‘Every family has their THING. But, whether or not your family has it figured out, I hope you’ll consider a small piece of advice.’: Woman encourages others to make this their family’s ‘thing’

“Every family has their ‘thing.’ Some families are rich as sin and sponsor all of the things and host all of the parties.

Some families have kids on the football team.

Some families raise geniuses who are writing cancer grants by the age of 16.

Some families have fifteen kids whose names begin with the same letter.

Some families have three-year-olds who play piano and can speak three languages.

Some families wear coordinated pajamas in their Christmas cards.

And, you know what? All of that is great.

Every family has their THING.

But, whether or not your family has your ‘thing’ figured out, I hope you’ll consider a small piece of advice:

Be the family that is generous.

Be the family that is humble and honest about the mistakes and shortcomings of your kids.

Be the family that can be happy for other children’s successes, and not feel the need to posture or force your kids to compete.

Be the family that loves one another and cares about doing the right thing.

Be the family that knows the name of the neighbor’s dog.

Be the family that cares about the world around them, and always leads with love.

Some families will raise valedictorians. Some will raise a homecoming queen. Very few families are raising D1 athletes. Even fewer will raise a rocket scientist.

But, oh, to raise the kids who treat strangers kindly. Who pick up stray pieces of trash. Who laugh loudly at the new kid’s jokes.

To raise the kids who share their chips with a hungry classmate. Who admit when they’ve made mistakes. Who lead with humility and grace.

Talent, wealth, beauty, and social graces are all well and good (I suppose). But, I believe with all of my heart, this world would be a better place if families stopped the comparison wars, and set aside their competitive natures.

And, if we chose to make LOVE and KINDNESS our thing.”

This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Mary Katherine Backstrom. Mary’s book Mom Babble: The Messy Truth about Motherhood is available here. Follow Mary on Instagram here.  Submit your story here, and be sure to subscribe to our best love stories here.

Read more from Mary here: 

‘Mrs. Cynthia, I want to have dark skin like you. Why is your skin so dark?’ My heart stopped.’: Mom urges talking to your children about differences after tender moment with Waffle House employee

‘My husband is a hottie. But his blue eyes and brilliant smile aren’t what make him The Sexiest Man Alive. His fatherhood does.’: Wife swoons over husband’s ‘sexy’ traits taking care of their kids

‘HOW OLD ARE YOU?’ The man yelled. ‘Five,’ the boy mumbled. ‘THEN ACT LIKE IT,’ he growled.’: Mom appalled by father’s rude behavior at Disney World, ‘I was livid. Kids are freaking kids’

Provide beauty and strength for others.  SHARE this story on Facebook with your friends and family