What is an Extended Family?

Extended Family
An extended family refers to a person’s relatives outside the immediate inner-circle, also known
as the nucleus. The nuclear family is the parents and their children (whether adopted, foster or
biological). The extended family could include grandparents, aunts and uncles too. They don’t all
have to live together, but many do as it’s a way of supporting each other emotionally and
financially.

Who can be part of an extended family?

Every extended family is different. The relatives or near-relatives might include:

Grandparents: A grandparent is a parent of a person's parent, whether that be a

maternal or paternal grandmother or grandfather. In some cases, grandparents can
help to care for their grandchildren if the parents are unable to.

Great-grandparents: A great-grandparent is a grandparent of a person's parent. So,

they are two generations removed from the person in question. In rare cases, great-
grandparents may help to care for their great-grandchildren.

Aunts and uncles: An aunt is a sister of someone's parent, while an uncle is a brother
of someone's parent. Aunts and uncles can play an important role in a child's life,
offering love and support.

Nieces and nephews: A niece is the daughter of someone's sibling, while a nephew is
the son of someone's sibling. Nieces and nephews are not related by blood to the
person in question, but they are still considered to be family.

In-laws: In-laws are the parents of someone's spouse or partner. They can become
like a second set of parents and may even help to care for their grandchildren.

Close friends: Close friends can sometimes feel like family, even though they are not
related by blood. They can offer the same support and love as any other member of
an extended family.

How do you maintain those relationships over time?

It's important to keep in touch with your extended family, even if you don't live close by.
Technology has made it easier than ever to stay connected, so there's no excuse not to pick up
the phone or jump on a video call every now and then. If you do live close by, make an effort to
spend time together. Attend family gatherings and events, even if you're not the biggest fan of
your relatives.

The important thing is that you make an effort to maintain those relationships. You may not
always see eye-to-eye with your extended family members, but it's important to remember that
you are all still family.

What are the benefits of having a strong extended family network?

There are many benefits to being part of an extended family. Some of these include:
 Emotional support: Family members can provide emotional support during tough
times. They can be a shoulder to cry on or a listening ear.

Practical support: Family members can offer practical support, such as help with
childcare, cooking or cleaning.

Financial support: Family members can offer financial assistance if needed. This
could be in the form of loans or gifts.

A sense of belonging: An extended family can provide a sense of belonging and

community. This can be especially beneficial if you don't have close friends or live far
away from your immediate family.

An extended family can offer many different things to its members. It's up to each
individual to decide what role they want to play within the family.

What are some fun activities that everyone in the extended family can enjoy
together?

There are many different activities that extended families can enjoy together. It all depends on
the interests of the family members. Some ideas include:

Organising a family reunion: This is a great way to catch up with distant relatives.

Going on a family vacation: This can be a great opportunity to bond and make new
memories.

Attending a sporting event: Cheer on your favourite team together.

Organising a family game night: Play some fun board games or card games.

Going out to eat: Enjoy a meal together at your favourite restaurant.

Volunteering for a local charity: Give back to your community together.

Doing a group activity, such as hiking or painting: This can be a fun way to spend
some time together.

Hosting a family dinner or picnic: This is a great way to catch up with everyone in the
family.

No matter what you do, the important thing is that you spend time together as a family. This will
help to strengthen your relationships and create lasting memories.

How do you deal with difficult family dynamics?

It's not always easy to get along with every member of your extended family. There may be some
relatives that you just don't see eye-to-eye with. If this is the case, it's important to remember that
you don't have to force a relationship. You can still be polite and cordial, but you don't have to go
out of your way to spend time with them.

Your children may also have difficulty getting along with certain relatives. If this is the case, it's
important to talk to them about it. Help them to understand that not everyone is going to be their
best friend and that it's okay to have disagreements. Encourage them to be respectful and try to
work out their differences.

If family gatherings are causing you or your children stress, it's okay to sit them out. You don't
have to attend every event or get-together. It's also perfectly acceptable to take a break from
talking to difficult relatives. If you need some time to cool off, take it. You don't have to explain
yourself to anyone.

At the end of the day, you have to do what's best for you and your little ones. Don't let someone
else's bad attitude ruin your day or cause you stress. You can't control the actions of others, but
you can control how you react to them.

What if you don't have a strong extended family network?

If you don't have a strong extended family network, there are other ways to find support. Here
are some ideas:

Join a community group: There are many different types of community groups, such
as hobby clubs or sports teams. These can be a great way to meet new people and
make friends.

Volunteer: Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community and meet new
people. There are many different types of volunteering opportunities available, so
you're sure to find one that interests you.

Get involved in your child's school: Get involved in your children's school community.
This could involve attending parent-teacher meetings, helping out on school trips or
joining the PTA.

There are many different ways to find support, even if you don't have a strong extended family
network. As a parent, it's important to reach out and make an effort to meet new people.

Tips for building or strengthening your own extended family network

Here are some tips for building or strengthening your own extended family network:

Reach out to distant relatives: If you have relatives that you don't see very often, make
an effort to reach out to them. Send them a birthday card, give them a call or invite
them over for dinner.

Make time for family: Make time for family gatherings, even if they're not big events.
Get together for a meal, go on a day trip or just have a catch-up.

Create traditions: Traditions are a great way to create lasting memories and build
stronger bonds within the family. Whether it's a special holiday dinner or an annual
camping trip, these traditions will help to bring everyone closer together.

Resources to Help Explore the Extended Family:

Family Tree Templates

My Family Activity Booklet

In My House Drawing Activity

Recipe for a Special Family