The Secrets to Happy Families
Without Prejudice
My Dad and 4 older siblings around the time I was born in Edinburgh
I come from a big happy family of seven, and two half siblings. We all talk, we all get along, all love and support each other. We haven't been without our fights, tragedies and vicious snits, but we have all stuck together for ever and ever and here are the secrets why.
Our parents number one goal was to have a big happy family. Mum had depression, Dad was a small time con man and not always faithful but they loved us and shared the same vision of the future. We were important to them and they had no bother telling us so. They also told us their histories, good and bad so that when we came to make our own mistakes we knew it was ok to fail, make mistakes and be good.
We communicated from day one. We were never treated as babies, more like thinking little adults. We were allowed to be ourselves, encouraged to be ourselves, and applauded for achievements. All my siblings are considerate, polite, successful people. Four are beyond wealthy and one was a Professional Singer, one a soldier who served his country and is a genius in computer technology, one a Nurse Manager, Four run their own businesses.
We are all older now, without parents any more. Well travelled because our parents, we went everywhere as children as our parents believed that travel broadened the mind. The U.K. Trinidad, Tabago, France, Papua New Guinea, Tahiti, New Zealand, Italy, Greece, North Africa, India, Egypt, Scotland, Curaçao, Panama, Fiji, Egypt, The Suez before it was closed.
We were expected to be open minded to all people. Gays that Dad knew from the music scene, Trannies, kiwis, poms, strippers, the Bee Gees when they were young, entertainers, we were expected to be broad minded, non racist, and accepting of all. We went everywhere with our parents, restaurants, clubs, movies, most states in Australia in the 50's and 60's, small country towns, the outback, cities, the Gold Coast. Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide.
We shared a dinner time and were all expected to have something to contribute. Good or bad. We became quick eaters, good at sports, had our own swimming relay team, taught music, acted, went to fine schools, a grammar school in England.
We played games all the time, ball sports, charades, backyard cricket, word games like hangman, danced, sang, entertained. Helped others less fortunate, that was important. We were expected to be healthy, fit, strong, to keep trying no matter what. We had good body images, told we were great and told off if we were wrong.
One brother has his Masters in Chinese, speaks fluent Indonesian and still tries to outsmart me on general knowledge, not a chance.
We are all happy people, successful in our own lives, and share a common goal, who ever has the most grand kids gets the tee shirt, so far I'm winning with thirteen and a great grand child. My parents would be thrilled. My mum said she should have had a dozen.and maybe she should have.
I come from a big happy family of seven, and two half siblings. We all talk, we all get along, all love and support each other. We haven't been without our fights, tragedies and vicious snits, but we have all stuck together for ever and ever and here are the secrets why.
Our parents number one goal was to have a big happy family. Mum had depression, Dad was a small time con man and not always faithful but they loved us and shared the same vision of the future. We were important to them and they had no bother telling us so. They also told us their histories, good and bad so that when we came to make our own mistakes we knew it was ok to fail, make mistakes and be good.
We communicated from day one. We were never treated as babies, more like thinking little adults. We were allowed to be ourselves, encouraged to be ourselves, and applauded for achievements. All my siblings are considerate, polite, successful people. Four are beyond wealthy and one was a Professional Singer, one a soldier who served his country and is a genius in computer technology, one a Nurse Manager, Four run their own businesses.
We are all older now, without parents any more. Well travelled because our parents, we went everywhere as children as our parents believed that travel broadened the mind. The U.K. Trinidad, Tabago, France, Papua New Guinea, Tahiti, New Zealand, Italy, Greece, North Africa, India, Egypt, Scotland, Curaçao, Panama, Fiji, Egypt, The Suez before it was closed.
We were expected to be open minded to all people. Gays that Dad knew from the music scene, Trannies, kiwis, poms, strippers, the Bee Gees when they were young, entertainers, we were expected to be broad minded, non racist, and accepting of all. We went everywhere with our parents, restaurants, clubs, movies, most states in Australia in the 50's and 60's, small country towns, the outback, cities, the Gold Coast. Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide.
We shared a dinner time and were all expected to have something to contribute. Good or bad. We became quick eaters, good at sports, had our own swimming relay team, taught music, acted, went to fine schools, a grammar school in England.
We played games all the time, ball sports, charades, backyard cricket, word games like hangman, danced, sang, entertained. Helped others less fortunate, that was important. We were expected to be healthy, fit, strong, to keep trying no matter what. We had good body images, told we were great and told off if we were wrong.
One brother has his Masters in Chinese, speaks fluent Indonesian and still tries to outsmart me on general knowledge, not a chance.
We are all happy people, successful in our own lives, and share a common goal, who ever has the most grand kids gets the tee shirt, so far I'm winning with thirteen and a great grand child. My parents would be thrilled. My mum said she should have had a dozen.and maybe she should have.
