When I tell people that I live in the neighborhood I grew up in, and consequently the one my parents still occupy, I’m often met with mixed responses. “Oh, I could never live that close to my parents,” some say. Others reply, “Oh my gosh, what I wouldn’t give to have family THAT close!” But let me tell you, it has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
It was never our (my husband’s and my) intention to live so near family. We spent a few years early in our marriage living quite a ways away. But, when we had a family of our own, we honestly could not dream up a better neighborhood than my old stomping grounds! So we moved.
At first, we were unsure how it would go. Being so close to people so dear can sometimes turn out to be a sour deal. This hasn’t been the case for us! In fact, it’s been to great mutual benefit and – what’s more- beautiful memories that we live simply three blocks away.
My children now know how to navigate their way to their grandparents’ house with no trouble whatsoever, at 6, 4, and 3 years old. They frequently ask to walk over after dinner for an (un)healthy dose of sugar, and 99% of the time they get just that! My kids have no understanding of how rare their relationship with their grandparents is, but I’m so thankful that this is their experience.
At the drop of a hat, we can be at each others’ side, taking care of tasks too great to handle alone. Many times I’ve called for help with a child only to be accompanied in less than a minute. We take out each other’s trash, mow each other’s yard, and feed each other’s animals. And it’s rare to go even three days without seeing each other.
I imagine that personality plays into whether or not you could live in such close proximity to your parents. But I’m so thankful that we do!