Stories about different kinds of families

The idea of a ‘perfect’ family can feel a bit outdated because families come in all shapes and sizes. What really matters is having people around you who offer love, support, and a sense of belonging.

Whether your family is biological, chosen, blended, or a bit of everything, your experience is valid. We spoke to three young people about what family means to them and here’s what we learned from their stories.

Life in a rainbow family

For Jesse, having two mums has been a normal part of life. While their family is fun, loving and carefree, they’ve also faced challenges like bullying from people who don’t understand their family structure.

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Here are some key takeaways from Jesse’s experience:

• Your family is your normal, and that’s the only one that matters.

• It can be tough when others don’t get it, but finding a community of people with similar experiences, like the Rainbow Families group Jesse joined, can make you feel supported and understood.

• A loving family, no matter what it looks like, can teach you important values like being open and accepting of everyone.

Finding a chosen family

Sometimes, family are the people you find along the way. After feeling lonely and out of place, Andrew discovered his chosen family at the Bankstown Poetry Slam – a community that gave him a sense of belonging he hadn’t found anywhere else.

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Here’s what we can learn from Andrew's story:

• Family isn't always biological. You can find your people in places where you share a passion and feel accepted for who you are.

• A chosen family can be a safe space to have conversations and explore parts of your identity that you might not feel comfortable sharing with your biological family.

• Connecting with people from different backgrounds and perspectives is a powerful way to grow as a person.

Navigating a blended family

When families change, it can take some time to adjust. Griffin’s parents divorced when he was eight, and his family is now a blend of different households. He’s found that being part of multiple family units has its own unique strengths.

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What Griffin’s experience shows us:

• Being part of a blended family can mean you get to belong to different communities and connect with people in different ways.

• Open and positive communication between parents or carers can make a huge difference when you’re navigating change.

• It’s okay to focus on the positives of your situation, whether that’s getting two Christmas presents or feeling included in lots of different activities.