A special thanks to Gabby Estrada, Dr. Thompson, and Kimberly McGilvray for taking time to provide their recounts so I can write this book and my students for providing me the inspiration.

Last, I dedicate this book to Sandy and David McGilvray for being the best parents anyone could ask for and more. If it wasn't for them I honestly don't know what my definition of family would be. With all the love in the world I write this mostly for you Granny and Pop.

In Memory of David W. McGilvray

Sept. 1, 1954 to June 7, 2016

Preview audio:

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Table of Contents

What is a Family?........................................................ Pg. 4

Nuclear Families ........................................................ Pg. 6

Adopted Families........................................................ Pg. 8

Brady Bunch Families................................................. Pg. 10

One Mom or One Dad Families................................. Pg. 12

Two Mom or Two Dad Families................................. Pg. 14

Wrapping It Up!........................................................... Pg. 16

Glossary........................................................................ Pg. 18

Work Cited.................................................................... Pg. 19

What is a Family?

The word family can be a very broad term and it usually means a group of people who love each other. There are many and diverse types of families! Some families have a mother, father, and kids. There are some with adopted moms and dads. Some with only a mom or dad. Some have two dads or moms. And some have a stepdad or stepmom! Families come in many different forms!

Nuclear Family

A family with a mom, dad, and kids are called nuclear families. The mom and dad are at the center of the family and the children revolve around them. Day to day decisions tend to be made by the parents. Most families are nuclear families.

Remembering with Dr. Thompson

At a young age Dr. Thompson went to a boarding school. Before then she had already visited Japan on her own. When she was dropped off at boarding school her mom told her "don't call till Wednesday". Little did she know that her mother was really trying to make Dr. Thompson do things for herself. Later Dr. Thompson found out her mom was crying after she dropped her off.

Adopted Families

Not everyone has the same parents that they were born with. Some people for many different reasons get adopted by another parent or parents. These families are called adopted families! They are cared for just like regular children.

Remembering with Dan Flores!

When I was little I remember every morning waking up to the smell of coffee and toast. I would sit at the breakfast bar in the kitchen and eat my cereal. My mom headed to her bedroom to get herself ready and my dad would stay drinking his coffee, reading his newspaper, and listening to NPR on the radio. That was normal to me. I think it was normal to my friends too.

Dan and his adopted family at Christmas

The Brady Bunch Family

Sometimes moms and dads separate. Sometime they remarry to someone who also separated from another mom and dad. If they both have kids and combine their families they are called a Brady Bunch Family. Two families then become one!

John Nation

Myndi

Ashley

Robbie

Michailah

Recounting with Friis and Nation Family!

John and Kim Nation dated for a while before they married. One day while deciding if they should get married they stepped outside and talked. Kim was worried how hard it would be to join the two families. John was upset.

When they walked back into the house they saw all of their kids working together cleaning the kitchen. Kim said that's when she knew they would be a family.

Benika

D.J.

Jonathan

John-Michael

Kim Nation

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