I was driving Mackenzie to work one day and we were talking about the big grand opening festivities that Mast was having over the weekend. I mentioned to her that one of the bands that was going to be playing there had a cousin of ours in it. 
Bear in mind he’s a distant cousin, but a cousin none-the-less. I started to explain to her that ‘his mother and Gamps’ mother were sisters’ when she just shook her head and said “our family has a lot of cousins and is very confusing”.
Welcome to blended families.
Ever since the first couple had the courage to break the norm and get divorced and then possibly remarried, families have become more and more blended over the years. The fact that college graduates quite often leave home for the ‘big city’ and meet their partners or spouses there, adds to the mix. What used to be a pretty homogenous and typical family now looks quite different.
There are rarely the big annual get togethers where you were guaranteed to see your favorite cousins and get your fill of Auntie kisses. Grandparents rarely take on all their grandkids at one time, so getting to grow up with your cousins isn’t the same as when I grew up. I was SO close to all my cousins on both sides of my family and today, my kids barely know theirs.
It can be kinda sad when you stop to think about it.
Bring in Hollywood to let us know that we’re not alone or that while we think we may be crazy, there is ALWAYS a family around that’s crazier than yours!! Netflix offers a huge assortment of shows and movies that showcase families that are the ‘new’ norm.. gone is the dominance of the Cleavers.. hello!! even the Brady’s were blended!! They have a new series, Grace and Frankie, starring Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda as two women forced to reinvent their lives when their husbands leave them… for each other!
Other great titles from Netflix that focus on non-traditional families include:
Love some of these shows and have even told the girls that this summer WILL bring a GG marathon so they can all see what a great show it is. Because no matter what a family may look like, we can all agree that coming together to laugh or cry over a movie or a show is pretty much the same all over!!
We’re big fans and long-time and customers of Netflix and I am proud to be a member of the Netflix Stream Team. I received a Netflix subscription and a streaming device in return for posting Netflix updates and reviews. Of course, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I’ve never watched Gilmore Girls, but I think I just have to put this on the list. So many friends tell me how good it is!!
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