Hi everyone,
So I need some advice.
My mum passed when I was a teenager and it left a huge void in my life. At the same point my best friends family really took me in. My best friends mum and dad embraced me as family. I met them when I was 16 and my mum passed when I was 18.
They made sure I was okay, had a place to go, filled my cupboards with food and played an important role in my life.
Encouraging my education, teaching me how to drive and being friends in general tbh. but also taking a parental role, they absolutely would be honest and say I was making a wrong choice when i was doing so.
They stepped in when I had nothing and we've built a bond over the years and I see them as family, as they see me.
My pregancy was really difficult and there was a worry over complications with the pregancy. I went straight to my best friends mum as my best friend had a lot of health problems when they were born.
Again they were there for me.
When I was getting married they were helping me plan, travel to venues/businesses and were always a safe place to go to, to feel at home. Ever since my mum passed I've spent Xmas at theirs. Once my baby was born I've always referred to them (with their consent) as gran and papa. However my in laws really don't approve and keep saying that it will confuse my baby/toddler as they grow. I need some advice on how to solve this situation.
My daughter is very much a grandchild to them and they welcome us as family. However my in-laws absolutely hate it. It makes a really uncomfortable situation to try and explain (Often ends with an 'agree to disagree'). My husband is slightly uncomfortable with non-blood being called family but understands why it is important to me and that the love and care expands to our daughter.
So some questions...
Has anyone had a similar expirence?
How did you manage the in-laws/blood family?
How did you explain found family to your little one, and how did it play out?