The idea of a traditional family is far long gone at this point. The two parents, two children, dog and white picket fence idea of a family seems to be one of the past. Now, there are single parents, families with two dads, two moms, step parents, half siblings, among so many other possibilities. And although the 'conventional' ideas of family are diminishing, the 'unconventional' ideas aren't fully accepted. By definition, I would be classified as a child coming from a broken family. If an outsider looked in, they would see divorced parents, with step families involved, living in a single parent household. However, nothing about my family is broken, which is the ironic part. Just because my family does not fit the perfect mold that the word family is associated with, does not mean that my family is broken. My family is the farthest from broken. In fact, my family is a fully functioning, successful family, even though it is different.

When I was younger, I used to be embarrassed to talk about my family. I would see my friend's families and think about how perfect they were. How lucky they were to have two parents living under the same roof who loved each other. I did not want to talk about my family, my parents being divorced and all the turmoil that ensued with that. I never wanted to have people at my house, because I was embarrassed. But how that has changed.

When I look at my family now, there is nothing I am embarrassed about. The saying goes, "you can't pick your family" and that is exactly true. I have come to the realization of accepting everyone for who they are. There is no point in trying to change someone because you are going to get nowhere. Instead of looking at the flaws, I have begun to look at the positives. Everything that my 'broken' family has been through has made me stronger and the person that I am today. And quite frankly, I would not change anything for the world. My family is my family and I am proud to say that. At the end of the day, I would stick by each and every one of them. I may not agree with each person or like them, but I do love every single person. I am proud of who I am and where I come from and nothing can change that. I have learned that no one has a perfect family.

Every family has their own struggles, and that is what make each family unique. We are all struggling to survive and thrive in this world. But next time you judge someone else's family, take a look at your own. Worry about your own family before you worry about someone else's. Being different isn't bad, and being from a 'broken' family does not mean your family is broken. It mean that you were lucky enough to be in a situation to learn from and grow from.