Spotlight on Families

So, each month I would like to do something to celebrate families...all families! Growing up I never saw families like mine. I take that back, I did see families like mine periodically, but I was always surprised to learn that there were families like mine. I grew up in your typical nuclear family (2 parents, a daughter, a son, and a dog), but being an interracial family added an extra layer of uniqueness to us. In addition, Due to death and divorce, my extended family on both sides was/is largely blended. I think I counted that at one time I have had 8 grandparents (not great-grandparents)! Don't get me started on aunts, uncles, and cousins!

So, if you are part of a unique family, please let me know! Your family will be featured on here. I'll include an abbreviated family tree, photo (you provide) and biographical information. I'm looking for: large families, small families, blended families, interracial families, interfaith families, adoptive families, gay/lesbian families, donor families, and everything in between!

Share your family with me!

I guess I will kick it off with my own family! How lovely we are:
Family: Woodard/Campbell Family
Family Members: Our immediate family includes my husband Murad, our son Joel and our two dogs, Sampson & Maya. Our extended family includes: Abbygail Deal-Campbell (Murad's daughter) Ken & Barbara Woodard (Ashlea's parents), Ryan Woodard (Ashlea's brother), Joel & Barbara Campbell (Murad's parents) Fatimah Jefferson (Murad's mother), Qadree Campbell (Murad's brother), Ricky Robinson (Murad's maternal half brother), Colin Smith (Murad's paternal stepbrother)
What Makes Our Family Unique? We are truly a blended family in every sense of the word. I grew up in traditional family with my parents and younger brother. My father is African-American and my mother is white. Both of my parents worked, but my mother was the breadwinner. I grew up in a Christian household. Murad was raised mostly by his father and grandparents, as his parents divorced when he was young. His grandmother, who was born in the Dominican Republic, influenced his love of Caribbean culture. Murad grew up in a Sunni Muslim household.
How do we make it work? We plan to expose our son to a variety of different cultures, but give him a solid foundation as well. We surround ourselves around people who are making a difference in the world and we cherish time spent as a family. Although we do not see her often, we try to expose my stepdaughter to different cultures and provide her with experiences not readily available in her small town. In addition, we create our own traditions that we hope both of our children will continue.

A Tale of Two Articles

My dream of being a writer just got a little boost! One of my articles was chosen to be featured on the website for the company with whom I freelance!!! I am so excited. I wrote two articles. One was on single-parenting and the other was about step-parenting. The article about step-parenting was chosen! I would like to thank all the single mothers who let me interview them on their experience, especially Mercedes Williams-Foxworth who provided valuable insight. I would also like to thank all the stepmothers who provided insight, my husband who helped me make some edits and, ultimately, my stepdaughter! Without my stepdaughter Abby, I would not have the inspiration to write on a topic with which so many step-parents struggle.
I will post my original articles and then I will post the abbreviated website version of the step-parenting article.