Kimberly Steele

I don't live in this situation now, but this is essentially how I grew up. I lived in a trailer with my parents and siblings on my grandparents' farm. One aunt and uncle also lived in a trailer on the farm and my great grandfathers both lived in the farmhouse with my grandmother and grandfather. Everyone has spread out now, but even so, my parents live next door to my aunt and uncle and my grandmother lives in their basement apartment. And most of my cousins and extended family live in town. There are certainly drawbacks--LOTS of drama on my dad's side of the family--but huge benefits as well. I am glad we return often enough that my kids spend a ton of time with their grandparents and even great-grandparents. There is so much passing of knowledge that can happen when you have extended generations like that.