My Story- 

I am a mother of two, but I've never given birth.  I think I fall in to what may be termed the "new normal" or the unconventional family or a family that has been grafted so to speak.  We are out there in full force, single moms, single dads, grandparents raising their grandchildren, foster parents, adoptive parents, kin-care, come stay with me an I'll take care of you and love you forever types of situations.  And this is just a small listing of what constitutes family and of what constitutes parents. 

My situation goes like so;  I have a sister who had two children at a somewhat early age.  She cannot take care of them, for a host of reasons not to be shared here, (there is a very uncommittal and elusive sperm donor out there somewhere equally unequipped and unmotivated) so I stepped in, made it legal, and started a journey with a then 3 and 4.5 year old respectfully.  MyBoy who is 18 months older than MyGirl is now 7 she is 5.

Luckily, I am there aunt, and now their everything parent rolled into one.  Don't get me wrong, I get help...lots of help. But as far as the parenting for life phenomena goes,  Its just the three of us, because I'm single and have never married at this point in my life.  Maybe that will change in the future, but for now it is what it is.

Why Start a Blog?

I need encouragement, I need to bounce my ideas off someone or something, I need a witness to my life, so I decided to start this blog.  Not only in hopes that I will be helped, but that in connecting with others who have kids and the myriad of life situations that come from that, others may be helped as well.  Connecting with others who share similar situations, dreams, troubles, etc. is cathardic and is proven to be beneficial in the long term.  So let's connect.

Who Belongs here?

I think there is a place for everyone here to contribute.  Grafted Tree families, traditional families, unconventional families, families to be.  In the spirit of connection I'm not going to turn away any wisdom or ideas or stories that are likely to edify the people who frequent this blog.  So feel free to share.

About the Grafted Tree

I chose the name and symbolism of the grafted tree for this simple reason.  Imagine, two separate living organisms cut off at some point in their existance and fused together to make a new (fruit producing) unique life. A totally distinct organism from where the two separate parts came from.  It's and incredible thought, and it's done with trees as well as families.