The festive season seems to shine a bright light on ‘family’. Massive meals, sparkly parties, foodie gatherings of every kind, and a fabulous Christmas dinner.

Traditions become important, and for many, memories of childhood Christmas hold a kind of magic with ideas about how things should be done. For the good and the bad, the family tree and the stories of the generations become visible on the faces of those around us.

For those bought up by non-birth parents – with non birth-grandparents, and uncles, aunties and cousins – this can feel complicated. It can be a challenge to feel a sense of belonging when a shared DNA is missing from the picture.

But Growing Me knows (along with all those wonderful families out there) that family is so so much more than sharing DNA!

DNA is just the beginning.

Since we now know so much more about whats happening inside us, its good to remember that neuroscientists now call all parents biological parents. This is because the developing brain and body systems grow in accordance with ever interaction a child experiences. Quite literally, children grow into family.

We belong, not because we share DNA, but because we share lives.

It is the eating of the meals and the sharing of traditions, the making of new magic and sharing of good giggles that make family feel like family.