5 Reasons Why The “Home Team” Is Important*

I consider myself to be very lucky in that I come from a large, close knit family. Not particularly my immediate family which currently stands at six, my parents, my sister, my nephew, myself and my daughter, but our extended family. My mother was one of five, and I’m close to my three aunts and my grandmother, I also still live in the same town as all but four of my sixteen cousins so we see each other quite often. Although like all families, there have been ups and downs, fallings out and blow ups over the years, on the whole, we all keep up to date on each other and offer support when needed. This family, is my “Home Team“. Yes, I’m lucky in that I have some really good friends, they make up a different home team, they’re my chosen team, and sometimes because they don’t live nearby they’re easier to talk to, but sometimes that makes things harder. But because I don’t live near any of my friends, it makes my family even more important to me.

Today I’m sharing 5 reasons why a home team is important, whether you have two people in yours or twenty. It’s not the size that matters, but knowing you can rely on the people in it.

They’re There For You to Talk To
Your home team are the people you go to first, for the good and the bad. I’m a firm believer in having someone there to talk to as life these days is so hard. And although I believe in this firmly, I’m a stickler for letting all my worries build up until I’m on the edge of a melt down, but thankfully I have my home team to turn to. This week my Nanny spent almost 3 hours talking me through the stresses of Christmas and how to find practical solutions so I felt more at ease.

You’re There For Them to Talk To
In the same vein, you need to make yourself available to members of your home team to talk to. Family and friendship groups also drift apart for a number of reasons, but as long as those you’re close to and care about know you’re there if they need you, you’re supporting your team. Sometimes you may have to push your own problems aside but if someone you love comes to you for help, you need to be ready to listen. Being a part of a home team is very much a give and take system, like an honesty bar, but it’s very much worth it.

They Can Give You Tough Love
Whether you like it at the time or not, you sometimes need someone to give you tough love. Life is hard but sometimes we can let doom and gloom take over, but your home team is there to give you the shake or the push you need to get back on track. You need tough love from someone who cares about you unconditionally and that you trust they’re doing it for you own good. I often find i’m the person to give my sister tough love as my parents still very much shelter her, and my best friend Bee is the person who often gives me the tough love I require.

You Build Each Other Up
Like wise, when you’re feeling down and deflated, maybe going through a break up or losing a job, your home team is there to help pick you back up again. They bring the wine, let you crash on a couch, encourage you to practice self care. They tell you how amazing you are, and that you can do this. They help you get help if you need it. They also inflate your ego, which a lot of people need sometimes if they’re lacking in self confidence.

They’re Your Back Up
This is especially important if you’re a parent, more so a single parent like myself. These are the people who will happily watch your child with nothing in return. They’ll pick you up if you don’t have a car. They’ll help you out if you’re struggling financially. And they do this because they love you. Going through life alone is really hard for anyone, your home team is your back up and it’s one of the biggest reasons why they’re so important.