Family compounds? Pros & cons?

Lizardly
Tue, 11 Jan 2022 03:27:27 +0000

My grandma lived with us. She had her own room and helped take care of us kids. She was an easy to get along with, positive person and I loved her presence. My dad fought with her constantly. My mom did not but later admitted she has wished for time to be alone with us.

My dad grew up on a compound: one big house surrounded by several smaller ones on a downtown city block in small town. He loved it. Cousins, aunts and uncles, constant action. They were all in business together in a business that was against the law. That also drew them close!

H has a friend who lived in an urban compound for decades. He bought an apartment building. The friend, his wife, and their kids lived on the top flour, with her family in lower floors. The friend and his wife worked long hours and her sibs cared for the kids. One of her brothers stayed home for that purpose. When their kids grew up, some stayed at the compound and others moved out. The wife died and after that the friend sold the whole building.