Familes are the best teams

My Nana once packed up her life and her three young children, travelling halfway across the world from Ireland to Australia, driven by nothing more powerful than love and the need to keep her family safe.

The love in that story still blows my mind. While my grandparents adored their new life in Australia, their hearts never left Ireland. They made unimaginable sacrifices because family was their greatest priority. 

The world may look different now, but the heart of parenting remains the same—protecting and guiding our children through life’s challenges. Keeping children safe is our number one job. For my grandparents, that meant leaving everything they knew behind to escape the troubles in Ireland. For us today, it’s navigating a modern world that’s equally full of challenges—an explosion of information, new dangers, and constant change.

But here’s what I’ve learned: families are the best teams. When we think of our family as a team, we start showing up differently, making decisions that benefit everyone. It’s not easy, and there will be moments of stress—forgotten shoes, homework not handed in, or the wrong-coloured cup at breakfast! But love, just like my grandparents showed, is the driving force that keeps us moving forward.

Here are three quick tips to keep your family team strong:

1. Connection: Make time to connect in little ways throughout the day.
2. Communication: Open, honest conversations are key, especially when things get tough.
3. Time: Prioritise checking in with one another—even a few minutes can make a difference.

As a family, setting simple "rules" can help create harmony without singling anyone out. In our family, we talk kindly, keep shared spaces tidy, and respect one another. These small guidelines create a sense of unity and support.

Being a team player means we’re in this for the long game. It may feel like it takes longer to address things now, but every moment of connection and communication is building a future where our children will feel safe, loved, and confident.

Just like my grandparents who navigated uncertainty with love as their compass, we can do the same. Even when we wobble, and there are tricky times, love will always guide us through.