Meet my Family - Day 9

Day 9 – Meet my Family

Today you are going to visit a local family. The size and the composition of families vary a great deal from country to country. In places like Japan, Canada, Australia, South Africa, the United Kingdom and Germany, families are typically quite small. Most parents have 1 to 2 children and once children grow up and get married they usually live separately from their parents. This is not the case in the United Arab Emirates, Mexico, Malaysia or in Chile. In these countries, the families are often larger and members of the extended family live together for most of their lives. Scroll down to ‘meet’ a typical family from Canada.

Canadian Family

This is my family - the Williamsons. We’re a pretty typical Canadian family. When I was younger we lived in a small town (Almonte) in the province of Ontario, Canada. Approximately 5000 people live in Almonte. It is located 30 kilometres from Ottawa, the capital city of Canada.

My family is currently made up of five people. My dad, Ron, is on the left-hand side of the picture. He is married to my mom, Leslie (she’s the one in the blue dress). My parents have been married for 35 years! Together they had two children, Leigh (the one in the wedding dress) and me, Rachel. I’m the one in the black dress. In this picture my sister, Leigh, has just gotten married to her fiancée, Andrew (he’s the one in the grey suit!). This picture was taken in July 2012.

Activity 1

Now that you have met my family it is time to think about your own family. On your blog tell us about your family. How many people are in your family? Do you have any brothers or sisters? What are their names?

Answer:

In my family I have two brothers with a great mum, the oldest, Thomas lives in Ranui. His 33 years old. My other brother, Antonio lives here in Glen Innes. His 27 years old.

Activity 2

Some families are very large and some are very small. Some of the smallest families are found in China where parents are allowed, by law, to have only one child. This is quite different from countries like America (U.S.A.) where some families have as many as 19 or 20 children. It is rare but it does happen!

In America, there is actually a family with 19 children who have their own television show called ’19 Kids and Counting.’ All 19 children have the same two parents (Jim Bob and Michelle) and every single one of the children has a name starting with the letter ‘J.’ The oldest children is a boy named Josh and the youngest is a girl named Josie. Amazing!

If you’d like to see a small clip from the show, follow this link: 19 Kids and Counting

Imagine that you were one of the Duggar children and you had 18 brothers and sisters. What do you think it would be like to have so many sisters and brothers living with you in one house? On your blog please tell us what you would like and what you wouldn’t like about living in such a large family.

Answer:
If I lived in a family with 18 brothers and sisters, I think there would be a good side to it and a bad one. First I probably wouldn't have much space. I would have to share a room with about 4 of my siblings. But on the other hand there would be a lot of support. Which I love the most about having a large family (even though my one is small.) They will always be there for you, especially when you need it the most.

wouldn’t like about living in such a large family.

Bonus Activity

Choose a family member and conduct a short interview. In the interview ask them five questions about themselves:

1. What is your name?
2. Where were you born?
3. How many siblings do you have?
4. What is your favourite thing about living in New Zealand?
5. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Why?

Post the answers on your blog.    

(My brother Antonio answered these questions.)

1. What is your name? Antonio Manuel Tameilau.
2. Where were you born? Glen Innes, Auckland.
3. How many siblings do you have? Two siblings.
4. What is your favourite thing about living in New Zealand? The people, there are always nice people that welcome you here. Even though I've known them for all my whole life.
5. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Why? I would go back to Samoa, because I just can't get enough of all the rock pools filled with large turtles. I love feeding them with small fish.