Moving back to my hometown means my kids get more time with their cousins and grandparents, and my husband and I get more date nights

"Four years ago, my spouse and I moved from Georgia to my small hometown in Kansas. We wanted our boys, now 6 and 8, to grow up near family. Not only is our current home where I grew up, but it's also where most of my paternal family lives. That includes my parents and brother, three sets of aunts and uncles, plus four of my cousins and their families. And that's just IN town, with more cousins living within an hour's drive."

"Living so close to family means my kids are growing up with their cousins It's ideal for playdates and sports; my sons often play on the same teams as the other kids in our family, and even when they're playing against each other, we get to see everyone in action. In our local elementary school, there are seven cousins (actually second cousins - my kids, and my cousins' kids), with three of them in the same grade."

"My mom also works at the school and brings my kids home daily. Having so many close in age also means we can carpool in a pinch, have playdates, or share information on upcoming events. Once the kids get older, they'll be allowed to host and attend sleepovers with their cousins. In a time where this childhood norm has become taboo, I'm excited that there are adults we trust enough so our kids can have these memories."

A family moved from Georgia to a small Kansas hometown to raise two boys near extended paternal family. Most paternal relatives live in town or within an hour, enabling frequent interactions with cousins and easy access to grandparents, aunts, and uncles. The children regularly share sports teams, playdates, and school activities with their cousins, with seven second cousins attending the same elementary school. Grandparents provide daily pickup and flexible childcare, enabling carpooling and last-minute support. Trusted relatives allow sleepovers and spontaneous caregiving, and parental nights out are more frequent thanks to nearby family assistance. Overall proximity creates social, logistical, and emotional support.

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