What We Mean by "Family" Today (Modern Families at LittleBig.Family) | littleBIG.family

Families come in many shapes. LittleBig.Family is designed for all of them—because what matters isn't the structure, but the circle of care around each child.

Families Come in Many Shapes

Today's families look different from what many of us grew up with. That's not a problem to solve—it's reality. LittleBig.Family works for:

Single parents raising children with support from extended family, friends, or co-parents
Blended families where children have relationships with multiple parents and step-parents
Co-parenting arrangements where children move between households and have caring adults in each
Same-sex parents building families through various paths
Grandparents and relatives who are primary caregivers
Foster families, whāngai, and guardians providing care and stability
Close family friends who are part of a child's circle of care
Any constellation where adults are committed to a child's wellbeing

If you're actively caring for and supporting a child, you're part of their family—and LittleBig.Family is designed with you in mind.

Our Working Definition of "Family"

When we say "family," we mean the set of people who are actively committed to caring for, supporting, and raising this child—whether or not they live together, share a surname, or fit any particular template.

LittleBig.Family is about the circle of care, not legal or genetic boundaries. What matters is who shows up, who sees the child, who contributes to their growth and wellbeing. That's your family.

You don't need to fit a template. You don't need to have a "traditional" structure. You just need to be part of a child's circle of care, committed to their growth and wellbeing.

How LittleBig.Family Adapts to Different Constellations

The app is designed to be flexible. Here's how it works for different family structures:

Child with Two Homes

A child who splits time between two households can invite caring adults from both homes. Each parent can set up their own round, or you can coordinate to include everyone in one round. The app supports email-based invitations, so geography doesn't limit participation.

The child gets to see themselves through the eyes of all the adults who care for them, regardless of which house they're in on any given day.

Blended Family

In a blended family where some children share one parent and some share both, you can include everyone who matters. Step-parents, biological parents, and extended family from both sides can all participate.

The app doesn't assume a specific structure—you decide who to include based on who is actively part of each child's circle of care.

Grandparent as Primary Caregiver

When grandparents or other relatives are raising children, they can set up rounds that include biological parents (if they're involved), extended family, close friends, and other trusted adults.

The child benefits from seeing themselves through multiple perspectives, even if their primary caregiver is a grandparent rather than a parent.

Queer Families

Same-sex parents, families built through donor conception, surrogacy, or adoption—all are welcome. The app lets you name roles as you like ("Mum," "Papa," "Dad," "Mom," or whatever names your family uses).

You can include donors, surrogates, or other important people in a child's story if that feels right for your family. The structure is yours to define.

Flexible Role Naming

The app doesn't assume specific roles or relationships. You can name people however your family does: "Mum," "Poppy," "Aunty Jo," "Coach Alex," or any other term that reflects your family's language and culture.

This flexibility means the tool adapts to you, rather than asking you to adapt to it.

Equal Respect for All Caregivers

Research shows that children are very tuned to status and respect. They notice when some adults are treated as more important than others, and this affects how they see themselves and their place in the world.

LittleBig.Family is designed to treat all invited adults as legitimate voices. The app:

Doesn't rank one adult "above" another in the interface
Gives equal weight to feedback from all participants
Focuses on the child's experience and the relational system, not on family hierarchies
Uses language that assumes all caregivers are valuable and respected

This matters because when children see all their caring adults treated with respect, they learn that they themselves are worthy of respect, regardless of their family structure.

How to Set Up a Round Inclusively

Here are some practical considerations for setting up a family round in a way that honors everyone:

Choose Who to Include

Think about who is actively part of each child's circle of care. Include people who see the child regularly, who have meaningful relationships with them, and who are committed to their growth. You don't need to include everyone—just the people who matter.

Consider Readiness

Make sure each person you invite is ready for this kind of reflection. Some adults might need time to understand the process before participating. That's okay—you can start with a smaller circle and expand later.

Coordinate When Needed

If you're co-parenting and there are tensions, consider talking to co-parents beforehand. You might decide to do separate rounds, or you might find that the structured process actually helps create more connection. Trust your judgment about what will work for your situation.

Start Small If Needed

You don't have to include everyone in the first round. Start with your immediate circle—the people you're most comfortable with—and expand from there as the process becomes familiar.

Reassurance for Parents Who Feel "Different"

If your family doesn't look like everyone else's, you might wonder if this tool is for you. Here's what we want you to know:

You don't need to fix your family before using this. Your family structure isn't broken. It's just yours. LittleBig.Family is designed to work with whatever structure you have, not to judge it or change it.

Kids benefit from seeing their caring adults show up for them. When children see the adults in their life—however that circle is configured—coming together to reflect on them, celebrate them, and support their growth, it builds belonging and identity. The structure doesn't matter as much as the commitment.

The tool is designed to support clarity and connection, not to judge. There's no "right" family structure. There's just your family, and the people who care for your child. That's what matters.

If you're actively caring for a child, if you're committed to their growth and wellbeing, if you want to help them see themselves through the eyes of people who love them—then LittleBig.Family is for you. Your family is welcome here.

What We Mean by "Family" Today