It depends on how you use the word compound but it’s definitely true that family members find themselves living on the same street as their parents or siblings — more often than you might realize. This article in today’s Washington Post highlights three families in the Washington area doing just that.
Those of you of a certain age can remember hearing about the Kennedy Compound in McLean, Virginia, a series of homes/buildings all owned by one family. If you look up the word in the dictionary there are various meanings (two chemicals bound together, for example). In this case we’ll go with two or more elements or parts that make up a whole.
I have a friend who lives next door to her mother; a mini-compound? I recall a California family trying to move to Lakewood but the catch was a need for at least two homes next to each other; one for mom and one for them. I know of a family on the East side that built a huge home and a few other homes on the new street as well — for the children’s families. That qualifies as a real compound!
The Wash Post story, written by Linell Smith is very interesting. Linell calls the compounds ‘bastions of kinship and inter-generational support’ and says that even in a place like DC (when I lived there the average number of years someone stayed was three years) it’s not a rare occurrence anymore. One family member talks about how they take turns making dinner for everyone - one family has 31 members in their ‘compound!’ Peace Out - 3C
2 responses so far ↓
1 Kim Wood // Mar 1, 2008 at 6:20 pm
My uncle bought land to do this with our family. Didn’t work out. I could live close to my family though, we are very close.
Sharing meals is a great thought.
PS Nice sight!!
2 Carole Cohen // Mar 1, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Hi Kim and thanks; I’ve used up all my text widgets (limit of 9?) so I can relax for a while lol
This idea sounds intriguing to me, and yes especially for the sharing of meals. I gather it would work for families like yours that get along well lol. Or families who need to take care of parents and want them close by. Thanks for stopping by, Kim.
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