Family Reunion Tonight...

When I moved back to where my dad's side of the family lives for eight months, every birthday party, family BBQ, or a group of family memembers showing up unexpectedly at my dad's house was an nightmare for me, because it seemed no matter how hard I tried I was going to be different from them, they were never going to really like me, and I was going to be the black sheep. But still I'm thankful for the experience. One of things I did learn was that just because you're related to them doesn't mean you have to tell them everything. When they ask you what you've been up to, tell them just as much as you're comfortable with, and talk a lot about that. If they ask questions you're not comfortable answering don't. You have to set personal boundaries and not let them cross them. It's something I've always had a hard time with. The other thing I learned was that I wasn't the only one that felt like that at family get togethers, if you even have one relative you're sorta close to spend a lot of time around them and ask them about how they've been doing, about their kids, and things the like. The other thing I did, because I have so many younger second and third cousins, was spend time supervising and helping the children. Children usually aren't as harsh to handle, they make ask weird question out of their childhood nature, but they're not as prying as adults. And most of all be yourself, that's always the hardest part, but the biggest thing I learned from the time spent around my family was that I would rather be hated for the real me, for the real things I stood for and believed in, than loved for some mask and lies I could weave for them. I hope this helps you at least a little, because I know how daunting the whole experience can be. Good Luck and Best Wishes.

hi dear allyoftherain hope you survived that family reunion all right and Nenya wasnt too frightened about all these people invading your place as well. I am afraid I am not of much help when it comes to family reunions. As my beloved Grandma lived with us from the time I was 4 to the time I was 25 I had to put up a brave face almost every weekend when the family came to "visit Grandma" which I really disliked. It was boring, my mother got hectic before the gang arrived and every bite one of my older cousins and me ate was censored as we both were and still are overweight. I got out of the claws of the family when it came to these reunions when my beloved Grandma was no more and never had such a reunion in my own apartment when I had rented one and moved out successfully with 31 years old.

Probably too late, but smile and say "Fine"