Do You Take Your Family For Granted?  

Wow! You must have put a lot of thought into your response.

(That is sarcasm by the way)

I agree with you on that one and gave them a negative rating for effort. Afterall they did add an extra "o" to the word "no".

You make some good points and I agree. Entertaining everyone in your home can be extremely stressful.

What about times that you must travel to another's home for a celebration? Do these times fill you with stress or dread? How do you handle it?

Only at times does travelling to another family member's home has it become stressful for me. Mostly because I hate traffic and most of all don't really like flying, but I conquer this fear and stress by maintaining a good attitude about things, like for instance I will get to see family again, if flying I bring a long things that will keep me occupied. For the moments that tension starts while visiting said family member I am usually the one to break it by bringing out a board game or having everyone do a certain chore around the house. Yes I know this sounds weird since it is not my own home, but it has many times brought down the stress level of not only myself but also those that I am visiting with at the time.

This subject is one that is thought of and discussed a lot in my home. Both my husbands parents are gone so he is always reminding me to take every advantage available to see and enjoy my parents before they are gone.

My grandfather suffers from Alzheimer's and can no longer remember my children's names much of the time.

With all of my family living at least 1000 miles from me it is hard to see them as much as I would like, and I work very hard not to take my time with them for granted. However, I am still guilty of not making the kind of time I need to for them. I am always pushing a visit off for another month or even to the next holiday.

Oh please do not misunderstand me. I am not being judgmental to anyone or their families.

I too have family that I do not socialize with. I actually do not consider them family although we are related by blood. I do not feel that anyone that attempts to feed off of the negative aspects of your life, and treat you with such disrespect, deserves the recognition and title of "family member".

I grew up being the black sheep of my father's side of the family. As such, I do not waste a lot of my time with most of them. I do not feel obligated to subject my children to the same treatment that I was forced to endure. My son is 11, my daughter is 9, and my father's side of the family (with exception of my grandfather) has not seen my son since he was an infant, and they have never met my daughter.

So you know some of what I have been through. I mean my Grandma meant the world to me or I would have rebelled and not done what was expected of me.
Now the only family member I am close to is my Mum and I would do everything I can to help her and be a good daughter to her.
But the rest of them..... Polite Christmas cards and that was it this year. My uncle has not said more than hi and bye to me for the last about 20 years. I have never seen the apartment they own for about 15 years now. Never been there.
One of my cousins has not shown up at our wedding and that was shallow excuses too.
To be frank about it. The only person I would miss is my Mom.

Interesting point of view.

I am not sure that I agree that "everyone expects something", but I do respect your opinion.

I can relate with your point of view. I think a lot of people can these days. I have met a lot of people that are not terribly close to extended family, but are extremely close to their immediate family.

I am wondering if somehow the generation gap has become more vast over the last couple of generations, or if it has always been this way, but people are more honest about the distance within the family.

another brilliant response, you've earned yourself a "-". Good for you!

I love the positive spin that you are able to put on this subject. It is great to see that you are able to hold to the positive aspects of your relationship with your family instead of looking at the negative that can appear from time to time.

I have heard it said that "home is where you feel the best, but complain the most". I sometimes think that this applies to family relationships too. You tend to speak more freely and honestly to those that you are closest to, even when those words are not terribly pleasant.

yes,people have really forgotten the true meaning of christmas.Its supposed to be about family.And christmas is for kids,I believe.Its SUPPOSED to be the thought that counts,right?well,my sister in law said some hurtful things,because i got her 3 year old some care bear bubble bath!! Really hurt my feelings.We have had a rough year on money,so hurt even more..

lovely, Crystal, that new addition to your family. Hope you feel better soon.....