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Do you like your relatives?

No, not at all. I love one sister and a few cousins and that’s it. Dysfunctional, manipulative, abusive and I include my mother in this.
 
Nope.

When I was younger my parents would routinely compare me to my (younger, male) cousins and tell me to be more like them. The way I sat, the way I spoke, the things I liked to do, the things I didn't like to do.
Yeah, my parents both wanted a boy. :rolleyes:

As an adult - outside of my parents I really don't even talk to any of my family.
My mum is offended by this. But I grew up on the other side of the world from anyone I'm related to, in a completely different culture, no real surprise I'm not close with anyone.
We've got racism, classism, sexism, ableism, weight-ism, career-ism, religion-ism, every other sort of I'm-better-than-you-ism that you could possibly come up with.
And the drama - I swear, some of these people could concoct a several-season soap opera series from spilt milk.

No thanks! :shock:
 
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I have a lot of great cousins, aunts and uncles. My issues are with my divorced parents. They raised us but made little effort to develop close relationships with me and my sister. Now they are older and want to be closer and I don’t. I think they see the great relationships we have with our kids and wish they had that. I don’t dislike them but I don’t actively like them either.
 
I don’t speak to anyone in my biological family, they are just so dysfunctional. It’s not just me either because my two brothers don’t even speak to each other. It’s like total ambivalence which is worse than hate because at least hate requires some energy. Anyways, I’ve accepted that I was born into the wrong family.

My husbands family…..tough relationship with my SIL at times. I’ve caught one of his aunts spreading rumors about me that were just completely untrue. Everyone else is fine, we’ve had our moments but I’ve just resolved to try to get along with everyone. I don’t want tension or problems, when I see them at holidays I just want to have a nice time.

So to answer the question, no real feelings either way about my family, my husband’s family, I like for the most part.
 
I was going to bite but I’m going to hold my tongue. :shock:
 
I love my parents dearly, in spite of their flaws, which old age is magnifying a bit. I grew up always knowing they love me and my sister, and they worked hard to give us opportunities they never had, while also teaching us the value of hard work. My sister and I get along fine now that we're adults, though if we weren't related we wouldn't be friends. The only thing we have in common is the people who gave birth to us. We could hardly be more different.

As for extended family, I have good memories of my mother's family from childhood, but in the intervening decades they've all become gun totin' crazies. I see them once a year, and they don't bother to show interest in my life, other than "How's the big city treatin' ya?". Frankly, I consider it a major victory that none of them are openly racist to my husband.
 
I actually asked to see my birth certificate as a child because I thought I got mixed up with another baby at the hospital. I couldn’t believe I was born into my family..I love them but don’t like some of them. :lol:
 
I ADORE my sister!!!!! Absolutely adore!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everyone else is tolerable I think.

If I don't look into the baggage with my parents and take on a parental role with them, it's actually fairly pleasant.

I'd say they're all ok with the exception of my little sister who is amazing. She's my baby, child, best friend, sibling all rolled into one.
 
I love my parents and sister, but living far away from them has really amplified our differences.
Since 2016 (same here, @Mreader) there is a great divide.
My dad is a racist with no filter. My mom follows his lead. When I call on the phone, I avoid discussing certain subjects like the plague. I should visit more often, but it would be stressful.
 
Love both my father's and my mother's families. I've always wished we lived closer and that I could've raised my kids surrounded by them.

My mom was one of 12. A lot of them live in California and while they are opinionated and have their differences, they are always there for each other. They get together for every occasion and holiday and they don't only include their families but close friends, many of whom now consider themselves part of the family. Gatherings can be the size of a small wedding. And when not together, they are always calling and checking in with each other.

My father has two half-sisters and was always close to them and their families. He had multi-organ failure once when visiting them and was hospitalized for months. Their entire family was at the hospital every day...even their grown kids visiting multiple times a week. His stepmother's siblings and their children all treat my family like blood relatives.

My dh's family is totally different. I hate it and don't understand it.

(My father travelled a lot so my mother, brother and I spent many summers out in California. I always felt like I was the tag-along forced upon my pretty and popular California cousins. But their recollection is that I was the "cool East coast cousin")
 
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I know how lucky I am to be able to say this - yes! I mean, I have some relatives I don’t like and have a complicated relationship with, but they are not closely related to me. Everyone I’m close to are lovely and genuinely caring!
 
I have very few relatives as three of my grandparents and my dad were only children! My only uncle is unmarried so I have no cousins. It would have been quite good, I think to have one or two more people around, growing up.
 
Yes, I absolutely love my family! There were 4 children when I was growing up & my parents went above & beyond to give us a secure, happy home that was full of laughter & love. We never went without but we were also raised with a solid work ethic & to be the very best that we could be, no matter our abilities.

My mother was an only child & my father had 4 siblings, who ALL went on to have 4 children of their own. My cousins are plentiful & scattered far & wide these days, but we catch up at infrequent weddings & funerals, plus social media helps.

My own family are all local - we live scattered across 4 different villages within the same County. We've all travelled & lived abroad, but ultimately settled back near to home. We lost my dad suddenly when I was 27 & that really cemented our bond & our love & support for each other & for our mum. Between the 4 of us we now have 9 children & Covid aside, we get together & celebrate every single birthday at each others homes. Our children are all good friends & twice each year, we all pack up & head down to a huge old farmhouse on the Ise of Anglesey in North Wales, which has been in my family forever & is mostly let out as holiday rental, for a long weekend of beach walking, lovely food, games & drinks. There are kids & dogs running everywhere, muddy wellies, no sleep, racing games running up the main staircase & hurtling down what was the Servants staircase at the far end against a timer & plenty of hangovers. We are heading down a week tomorrow for the first sime since Oct 2019 thanks to Covid, so we are all excited. Exotic holidays have nothing on the muddy family farmhouse holidays & we are very lucky that we all really like each other.
 
Get ready for a mushy love fest. You have been warned.

I love my parents. My sister and I lucked out no two ways about it. Couldn't have gotten better parents.
Supportive, loving, generous, always there for us no matter what. Our childhood was a dream because of them.
My genetics might not be great health wise but I would not even consider trading better genetics for different parents. My dad is the best man I know (besides my dh) and my mom is and always was there for us no matter what. They might have spoiled us a bit too much but we turned out OK. They are down to earth and kind and everyone who knows them adores them.

I love my sister. She is kind, sweet, smart, fun and overall a wonderful human being.
And my nieces. Where do I begin. Never have I known such wonderful young people who think of others first.
From a young age they were always helping others and would give you the food out of your mouth if you asked for it.
They donate their hair regularly to c charity supporting children with cancer. Their idea no one else's.
They are truly good and kind and caring and generous and so smart and talented. I am so proud of them and words cannot do my feelings justice.

My first brother our boxer dog. I loved him with all my heart. He was my brother. My parents adopted him when my mom became pregnant with me. It was the one condtion my dad had when he proposed to my mom 3 weeks after their first date. He said I want to get a dog. She said when I am pregnant then we can get one since she will be home with me anyway. He was a delight. My parents had never had any animals in their family and he brought them much love and joy. When he died it was the first time I saw my dad cry. Our first dog died too soon. He was 9. RIP A. We will always love you.

I adored my grandmother. My mom's mom. When she died it was a devastating time. It was unexpected (asthma attack) and I was in my twenties. We were so close. I spoke to her on the phone daily. I visited her once a week. I still cry over losing her. I feel the pain still so deeply. It was a terrible loss. My mom got so sick for years after from the trauma. My dad loved her like a mother. She was pure and good and I swear there was a halo around her head. She truly was a wonderful kind loving beautiful person.

I loved my grandfather. My mom's dad. But he was difficult. He had a challenging childhood and left home at 14 due to a nasty stepmother. He joined the army and fought in the war. He was a tough cookie. He made life difficult for those he loved. My poor grandmother endured much with him. If this was today I would have urged her to leave but sadly I was young and life was different. It was a different time. But she had much love and joy despite his difficult personality. And we loved him despite himself. He worked hard for his family. I respected him and yes loved him but it was hard at times liking him. There was nothing he wouldn't do for us. Deep down he was a good person. May he RIP.

I love my aunt and uncle. Mom's brother and sister in law. They live in another state. But we do see them and we love them. They are very different than us. But very warm. They are lovable know it alls. That is the best way I can describe them. They are warm and loving and generous but they think they know everything and are always right. We all know some know it alls. Their saving grace is they are very lovable. That's them. :)

My dad's parents. We had no real relationship with them. They were polar opposites to my dad. Where he is kind and loving and generous and smart and funny etc they were miserly, mean, nasty, small minded, and yes evil. Sad it was that way and how the heck my dad turned out how he did I will never know but thank goodness. I remember having forced visits with them. From an early age I didn't like them. Remember I am very intuitive. And they felt it because I didn't fake my feelings. Eventually my parents stopped making us visit them. They were not nice people and I feel badly my mom had to endure them all the years she did. They died a very long time ago. Way before my mom's parents and I barely remember them TBH. But I will always remember how they made me feel. Icky.

I love my DH. Of course he is family I chose but still. I lucked out in terms of partners. Yes I took my time before getting married because I never wanted to thinking I could never meet someone and have a marriage as amazing as my parents do. And it took some time to convince me too lol. But thankfully I decided to give marriage a chance. With Greg. And wow looking back I really don't know why I waited so long. If I could do it all over again I would have married him many years before I did. But hindsight is 2020 and I still pinch myself with how lucky I got marrying him. Sweet, supportive, smart, funny, generous, kind, loving. There is nothing he is missing. I love everything about him. Everything. Even when he is driving me batty. LOL.

My in-laws.
My FIL was nice but unfortunately he died early on so I didn't really get to know him.
My MIL and I had a rocky start but eventually we came to know and care about each other. Even love each other. It wasn't the relationship I would have liked from the start nor was it a super loving relationship but we came to respect and care about each other. It took many years. She wasn't the warm and fuzzy type so we were completely different which of course is fine. But it took time to get used to each other and each other's ways. I have no regrets about our relationship and I miss her. May she RIP.

My BILs.
They are fine.
We don't have close relationship.
They live far away.
One was very welcoming to me when I started dating Greg.
We would visit him in his state and he went out of his way to make me comfortable.
My SIL said to her dh/my BIL upon first meeting me (she repeated this to me later long after we first met her and Greg and I were already married) "Melissa isn't the kind of girl men just date". If she had told me that at the time I would have rolled my eyes and of course it wasn't true as I was a serial monogamist and while I had been proposed to before I never said yes before Greg but I digress. All this to say they were both welcoming to me when I first started dating Greg.

The other BIL and his wife.
Eh, He is OK but has a very dry personality that I don't appreciate. MY dad has a very dry sense of humor but it's different. B has zero sense of humor. And his wife is a mean girl. Nasty. I could tell stories that are very entertaining. I will say one thing. She hated me from the start. Why? Because I have an uncanny way to see who people are almost immediately. And I saw exactly who she was from the start. And she realized it and went crazy. Literally crazy. She wrote a letter to Greg and well while I won't share details now it was a doozy. The upswing of it is she wished she could have married Greg and she married the wrong brother. We have the relationship she wished she could have and will ever have with B. Anyway I feel sorry for her I truly do. But I would go through all the drama all over again because Greg is completely worth it. No question about it.

Sorry for the book but answering the question to the best of my ability.
I have zero complaints about my family. Chosen and biological. I lucked out and know it and am supremely grateful for my loved ones. Words will never do my feelings justice when it comes to my family.

Sharing a photo from the around 1970.
My parents, grandparents, aunt, uncle and sister and brother.
My very first family.

Screen Shot 2021-10-14 at 6.12.35 AM.png

Thank you for allowing me to take a trip down memory lane. While there is pain and tears there is more joy and happiness and love when I remember those who are gone. One valuable lesson I will always keep in my heart is life is short and never let a day go by without letting those you love know how you feel.
 
Just read what I wrote to Greg and he said "I nailed it"
Yeah I did.


gregandmissybotannicalgardens.png
 
I absolutely adore all my family & yes —even all my relatives, especially my aunts & uncles. :love: I haven’t seen many of my cousins in years but we used to be very close when we were kids. Now everyone lives scattered all over the country so it’s much harder to keep up.
 
My mum lives 8 time zones away, go figure! :lol-2:

I chat to my brother who lives with my mum via WhatsApp.

I ex-communicated my elder sister back in 2002 after an argument, and she has ex-communicated the family for whatever reason(s) many years ago.

I don't like her even before the argument, and am in the camp that I do not believe blood is thicker than water, meaning, I do not have to like a person purely because we share the same DNA.

My only relative in UK is my uncle on my mother's side, and the two families fell out back in the early 80s.

There are many uncles and aunts, and many cousins. My mum has 3 brothers, and my dad had 13 siblings (3 aunts and 10 uncles).

And no, I don't keep in touch with any of them.

DK :))
 
Besides my parents hubby and MIL, BIL and SIL, I speak to no one in the family. And I’m just fine with that.
 
HI:

I enjoy a great relationship with my 3 sisters--it is something I covet. They all have great kids that are a joy to be around. I like my cousins and Mothers brother was the best Uncle ever!

My DH family--not so much. My FIL was kind, very smart and a gentleman. My MIL was a first class manipulator and pretty cruel. I had to distance myself from her toxicity. My BIL's are OK, not my best pals but OK.

cheers--Sharon
 
My parents are gone, I loved my mom, but seriously disliked my father the last few years of his life.

I love my brother, his wife, their kids.

I love my husband's parents, but am disappointed with his sister since the pandemic and her politics have created a strain. We do get along, because we keep our opinions to ourselves, thought that may not last now with the difference of opinion regarding vaccines and the winter holidays coming up. :(

I love my remaining uncles, but haven't seen them in many years, I think our politics are very different, but we would never let that get in the way of a visit, which I hope happens again soon. Same for my cousins, though social media has shed some disappointing light there, too. Also hope to see them, anyway.

As long as we can avoid difficult topics, I would be good for the most part.
 
I like my family, some of them I even love! Lol! I get along with everyone and I have no issues or grudges with any of them. A lot of them don’t get along with each other but they all get along with me and seem to respect and listen to me.

I don’t like my husband’s family. I dislike many of them and find them greedy, jealous and one uppers. Everyone has to have better or more expensive than the next. It’s really very toxic.
 
My family consists of two sisters and a brother plus their adult kids. I can say I do love them all. But I disagree with some of their views and beliefs but I keep those to my self.

My mother died when I was 6 so my dad reared three little girls by himself. He is my hero and will always be. He died in 1988.

DH family was a hot mess. It is a miracle DH turned out to be the wonderful guy he is.
 
Well, I wouldn’t have picked ‘em. :lol: I picked my husband, and he’s my best friend. I hope to give my future children everything I didn’t have (stability and normalcy) and would love to be close to them.

I finally am close to my mom after a lifetime of vitriol and fighting. It’s actually been wonderful and we talk daily.

I was extremely close to my grandmother before she passed away. I adored her. I found out after she died that she almost legally adopted my sister and I.

Everyone else in my family is such a mess I avoid close bonds.

To think that they used to look at me as the black sheep…:roll:
 
this is a tough question...my biological sperm donor was a horrible man, my mom was indifferent...I got much closer with her as I got older, now she has dementia and she isnt the same person...my sisters I use to be close with, my oldest sister has always had a wild streak now I barely tolerate her...my youngest sister is just annoying.....my inlaws...me and my mother in law we tolerated one another, my father in law I like and got always got along with......I will say my mother in law is literally on her deathbed as I type this, stage 4 pancreatic cancer...anyway I had to say my good byes like a good person does...I actually told her I loved her for the first time in 38 years...I like both my sister in laws...to me my family is literally me, hubby, our boys, my daughter in law and our grand daughter....they are my family
 
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