Is Your Family(of origin) Dysfunctional?

hello smores! I was just wondering how many of you get along with your families of origin? Mom/Dad/Sisters/Brothers. Sometimes it feels like my family is the only ones that dont get along. I have 3 sisters and only 1 talks to me (usually when she needs something). I havent spoken to my father for 20 years. My Mom lives with me.......and we get along pretty good. When I was younger......all I ever wanted was the kind of family that wears turtleneck sweaters(???!!!) and can play the piano.....and comes to my house for xmas for a huge dinner. Then we would sit around the fireplace and say nice things to each other. (trust me........I know how strange this sounds) I've finally realized 1) I cant wear a turtleneck 2) I'll never learn the piano 3) The only dream family I have is the one I've tried to build. Please dont call the authorities on me.I'm not crazy......really. Just have a touch of the "holiday-want-a-Hallmark-kind-of-family" depression. Thanks for listening! willby thinsoon

willby its not really all that my family does that stuff and I always feel left out my size is a big thing to them I think I have not been home in 4 years until about 4 days ago still feel the feeling of not being wanted as part of the family sad to say I am the one left out of the group every one else has the Hallmark kind of thing going on and I just dont fit in so I am not looking forward to the holidays at all shelley

hey shelley, Thanks for your honesty. I was hoping this question wasnt too personal or would hurt anyone. Thats not how I intened it. I just want to know that I'm not alone, I guess. take care willby PS: I know EXACTLY how you feel about being left out

Ive got the ultimate "dysfunctional" family, and when it comes to holidays it really shows. parents are divorced, dad is remarried for 28 years now.. So on that side of the family I have 2 step brothers and a step sister (ohh I just admitted to that publicly- my fever must be raging high again!).. Needless to say its not Christmas at dads until my dad has to body slam my 40 year step brother for being drunk and tipping over the either the Christmas tree or the dinner table. This event has gone on for almost 10 years straight now.. So yeah, you could say dysfunctional!! My mom isnt remarrried.. but Christmas with her tends to be a big hassle. I have 2 sisters and a brother and if you put us all in the same room you better duck! my brother is a handful and tends to open his mouth when he shouldnt.. Its never a holiday without atleast 1 good arguement.. Needless to say, I dont do family holidays anymore.. Im too old for all the fighting and yelling.. I used to dream of the "family" holidays too.. but Ive come to realize and enjoy staying home with the DH and having a peaceful and loving time... its so much more enjoyable.. Amber

wow! Amber! I never realized we were sisters!! Thanks for answering my post! willby

I think all families are dysfunctional to some degree. No one's perfect, even if they appear to be on the outside. Mine?! Oh hell yeah! (sorry!) Under dysfunction in the dictionary is our family portrait! LOL I think my mom tries to have the Hallmark holidays, though I personally would rather just stay home. Hasn't been like that since I was a little kid I guess. My brother and I are both adopted, so there is issue #1. He is mentally disabled, issue #2. Cousins on my dad's side haven't spoken to me in nearly 30 years (teenaged stupidity), issue #3, etc, etc. See mom's side of the family maybe once a year, post holidays. Whole family hasn't gotten together for Thanksgiving dinner since my grandmother passed away 20 years ago. I'd just like to skip the whole year between Thanksgiving and valentine's day. I abhor the holidays. I always get depressed that time of the year. Willby dear, you are soooooooo not alone!! Huggs, Ruth

((((((((((RUTH))))))))) I hate them too!!! I am guaranteed to cry on Xmas day. Its a tradition now in our family Lets all of us SMORES get together and make our own family! take care willby

LOL that's so funny about the turtle necks and family dinner. I remember when I was a kid telling my mom that I wanted to be Donna Reed. I wanted to be a house wife, I wanted my husband to wear a suit every day and carry a briefcase and an umbrella, and I wanted my kids to walk around with perpetual (and perfect) smiles... all day long. She laughed. For the life of me I couldn't figure out why she had a problem with that. Oh blessed age induced wisdom.

Brandy, I always wanted a lunch box......I just knew if I had a lunchbox I could be popular Thanks for letting me know I'm not the only one out there. willby

I still want a lunch box... Rainbow Brite with a thermos.