extended family

All about how to stay connected, strengthen ties and talk politics with your big, happy extended family.

My Broken Family
My childhood was never normal. My dad was a construction worker and my mom was a CNA. They brought in enough income to keep our family afloat. I was the oldest of 3 children. I loved each of my parents, but I could always tell that the didn't really love each other. They fought 6 out of 7 nights of the week it seemed like. Not like arguing either. It was like full on fist fights. My mom always threw the first punch. Looking back on it now, it was definitely a stupid decision for a 125lb woman who was 5' 5''. Definitely something children should not be seeing. We all tried to protect our mother. I always thought my dad was in the wrong. After growing up, I now realize that he wasn't in the wrong as much as I thought.
By Winter Nichelle8 years ago in Families
If You Come...
If you come to one of my family parties (which is almost every weekend), you will be welcomed with open arms. Immediately, you will be by who ever's house it is, shake hands with everyone in the room, and be given a plate of whatever food we're having. Whether it's the usual: variety of tamales, variety of hominy soup, fried rolled tacos of potato/sausage/ricotta cheese or even more common: burgers, pizza, spaghetti, salads. Or tacos of cow head, tongue, eyes and intestines that sounds more delicious when said in Spanish. You may add cilantro, chopped onions, lime, avocado, salsa, sour cream. We would have margaritas with or without tequila, soda, water, Corona or Model beer.
By Selena Villegas8 years ago in Families
Family Differences
I love my family, don’t get me wrong. I consider them to be one of the most important things in my life—maybe even the most important thing! My family has carried me through everything—my depression, my living situation, and even the times I’ve come out as gay. They have supported me through everything, BUT it does strike me how different everyone is in my family.
By Megan Beech8 years ago in Families
Getting Kicked Out
Getting Kicked Out: A story about how I got kicked out of my boyfriend's family and how life went downhill from there. Few things first: Learn from my mistakes, don't let people take advantage of you, and when life gives you lemons, throw them back. I changed the names for their privacy.,
By Bethany Sneed8 years ago in Families
What Makes a Family
This holiday season, everyone talks and talks about family. Bonding with family, visiting family, etc. It always gets me thinking about what a family is. Who are my aunts, my uncles, my cousins, my grandparents?
By Melody Rauscher8 years ago in Families
So You Want to Meet My Family?
So you want to meet my family? I'm not saying it's a bad idea I'm just saying you have to be really, really, really sure. You see there's a few things you need to know, and please don't hold this against me but I feel if you're not prepared you'll drown in the sea of hugs. Because there will be a lot of hugs.
By Lilli Behom8 years ago in Families
The "Other" Side of Step Parenting
Let’s face it… Parenting is not easy. I must hear that in some form or another at least once a week if not more. Now I do not entirely disagree, there are sometimes when it is difficult but I was blessed with a very easy going, smart and helpful daughter, who is now 11. Sometimes I have so much on my to-do list and all she wants to to “do something” with me. Sometimes she gets sick at very inconvenient times. Sometimes dealing with her father, my ex, is not fun, BUT all in all, I do not believe parenting is hard. In fact it is easy and fun and one of the things I know I was meant to do in my life.
By Jenn Gaskins8 years ago in Families
A Christmas Card
It was Christmas Eve morning. Chris was going to spend Christmas with Mr. and Mrs. Kelton. Mr. Kelton was technically Officer Kelton or just Paul. Everyone had a take on it because two years ago Chris’ father was shot dead by an officer, a white officer. His mother was still alive, but she became a heavy drinker and didn’t talk to Chris much or hardly at all anymore. The Keltons reached out to him and he’s been like family to them ever since.
By Neish8 years ago in Families
Marriage Made from Heaven
Marriage Made From Heaven -In-Laws from Hell... Remember when you saw "the one" that special someone you wanted to get to know better. The person that you thought about all day long. That person you just could not wait to see on the next date... You took the time to get to know that person deeper and more personally. You talked about long term goals and short term goals, conversations about your families and how you grew up. You shared stories about how your parents raised you and all the special things that you kept deep in your heart. You did everything together and could not see a life without that person in it! You both knew that he/she was the one for you... Talks about marriage came up with the long term conservation of kids including how many, and when to start. Both of you knew that the other one would make an amazing husband/wife and would make a wonderful Mother/Father some day.
By Barry Wick8 years ago in Families
The Crazy Chaos of Critical Family Members
From the time I was a kid, I would constantly be dealing with my dad being very critical of everything I did. I realized after I moved out and started my own life and cut my dad out that he was trying to help. But at the same time, he was trying to control me. We eventually had a sit down, heart-to-heart conversation about how we were both wrong and have worked toward a great relationship where we talk constantly and I go to him for advice.
By Hailey Elizabeth8 years ago in Families
Why I Love Christmas
It seems to be fashionable nowadays to dread Christmas. Often I read amusing articles with tales of nightmare families and a stressful time shopping and cooking for the big event. This is so far removed from my own experiences, that this article is for me an antidote to Christmas dread.
By Sarah Seddon8 years ago in Families
Coparenting
As a young girl I loved the idea of being a mother and I still do. I worked at a store and this man would come in almost every morning I was working and would have to go through my line, he wouldn’t go through anyone else’s but mine. He was divorced with 2 boys. I fell head over heels in love with him and I still am. Going on being together for 7 years and married for a little over a year. Coparenting with his ex at first was awful, but it eventually got better for us. If my husband's children would ask for something for their mother he, being the awesome father he is, would always get it for them to give her. I’m not going to lie when I say it made me a little upset and jealous that he would do this for his ex wife who betrayed him in their marriage. It would honestly hurt me because it always seemed he was going out of his way just for her. On the other hand if he didn’t get her what they asked for her to have, they would tell her and that always ended up with him getting either a text or phone call. That to me was a tad bit petty of her because it honestly wasn’t his place to make sure she had a present of some kind for a holiday, that should have been left up to her new husband. That’s when I started making sure the children had a present for their mother for the holidays. It may seem petty to most but being the first serious relationship since my husband's divorce I took it as making sure she wasn’t getting the wrong sign from him.
By Nora Lane8 years ago in Families