extended family
All about how to stay connected, strengthen ties and talk politics with your big, happy extended family.
A Letter to My Mother In Law
Dear Mother in Law, I remember years ago, getting off the school bus and strolling slowly down an unfamiliar path to your house. The sun was shining, ponies were in the field next to us as I walked hand in hand with your son, on my way to meet you for the first time. I was so nervous, I wanted to make a good impression and I had never before met the creator of somebody I so desperately wanted to love me. I was 16 years old, had never been in love before and yet when I saw your son, something in me stirred and I knew he was special. In my 16-year-old brain, I was the first person to see him that way. Now I know better.
By Jaz Johnstone7 years ago in Families
How I Went from an Only Child to a Woman with Two Siblings, Seemingly Overnight... at 40
It was a typical lazy Sunday. My kid was playing video games, I was folding and hanging up laundry. I decided a needed a break, so I went on Facebook, because...isn’t that what we all do while breaking? I had friend requests from some people whose last name I recognized, so I thought nothing of it. I accepted them all and went about my day doing laundry.
By Andrea Ortiz7 years ago in Families
Godparents - The Orthodox Version
Here you are visiting your best friend's house. Both she and her spouse are excited to have you there. There is a special reason for you to be there today. She is pregnant with either a boy/girl. Her partying days with you are officially over. They sit down, offer you something to drink and eat, and then they ask you...
By Girl in a paranormal world7 years ago in Families
How I Define Family
Family. That group we are born into once we are removed from our mother’s womb. Individually, we are related by blood and along with others who share that same bloodline, we are considered family whether we reside in the same household or not. Traditionally, families consist of mothers, fathers, and children sharing the same home. But that dynamic has changed throughout the decades for various reasons. The first 10 years of my life I lived in a single parent home that was shared with my mom’s aunt, uncle and family friend. I never questioned the relation to the family friend because he treated us with love and compassion like family did during that era. And I knew that whenever he told me to do something, like go to bed on time, I should respect him and do it. When our living arrangement changed to my mom, my sister, and I moving into our own apartment, the family love and compassion grew even more stronger and included more members of our family. We moved into an apartment complex that was in one of Chicago’s rough areas, though not as bad as I later found out. The good thing about the apartment was that our building was directly across the street from our new school so mom was able to watch us from the kitchen window while we walked across the street onto the school ground.
By Nathonia Smith7 years ago in Families
Monster in Law Pt.1
So the other day I saw an article on Facebook with the headline "Why it's OKAY to cut toxic family members from your life." Without even reading the article, my mother in law came right to mind. Now I know that may sound harsh, but hear me out. Let me start by saying, I never would have thought at the time that I would end up resenting my mother in law so deeply that I had no interest in her being a part of my life at all. I had hopes and dreams like most women do... For example, the perfect wedding experience... The dress shopping, the bridal and bachelorette parties, the morning of while getting ready, the ceremony, the toasts, and all the family events to follow. I pictured the perfect relationship with her. But, like they say, you can't see the future.
By Bri Pinson8 years ago in Families
Domestic Violence Shelter for Those Escaping Families
Domestic violence is a reality in the world today, but not everybody has the strength to get away from an abusive family, especially if you have a disability. I want to help disabled people on SSI start businesses, in order to get off of SSI. This can be hard sometimes because some of us need to maintain our benefits still. Why I want an MBA is for this purpose, to help disabled people start their own businesses. SSI is helpful to those of us with illnesses or disabilities. I ask the current administration to not touch the system since many need it. You said you wouldn’t, so for once, live up to your promises.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez8 years ago in Families
Call the Monster-in-Law
We have all heard so many horror stories. We all are terrified of one part of a relationship. The parents. For the men, it is usually fear of the dad or the brothers. You have heard some pretty interesting stories about those. But most of the time, they sort it out like men. And when all boundaries are established and feelings have been made clear, usually it is fine between them. After all, it is a common theory that many women find partners that remind them of positive male role models in their lives. Men, on the other hand, don't usually find women like their mothers.
By Lynn Adams8 years ago in Families
