You Can Choose Your Friends …

[naomi24]

... but you're stuck with your family.   Do you get along with them all - or are there some you would swap if you could?

[barry1010]

I would swap a brother in law, he was bad enough as a young man but he is a real Sid James letch.  Embarrassing 

[naomi24]

Does your sister still like him?

[Auntypoll]

My sister: she always did naughty things when we were growing up and for some reason I got the blame. Now she's worked her way through three husbands and has now upgraded to a millionaire. She never visits family or old friends but is enjoying her fake life in Cheshire so good luck to her. It's not jealous as I have a husband of 30+ years and a lovely family. I feel sad for my late parents who never saw her the last 5 years of their lives.

[barry1010]

You never know what goes on behind closed doors, Naomi. He's not my sister's husband. He's my wife's brother

[naomi24]

Oh, ok.

[jourdain2]

There aren't many of us on my side, just my kids & grandkids and my sister and her 2 children. I love all of them - with the possible exception of my grandson whom I try to love despite the sullen, teenager he has become - knows everything & nothing. Grit teeth & stick with him - he'll probably come out of it. 

OH's side - I can't stand his daughter and she can't stand me. She's a v.well-off London socialist - she won't come to see him even though she could well afford to stop in a B&B and come to take him out for the day.  Hurts him deeply - am I allowed to say she's a snooty bovine?  I'll find out.

Love OH's son and his partner, and ex-wife and children and our gt. grandchildren.  See them all too rarely.

[naomi24]

I think that's allowed, jourdain.  It could have been worse.  😂

[Tilly2]

I do get along with all my family but some of them don't get along with each other and things can be difficult sometimes.

[davebro3]

I don't have many family left - just my sister & her descendants - they are all fine & will inherit my untold wealth eventually.

[TwoShortPlanks]

I haven't spoken to my brother in 12 years. At first I was devestated but his absence, but can now honestly say I'm better without him and his drama in my life. 

Just because you are related to someone, it doesn't mean you have to put up with their crap. 

[naomi24]

Do you still miss him, TwoShortPlanks?

[ichkeria]

My mum was one of 7 children, my dad one of 4, so I have had lots of aunts, uncles, cousins, second cousins, as well as siblings and I can honestly say there isn't any of them I know who I seriously dislike: one or two have been a pain, but that's not the same thing. I'd not swap any of them.

[Old_Geezer]

All are tolerable, generally get along with all; some I never see though.

[Untitled]

like many younger people i often pretend to agree with older relatives on political matters because they can be quite unpleasant otherwise and i do not wish to turn family events into pointless arguments... other than that i have a horrible cousin that i consider to be a psychopath and a few relatives who really struggle with either addiction or mental health... they are not bad people but they are difficult to be around sometimes 

fortunately i get on very well with my parents and siblings and i am lucky enough to have a good relationship with my grandmother who is almost 90

[TwoShortPlanks]

Noami, not miss as such. I don't think about him from time to time. I hope he's happy, and has sorted his life out. But I still know I'm better without him in my life. 

[TwoShortPlanks]

^ I do think about him

[melv16]

I used to get on with my nephew until he became a JW. I was invited to his silver wedding. Nearly all of the guests were JW's except my family. I've never met such a weird bunch of people in my life. We felt like away football supporters stuck in the home end.

[Barsel]

What about you Naomi, do you get along with all your family?

[douglas9401]

'chortle'

[naomi24]

Barsel,  I love them all dearly.  I do have a long-standing friend I could sometimes do without though - but I've known her for so long she's become a part of the family - so to speak.  

Poor old Douglas has been sucking lemons again I see.   😂