The emotional threads that tie us to family are weirdly tangled eh. These days I can quite happily say I do not love my parents, or any of my immediate family really. I like some of them OK. But this doesnt mean they dont sometimes make me feel squirelly as a bag of nuts. I dealt with this problem by putting the diameter of a whole planet between us.

I do love my sister and her kids, honestly I love those kids so much it hurts sometimes, and I kinda love my ma but mostly I don't, and I don't always like her but having most of the country between her and I help a LOT and I do love my dad but man does he try my nerves at times

I resent the notion that I'm obligated to love every member of my family and that I'm a monster if I don't.

I get all of this

I guess in my case, I really do love them. And when it's me and my folks alone, there's no one I love more

I'm just currently faced with the invasion of my middle brother's family (four kids) and my youngest brother's wedding tomorrow and I shouldn't be so bitter about the fact we're all in a two bedroom condo.

That sounds like a Neil Simon play.

lol

There's a way in which I'm both constitutionally and practically more flexible (no partner or kids, pretty easy going) so I feel that's constantly being taken advantage of in the sense that it's just expected that I can change plans at whim and not need warning or coddling.

yeah and that's sadly common and and that's a lot of people in a small space

and children take up a lot of room

I love that my sisters and I are all that's left now

and one niece

we meet up once a month and we stay together about four hours

that's lovely

no I mean... I'm not sure what I'm feeling or what I can't anyone to do about it

Just that the anticipation of this weekend has had me stressed forever

/nods