Not having much family, blessing or curse?

[gustavofring]

Sometimes it makes me sad that I only basically have a brother and sister as family left, and I get jaleous of people with big families, their happy get-togethers, the social aspect, having your family to fall back onto, somewhere to go in the weekends, etc.

Other times however I hear of all the struggles people have with their families, the clashes of personalities, abuse, controlling, bitching or unsupportive parents, and then I feel it's not THAT bad having little family and in fact grants a lot of freedom. Guess it depends a lot on the family.

Anyway, I feel like it has both advantages and disadvantages. At the moment I'm confronted mostly with the disadvantages though.

 

[Steppen-Wolf]

I guess it would depend on the family. And who you are as a human being, some thrive in large families while others feel opressed and suffocated.

I'd say just try to be happy with what you have, the grass may always seem greener on the other side of the fence but it doesn't mean it's all true.

 

[gustavofring]

I guess it would depend on the family. And who you are as a human being, some thrive in large families while others feel opressed and suffocated.

I'd say just try to be happy with what you have, the grass may always seem greener on the other side of the fence but it doesn't mean it's all true.

True. I'd imagine there can be a lot of pressure on SA people who are in big families, if the family isn't accepting or supportive of that person or have crazy expectations that make the SA-er feel like a loser. Others may love their family.

You're right, it's best to just accept what I have and try and live with it.

 

[Lamb]

Sometimes it makes me sad that I only basically have a brother and sister as family left, and I get jaleous of people with big families, their happy get-togethers, the social aspect, having your family to fall back onto, somewhere to go in the weekends, etc.

Other times however I hear of all the struggles people have with their families, the clashes of personalities, abuse, controlling, bitching or unsupportive parents, and then I feel it's not THAT bad having little family and in fact grants a lot of freedom. Guess it depends a lot on the family.

Anyway, I feel like it has both advantages and disadvantages. At the moment I'm confronted mostly with the disadvantages though.

I have a small family too. I was close to my mother at one point, but now I'm not really close to any of them. Not to sound cruel, but with the lack of interaction between us it's almost as if they don't exist. But yes, it can always be worse- and I try to remind myself of that on a daily basis so the envy of others (sometimes) doesn't consume me.

 

[ImNotMyIllness]

Be happy you have you brother and sister around. Spend time with them. A big family does have its disadvantages especially for those suffering from SA. Next time, you're feeling sad about not having a big family, do something fun with the family you do have.

 

[1BlackSheep]

I have a very small (and fairly dysfunctional) family. I do envy those families (big and small) who are close and get along well! But, I wouldn't want to be in one of those big families who are always feuding or meddling in each other's business. Or those big families where you have to buy presents for each and every person for Christmas. This lady I work with said she had to buy 100 presents for all of her family!

 

[Hellhound]

I get jaleous of people with big families, their happy get-togethers, the social aspect, having your family to fall back onto, somewhere to go in the weekends, etc.

That's what you see from the outside. If you got into their homes, you'd find out that, in reality, they pull each other's hairs often.

 

[SilentAndShy]

I have a big family - parents, brothers/sisters, nieces and nephews - and atm, with suffering SA, depression, it can be a pain in the backside! ATM, I feel like I would to be on my own. I feel I might be more free in my mind. It doesn't mean that I dont' care or love them but it's getting abit too much.