Do you feel like your family might as well be strangers?

Question

Why, and how do you change that?

Answer 1

I have a very large family. I can't tell you how many cousins I have and its like we don't even know each other. Its like we don't have love for each other anymore. Or people are busy with their own lives and we don't take the time to see each other. I don't know how to change that because its been going on for the last 10 years

The sad part is that the only time we get together is when someone die. Then you will see everyone at the funeral

Answer 2

I do feel this way and would too like to change it. Every year I make it my new years resolution to make more effort with my family but I just don't seem to put in much effort.
You want to change it because they're family but sometimes it's hard. This is the perfect time of year I guess to make an effort. Send them a card and add meaning to it (It's Christmas after all) Organise a Christmas party and invite them. Call them and arrange for Chrissie drinks with them.
You may find that you need to make more than one attempt to start the ball rolling. Maybe they're so accustom to declining that that's the easiest response for them at first. So try more than once. You only get one family and when there gone there's no coming back. This is why we try. Good luck with it. Be patient it's not always a simple task.

Answer 3

families are like the weather... changing often.... we grow and change, just like the seasons...... my family is now at the point were we are all going in different directions..... all I can do is sit and wait for the storm to pass.... giving each there own space to find who and what they are... I can only worry about them, but change myself into a more adaptable and open minded person, which I hope and pray will lead them all full circle....... God bless

Answer 4

Actually, I do sometimes. I have really drifted away from everyone in recent years.
I am married and have 3 children, but as far as my family of origin, I am just not close to them any more. My mother visits us and we visit her, but we don't have a very close relationship. She loves the kids dearly and they love her too. I guess it will just take some effort.

Some kids drift away from their parents because they have never felt "good enough". We had a lot of sibling rivalry and competition in our household, so it is no wonder we are not close.

Answer 5

somewhat--i feel it but it's not very bad. it's a period of time when we step into adult hood, start finding ourselves for who we are and not what others say, and to accept life as a whole. it is called growing pains, and everybody goes through it, some faster while others slower.

it's a process that depends on the individual, and that individual's willingness to change himself. with time, everyone will get over it, BUT please confide your problems with someone--during this time you NEED someone beside you whom you can trust.

you can pull through it! :)

Answer 6

Naw not really even tho we dont really get along i dont feel like strangers

Answer 7

Yes I do and am not bothering to change that as my mom told me to never contact her again.

Answer 8

yes.
because they have comments about how they see the family that are totally different from my comments. i dont see how i can change something i cant see.

Answer 9

You can change yourself, and your behaviors. You can only make them aware of your desire for more closeness.
Best of Luck.

Answer 10

By talking to them more, by compromising with them and really communicating with them more.