Comments on: I can’t stand my family

By: Johnna

Johnna — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:08:29 +0000

Not close at all. And yet, the closest I've managed to go visit you and Mary.

I was impressed by all the little old ladies in cowboy hats wearing red and white, assisting passengers at the Calgary airport. They had the air of being sweet retirement-age sister missionaries. Usually you can't pay anyone to be that sweet and helpful--you only get that from volunteers.

By: Kim Siever

Kim Siever — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:50:08 +0000

Thatâ€s okay; Calgary is still a 5 hour round trip. :)

By: Johnna

Johnna — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:14:17 +0000

We started needing to get away from each other a little bit as the older children became teenagers. They're as tall as a adults, but they're much more prickly.

We're spread out over 2,000 feet now. And we have recourse to go outside as well, since the weather doesn't prevent that most days of the year.

I was in Calgary last week transferring planes. I should have planned that better.

By: Sally

Sally — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:27:45 +0000

Our family must be very weird and or abnormal because we spend a lot of time together, Our children are now grown and raising their own families but other then those that live out of town, we do everything together, we camp together, we have frequent family dinners, we have our grandchildren over for sleepovers, we spend holidays together, we go up to Whistler together, we go on family vacations together. If that makes us dysfunctional then so be it :)

By: Manhattan

Manhattan — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:46:04 +0000

I love my family, despite any of their flaws. But I believe that I am lucky. Every member of my family is intelligent and empathetic. We are open with one another and except each other regardless of whatever lifestyle choice we may make. This is not to say that there aren't moments where I can't stand them. But that is being human. No one can stand another person 100% of the time, just the way sometimes everyone feels like they can't stand to be around themselves. Privacy is a privileged, though. And it is up to everyone to communicate their needs and wants on that matter to their family. And if you are lucky-- they will accept the terms.

By: Naismith

Naismith — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:46:57 +0000

Introversion is not a sin. Some people (25% of the population) need time alone to recharge. If you're married to one of those people, you have to allow them that time in order for them to be balanced and happy.

I don't hate my family, not even close, but I need time alone every day. We bought a house with lots of smaller rooms, so that everyone can find a quiet spot to curl up with a book or whatever.

By: TStevens

TStevens — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:22:00 +0000

I am not making any global about the church or anyone else's experiences, I am just relating what is going on in my life right now.

The whole D&D thing confused me so I looked at all of the 18 to 40 year old guys in my ward, both married and not. About half played D&D and I tried to find a commonality on why this was. I never really figured it out but I did noticed to the man, those who went on missions do not play and those who did not go on missions do. Just an interesting correlation, and again I am only referring to my experince in my ward.

By: Bookslinger

Bookslinger — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 01:43:16 +0000

For people who grew up in dysfunctional and/or abusive families, the word "family" is often a dirty word, or equasts to: "some people I was forced to live with until I could move out on my own."

By: Tyler

Tyler — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:43:47 +0000

I definately love my family, I do admit that I have trouble, after a long day of Seminary and work, not wanting to be alone for a little bit. I also have issues with noise, something I am hopefully gaining a bit of patience for. So I can empathize with those other individuals. The time I like spending away from my family is only to play sports, golf, basketball, squash, etc.

I do find that far too often the girls want to plan girls night out and the guys want to hang out seperately as well. I really don't care for that anymore. At one time in my life I was blissfully unaware of the damage that was doing to my relationship with my family. Now that I have come to the realization that if I want to spend time with my family I have to spend time with my family. I like it when we socailize with other couples I would just rather we did it together rather than seperate.

By: jjackson

jjackson — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:40:58 +0000

I really like both. I love being with my family and I love getting out to do guy stuff. It's not an either or conversation, and I really haven't felt one happening at the expense of the other. I'm a shift worker, so sometimes I spend less time at home and sometimes it's a lot more. Makes me appreciate when I do have large chunks of time with my wife and kids. But I have to stake out my territory a bit in terms of my family time. Other demands on my time (read: church) sometimes need to get pushed aside for family time.