Family: What does it really stand for?

What is a Family?

Families are who you love. Our families all “look” different and it's always been so. A family caregiving unit might consist of a couple; a mother, father and children; a single parent and child; grandparent and grandchildren; a sibling group; a circle of friends; or however that family defines itself.

Families are the foundation of society. It's where we come into the world, are nurtured and given the tools to go out into the world, capable and healthy—or we aren't. While families have the greatest potential for raising healthy individuals, they can also wound their members in places that will never heal. When families break down and fail to provide the healthy nurturing we need, the effects impact not only our own lives, but also our communities.

(Excerpt taken from http://www.edu.pe.ca/southernkings/family.htm)

So what happens when families don't support each other any more.

When the family doesn't support each other anymore the family falls apart. It's like a house without a good foundation.

Photo used from http://firewalkercreative.com/creating-an-online-marketing-strategy/

Our Family Update

So Granny has not moved out yet. She isn't happy and seems to want to stir up trouble because no one will help her leave at this time. Everyday for the past week there has been some issue arise. I'm frustrated with all of it. I love where I am living but I told my DH that I refuse to live somewhere that I am not wanted. We live on a lot of land in Granny's cow pasture. She has made the statement that when she gets out she wants us to move or pay rent. We own our home, but not the land. I don't know if she means it or is saying things like that to make us mad. DH is frustrated and says when we get up the money we will try to move but I'm really just tired of making moves. We just moved in there in February of 2011. Our "family" doesn't feel much like a family anymore. I'm not feeling the love. I know at Thanksgiving  and Christmas they will want to pretend like everything is all okay. Well it's not so I don't know what to do. Should the DH and I start our own holiday traditions without the extended family or should we attend their dinner and pretend everything is okay? I know the holidays are a time of thanksgiving, appreciation and love, but it will be hard to participate knowing the ins and outs of our daily lives.

What would you do? Any advice please comment.