Do you live in a dysfunctional family?

[God]

I do. It's rumoured that Harold Pinter is writing a play about us.

[richard]

yes i came from a disfunctional family, i think mostly everyone has though

[Nomaken]

I'd call my family functional.  My grandparents are gonna die sooner rather than later, removing their lack of function from the picture.  And my father has this neurotic feeling of obligation to make sure that I grow up and get a job I like and survive despite his incredible amount of despair and feelings of hopelessness.  So I'd say, assuming that the function of a family is to produce offspring that can live successfully in this world, that my family is technically functional.

[ozymandias]

I did, I had to cut off all relations with my biological family years ago.  It always surprises me that I am in a good situation now!  A lot of luck and the persistent drive/knowledge that there had to be something better out there for me than what I was raised in!

[odeon]

Define dysfunctional.

[ozymandias]

Ok, How's this .......my female progenitor (aka biological mother) screams at me my whole fucking life, your dumb, what's wrong with you?, my male progenitor  ( aka biological father) spends his time at the local veterans hall drinking beer with his war buddies and doesn't come home till night.  My female sibling (aka sister) blmaes me for all the family problems. Then my female progenitor calls me incessantly saying I am going to burn in hell, screams at my daughter, calls my wife a bitch.

Does that answer your question Odeon.  If it doesn't I;ll be more than happy to give more examples!

[Lucifer]

so why don't you cut all ties/contact with them?  i only speak to my mother (my dad is dead) a few times a year, cos she stresses me out.  i saw her (and my older sister) just over a week ago, and it was the first time since christmas.  it was lovely to see them, and i probably won't see them again until christmas this year.

you're an adult, ozy - can you not choose to define the relationship yourself?  don't answer the phone to her, for a start.

[Leto729]

I guess I am lucky to have a family that is mostly supportive of what I do so the are functional in My eyes.

[odeon]

Does that answer your question Odeon.  If it doesn't I;ll be more than happy to give more examples!

It does, Ozy. I agree with Lucifer; you need to cut the ties. Although I know that's easier said than done...

It's a good thing to have your parents living far away. My mum lives in Finland (dad's dead), and we see each other twice a year, tops, and talk on the phone a couple of times each month. It's a great way to avoid bringing up the past.

[ozymandias]

Does that answer your question Odeon.  If it doesn't I;ll be more than happy to give more examples!

It does, Ozy. ; you need to cut the ties. Although I know that's easier said than done...

It's a good thing to have your parents living far away. My mum lives in Finland (dad's dead), and we see each other twice a year, tops, and talk on the phone a couple of times each month. It's a great way to avoid bringing up the past.

Actually I posted this in another thread here someplace.  But, I did cut all ties to her and my sister over 11 years ago.  My father died years ago.  We have caller ID, so I know when she calls and can block it out.  So, been there, thought that, done it, but, thanks for the advice!  When I cut somebody off, I really cut them off and only rarely do I give second chances. 

[aliens]

yes

[El]

My family is fully functional.  My mom lives in Maine, my dad, Rhode Island, and I live in Massachusetts.  We all get along wonderfully.  We just need state lines between us.

[ozymandias]

My female progenitor lives 165 miles away in New Hampshire.

[McGiver]

I did, I had to cut off all relations with my biological family years ago.  It always surprises me that I am in a good situation now!  A lot of luck and the persistent drive/knowledge that there had to be something better out there for me than what I was raised in!

sums up my life story!

thank god for caller i.d.

[ozymandias]

so why don't you cut all ties/contact with them?  i only speak to my mother (my dad is dead) a few times a year, cos she stresses me out.  i saw her (and my older sister) just over a week ago, and it was the first time since christmas.  it was lovely to see them, and i probably won't see them again until christmas this year.

you're an adult, ozy - can you not choose to define the relationship yourself?  don't answer the phone to her, for a start.

I know you think I'm stupid compared to your scintillating intellect!  But did it ever occur to you that I am not stupid!  Read what I have written in the past, oh I'm sorry, thats right,  "You "don't care".   Yeah, yeah, yeah, you fooled me once, so maybe I am stupid.  But your attitude has been sticking in my craw long enough.  But, hey you don't care and now neither do I!  I am ignoring you from this moment on, please extend to me the same courtesy.  I'm glad you found a substitute for FOAD/hiro aka asshole!

TA, thats good bye and good riddance from me!