Stop the Family Drama: 17 Things You Would Change in an Instant
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The concept of a “cookie-cutter” family is often outdated, as families come in all shapes and sizes. Whether your family is a unique blend of individuals who love and support each other or fits more traditional expectations, there are always areas that can be improved upon. Recently, a user asked the thought-provoking question, “What would you like to change about your family?” The responses touched many hearts, with several comments resonating strongly among readers.
The Entire Family
One reader said, “My entire family. Like, put me in a whole different family. Because the list of things that should change would not fit here, let’s just say that there are people in the world who shouldn’t be allowed to have kids, including my parents.”
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A second reader added, “I would love to have a normal family. My brothers don’t talk to each other, I barely get along with my sister, and every family meeting tends to end in a fight.”
Empathetic & Supportive
One user said, “I would like my family to be more empathetic and be more aware of my mental health and not try to invalidate me.”
A second user said, “I would make my aunt more sympathetic and thoughtful. My grandmother (aunt’s mother) needs serious care; my aunt is very nonchalant and careless about it.”
Making Connections
A user had this to say, “I’d love it if my mother was less passive-aggressive and stopped playing devil’s advocate so much.”
Being Self-Aware
A commenter said this, “For my family to be self-aware. I think they all either struggle with mental illness/trauma and/or neurodivergence, but they’re just like, “No, everybody is like this.”
Socialization
A user said, “I would make my brother more social. It’s hard to try and have a chat with someone who only grunts and swears.”
Meaningful Talks
Another poster added, “I wish my father respected my wishes more, sat and had more meaningful conversations with me like he does w my brother.”
Openness
This user said, “I would have them be more outwardly loving and positive.”
Politics
This reader had this to say, “I just want my mom to not be in a far-right cult anymore.”
Abusive Situations
This user shared, “I’d get a non-abusive mum and grandma. That would also indirectly fix everything else I would like to change.”
Therapy
One user said, “My mother and her lack of doing anything about her mental state. You just can’t help someone who doesn’t want to be helped.”
A second user added, “I’d like them all to be open about going to therapy.”
Substance Abuse Issues
This user said, “My family’s dependence on alcohol. If I could get my mother, father, and brother to stop drinking, many of my issues and problems would disappear.”
Extended Family
This reader candidly shared, “I no longer want to live on the same street with my MIL.”
While another user said, “For my extended family (cousins, aunts, uncles) to treat me with more respect and be nicer.”
Validation
A user commented, “My parents would validate my concerns and needs from a much earlier age.”
Being Critical
A poster said, “My dad cannot take criticism and tends to end disagreements with insults.”
Another poster commented, “I wish I could talk to my mom without her getting so defensive, she carries a lot of guilt from the past, and she feels she has to somehow make up for it, but because of it, a lot of people take advantage of that guilt, especially her siblings, right now she is supporting 2 of them.”
Knowing The Real You
A user commented, “I wish my family were interested in knowing all of me. They deny and erase my religious views, queerness, and values.”
Family Values
One reader said, “To be less old-fashioned and bigoted. Luckily I live away, so they don’t need to know I’m not religious, bi, and currently partnered with a black man. They’re the kind who think I should marry a “nice white Christian man.”
A second reader said, “I wish they weren’t hateful Catholic conservatives who actually gave a **** about other people.”
While a third reader added, “Their constant judgment of everyone for their “sins.”
Togetherness
One user made this comment, “I wish they were closer to me. They are in Asia right now, and I live in the US. It’s so lonely here, and I get really sad on holidays.”
One user simply commented, “Egos, attitudes, meanness, & entitlement!”
Finally, a user commented, “For my parents not to be as hard on me.
Source: Reddit
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As a full-time working mom of three, I know what it’s like to feel like life is out of balance and out of control.
While I don’t have it all figured out, I am committed to sharing helpful tips and tricks with other mommas who are ready to break free from negativity, ditch mom guilt, & finally, live life on their own terms.