Small families...anyone?

Anyone else out there with not much family?

My family has always been small. Bascially it was just always myself, mom, dad, sister, brother, grandmother, stepdad and now Megan of course.

My dh doesnt deal with his family since both of his parents passed away years ago.

But it makes me sad sometimes to see that big families get together during the holidays. We never had that here. And it makes me even more sad now because we lost my stepdad and now my grandmother, making the family even smaller.

Does anyone else have really small families?

Re: Small families...anyone?

We do. DH has a big family, but they are in another country.

My dad passed away 11 years ago, so its just me, my mom and my sister. My aunt lives in Paris and my dad was an only child. My mom's first cousins live in Switzerland and Israel.

Re: Small families...anyone?

yes!

But, in a different way...

My family used to have big gtg's for all the holidays and occasions...but now we don't really socialize...except for my immediate family. I don't keep in contact with my cousins, aunts and uncles, etc. My grandparents live in Florida

DH's family is in Buffalo and Florida

So, for all holidays its just us, my parents, and sometimes my brother (he is too good for Long Island
)

Sometimes it makes me sad...we used to have such fun

But, on the other hand...no fighting!

Re: Small families...anyone?

Me - DH and I both have extended family but we don't see them except at weddings and funerals. Holidays are just 8 of us - me, DH, my parents and my brother and FIL, MIL, BIL. We see my aunt and uncle (no kids) on Christmas so that's our "big" holiday when there are a whopping 10 of us. It's easier in a lot of ways of course but I do miss the years growing up when we would have a packed house at the holidays.

Re: Small families...anyone?

Everyone either lives far away, or doesn't have time to spend with us, so pretty much its just me, DH, and my stepdaughters for the most part....

Re: Small families...anyone?

Tiny.

I have two (awful) brothers. All my grandparents have passed, and I only have one aunt, who I see once a month and one uncle who lives as a recluse in the woods in the moutains in Colorado. No first cousins whatsoever.

DH's family is just as small. His mother is a holocaust survivor - her family was wiped out, so all he has is himself, his brother, his mother and a few aunt's and uncles on his father's side, but his father passed years ago.

It's the one thing that breaks my heart when I think about Alex - I always wanted to give her the big, close knit family I never had, but unfortunately it doesn't look like mother nature wants to break the cycle

Re: Small families...anyone?

my family is pretty small. our holiday gatherings consist of my parents, DH and I and my sister. sometimes 1 cousin or my sisters boyfriend join in.

all my grandparents are deceased

I have another sister, but she lives in CA and we hardly see her

DH's family on the other hand is HUGE!!!!!

Message edited 11/17/2007 2:50:19 PM.

Re: Small families...anyone?

my family is pretty small and I actually like it. Its so much easier for all of to get together more often and its always given me a warm feeling.

Re: Small families...anyone?

My mom's side of the family is large but very spread out. We used to get together for the holidays before all of us grew, got married, moved out etc. My Dad's side is tiny. I totally know what you are feeling. I am so jealous of those huge family holidays. My DH's family is kinda small too and spread out. But I guess we make the best of it

Re: Small families...anyone?

Me, small and divorced..not a good combo. My brother and I were just talking today about what we are going to do next week. Between mom losing her BF, dad and his wife coming in on Monday and wanting to be with us, a husband who just wants a turkey dinner and me with a baby due any day..I am at my wits end. I just don't care anymore. I am tired of trying to please everyone...I just can't, not this year. And there is no other family for either of my parents to go to and they will NOT go anywhere together, even though my mom and stepmom get along great. It s u c k s!!! I really am hoping to be in labor and not have to deal with ANY of them!!!!

Re: Small families...anyone?

I have a large family but often think having a smaller family would make the holidays less complicated. Our "Christmas" last over 3 or 4 days of having people over our house or going to another family members house to celebrate and exchange gifts. It is nice to see everyone but it is a lot of work and very tiring.

Re: Small families...anyone?

My parents don't keep in touch with many extended family members and don't have a lot of friends. As a result, I do not really know much of my extended family. Yeah, it makes me sad. DH's parents don't have a tremendous family but they are in touch with everyone and they have lots of friends. That can be tough, too, because it is hard to find time for everyone.

Re: Small families...anyone?

My family is small now too....Most of my relatives are in their 80s and the younger cousins live out of state. My dad doesnt speak to his side of the family and I dont have any grandparents left. And now on top of not socializing with DHs side we're even smaller

Re: Small families...anyone?

I have a pretty small family and so does my DH. The majority of my family and DH's family is older too. I know how you feel because I get sad sometimes because of it.

Re: Small families...anyone?

I do - my dad was an only child (he is deceased). my grandma's family is small, and my grandfather (also deceased) is from Ohio and all his family moved to CA and he moved to NY so I never met them.

my mom's family is small as well.

DH on the other hand...he has more cousins than I have family members!

Re: Small families...anyone?

I have a small family, but it feels even smaller b/c we never get together for any holidays or anything.
Our immediate family has never been close.
and DH has a pretty big family, but we live in NC now and its hard to travel back and forth on both parts.