by Paul Schingle

Created on: April 26, 2010

I'm often accused of being cynical, especially when it comes to matters of the family.  I resist such a label, even though it may be true to a degree.  Don't misunderstand me.  I love my family.  But, the fact of the matter is, I can only take them in small doses.  My parents are great, but are very set in their ways.  My brothers are hilarious to hang out with, but only in short periods.  (To be fair, I'm sure they'd say the same about me).  I think the degree to which I get along with my family is more alike than unalike compared to others I know.  The biggest difference is I'm honest about it.

Using the holidays as an example.  Most people I know just can't wait for the holiday season.  The chance to see family members they only get to see once in a while.  Food.  Family.  Fun.  Then, when the season is over, they're just as glad to get through with it.  I know very few people who get through the holidays without at least some degree of disappointment.  It's the nature of high expectations.  It's the nature of the holidays.  It's the nature of family.

Now, I'll openly admit that I do have a few friends who actually get along great with their families and can't imagine spending less time with them than they do now.  And, these are people who might go to brunch with family every weekend, or even more often.  Yes, I have a very few friends like this.  And, pretty much without exception, they're all crazy.  It's not that there's anything wrong with continuously wanting to spend time with family.  It's just that once you get a taste of life away from them, family time just seems mundane-or worse-sometimes, abusive.  But, if you don't know anything different, you don't realize how small you've made your own world.

Yes, I love my family.  And, the few times per year we get together, we usually find a way to make it a happy time-or at least make it work.  But, for the sake of the mental health of all of us, it is best if these times are kept to a limited number.  And, I know of few others who would disagree.  Sometimes, it's just best for all if we agree to disagree and we'll just all get along better by not being together.

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