f is for family: the fun, the fiascos and the feuds
Take a moment to think back to the well-known families and characters we are confronted with or have grown up with on our television screens. The Simpsons, the Brady-bunch, the rafters(packed to the rafters), the griffins (family guy) are a few that come to mind. We seem to share the good, the bad, the happy and the sad when we connect with these families on one level or another. Maybe we take an interest in their lives because we can relate to their fun times, their family feuds and their fiascos that our families seem to go through.
“Family” is a term we generally use to define a group of people who we share important, loving and essential relationships with throughout our lives. We have all heard the saying “blood is thicker than water” so this means we commonly place great significance on the people we identify as family. Sometimes we are related to these people; other times we create situations where we identify people as family anyway. Our role in a family can be diverse, sometimes we even classify ourselves to belong to a variety family units… And in most cases every family is different.
We can often recall many memories and significant life events to be associated with our family. Some of these times are good, positive, and bring happiness. (fun times) However, family relationships can experience strain; which can happen suddenly or evolves overtime. (feuds) Families also face a number of traumatic and trying times together. And without fail surprises and crazy moments are remembered by families all over the world (Fiascos).
Often as a result there are a number of emotions, issues, and experiences we are faced with when it comes to our families. The effects of all family situations are different for everyone. You may feel content, happy, blessed, lucky, loved, safe, and like you are part of the best family in the world at times. On the other hand, many people face difficulties, troubles, and hard situations within their families, and you may be able to relate to some of these.
So on Monday 17th June 8pm EST, we welcome you to our reach out family to discuss experiences surrounding family. What things are great about being part of a family? Who makes up your family? What makes family fun? Why do we disagree and fight with the people who we define as important to us? How does a difficult time in a family impact on us? What support is available to help us through this? Hope to see you all there.
Hi all! Welcome to tonight’s getting real session....FAMILY!
We’ll be discussing what family is, what makes your family great and how to deal with conflicts and difficulties within the family unit.
Facilitating tonight’s session will be LeaLea07, Sophie and I.
As always if anything in tonight’s session upsets you in any way there’s an emergency help tab in the top right hand corner which we urge you to use. Also keep in mind that we want to keep this discussion safe for everyone so try to stick to the community guidelines. Thanks 
So to start us off tonight let bring on the first question
What kind of family do you consider yourself to belong to?
What kind of family do you consider yourself to belong to?
My immediate family is my mum, day, big sis, me and the most important member - my dog 🙂
But I also consider my really good friends a type of family as well
Now we have heard about some of the familes we belong to...
What do you think makes your family a family?
Hey guys! Nice to be back for GR this week. Looks like a good topic.
What kind of family do you consider yourself to belong to?
I consider myself to belong to a pretty good family that is safe, secure, honest and loving 99% of the time 🙂
EDIT - I'm watching The Voice Soph! Along with doing this, trying to follow a football match and write up a reflection for prac tomorrow, lol! 😛
I guess I consider myself to belong to a loving, caring and biological family.
But if I think outside the box I have a friendship family, a work family etc etc so many families when I think about it.
I have the voice on in the background too - the fam bam is watching it
@delicatedreamer - Hi. Welcome!
That's so great to hear! Sounds like a great environment to grow up in!
P.S - I'm watching the voice as well!
Hey guys, sorry in advance if I disappear tonight, there's quite a bit I'm meant to be doing...
What kind of family do you consider yourself to belong to?
My family is extremely varied and scattered. It is not at all the 'typical' family.
How is your family different from a 'typical' family?
What do you think makes your family a family?
I think for mine it really is as simple as us being related by blood, and our growing up together. Or at least, our growing up with the understanding that we are each others family.
This upbringing sort of forces some loyalty and care between us all which adds to it.
@dilz: Really simple because of how we're made up - step families, half siblings, spread all around. People always get a little overwhelmed when I start explaining how big and complicated my immediate family is.
What do you think makes your family a family?
Well, i think it's that feeling of support no matter what... unconditional love... and the feeling that I get, that I just would do anything for them...
"What makes your family a family?"
A group of people who accept who you are and what you do.... generally speaking. I guess there are always disagreements but they are the people I can always count on no matter what.
We love each other alot and like sophie mentioned - would do anything for each other.
Great discussion so far guys. Awesome to hear a little more about your families.
Here's the next question.
What are the great things about a family unit or environment? Or yours in particular?
What are the great things about a family unit or environment? Or yours in particular?
I will rattle off some things I think are great ....
- people to come home to at the end of the day
- people to share exciting news with
- people that "glue together" through hard times.
- people you share memories with
I wouldnt ask for a different family or environment. I feel blessed - even if at times our family irrate us or get under our skin.
What are the great things about a family unit or environment? Or yours in particular?
- They know about your history, so you're not going to scare them off with stories of what you were like or how your mother is.
I think that saying is alittle bit like 'blood is thicker than water.'
In times of need or crisis, even with important happy occasions we generally place importance on our family over other people. We are likely to choose our family over other things.
I guess the saying of we cant choose our family - means we were somehow placed with these people in our lives. Whether biologically or through decisions. Someone else sometimes made the decision to make us part of a family....
Seems like we all have very similar thoughts in regards to family vs friends.
Time for the next question.
How does your family impact on your life generally? (e.g. living arrangements, relationships, work, positives, negatives).
Because we like to help others and each other on reach out....
What supports have you used (or has your family used) when going through a hard time? Are there any services you can recommend to a family going through a difficult time?
I personally haven't used any services but it's great to know that there are so many great ones around.
Here's a few:
The Family Relationship Advice Line
Phone: 1800 050 32
Family relationships online.
http://www.familyrelationships.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx
Mensline Australia
http://www.mensline.org.au/Home.html
1300 78 99 78
CHaT First - a website for children and teens whose parents have separated or divorced
http://www.chatfirst.com.au/index.php
Child Support Agency (CSA) Family separation - a guide for teens
http://www.youth.csa.gov.au/
Also many community centres offer great councelling services for families and teens.
Have a look at some of these sites if you're interested.
