Families

Does anyone else think families are strange things? Do you wonder how two siblings brought up the same can end up completely opposite kinds of people? How can different families differ so much?

I guess growing up I always thought certain things were important to every family, but only as I got older and became more exposed to other families that I have realised that this is not actually the case.  I find it impossible not to compare my family with Ant’s family and believe me when I say that they are worlds apart.

Lets takes Ant’s birthday for example (yes the event I have moaned about for weeks)
                 Firstly: His brother who Ant always claims to be close to didn’t bother to come. Apparently going out, or away for the weekend or something with a friend is more important. We gave people the date months ago so they would keep it free. Surely he could have gone away any of the other 51 weeks of the year? Birthday’s only happen once a year and funnily enough they happen the same time every year. They’ve also not seen each other since Christmas and he sees this friend every week, so surely making an effort was not too much to ask?

Secondly: Is it normal not to buy your son a present? They don’t normally bother, but I did kind of expect them to get him something for his 30^th – especially as we were celebrating it. I wouldn’t dream of turning up empty handed.  But they just handed over a card and then they spotted the presents in the corner from MY family and made up the lamest excuse I have ever heard. ‘Sorry we didn’t know what to get you?’ WHAT? Seriously? Can it be that hard? Even if it is surely they have heard of money or gift vouchers. Obviously not!
Ant never has a bad word to say about anyone – honestly he is too nice, but even he was miffed that they hadn’t bothered. He rightly pointed out that if it was his brother or sister they would have got something – it feels a bit like out of sight out of mind. My parents and sister bother got him a little something and he very sweetly pointed out ‘he doesn’t care because he has me and Joshua and that is more important’ Awww!!!

Oh well saves me money! Its his dad’s 50^th this year so I will hand over a card and say ‘Sorry we didn’t know what to get you.’ HA! Yes I am a cow but I don’t care!

I can also count on one hand the number of times his parents have seen Joshua – they only live an hour away it’s not a life time. They moan all the time that they never see him, but I can tell you know it’s a lot easier for them to jump in the car and pop down to us.. it doesn’t take them an hour to leave the house and they are not laden down with everything you need to survive a day with a baby. It they made the effort I would be more willing to return the effort but until they do I refuse. I just find it amazing how little interest they have. My parents and one of my sisters would see Joshua every day it they could get away with it.

I’m not saying my family is perfect – hell its far from it. I just struggle with how detached Ant’s family are.  In law’s who’d have ‘em!! I do have one thing to thank them for... for Anthony :)