What is family?

We often are born into what was once called a nuclear family and traditional Americans get married and create their own repeated nuclear family. But what are the expectations and unspoken tenets within a family? We hear matriarchs and patriarchs thrown around to establish some sort of familial order to aspire to or follow. In some scenarios and family settings those titles, roles, and positions are needed and respected. But what are the expectations and requirements of a family?
Some would argue that trust, honesty, unconditional love, safety, financial support, emotional support, understanding, and shelter are all included and expected within a family system.

If you are struggling or need support you can look to your “family” for those needs, and they to you. But what happens if all those attributes are expected from you but are not reciprocated? Is that an unspoken communication that you are not revered as “ family”?

I often take a deep reflection of self but command a deeper dive around this time of year to look at this state we are all assigned to in one form or another. Is it serving your best interest? Does it support you as much as you support it? Are you just going through the motions sending happy birthday wishes, and anniversary greetings to no avail?

If so, I encourage you to run swiftly to your chosen family. The chosen family that may…