[radio_flyer]

What is a "normal, healthy" family?

[StargazerLily]

What exactly is a "normal, healthy" anything, just to add to that. If someone knows the answer that is a very good question.

[nothemama8]

IMHO
Normal Healthy
Nurturing Honest
Optomistic Empathathtic
Respectful Allowing
Mature Listens
Always Trustworthy
Loving Humorous
Yours

[Perna]

I think it's like a "good enough" mother.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6960127/site/newsweek

[biplol]

I've came a long way, to feel that my family it's just good enough; great article, even though I don't agree with leaving kids wandering like that, I'm an overprotective mother, trying to let go.
I have had a tough childhood; physically and verbally abusive, but also, I'm a mother now, like my mom, I'm bipolar, the difference is years of research and studies that are helping ME. But weren't there for my mother when she was younger.
She asked for forgiveness and we did forgive her.
No family is perfect; I like to think that mine is "unique".
But I'm working to make my own family as close as "good" as I can~

[Rhapsody]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
radio_flyer said:
What is a "normal, healthy" family?

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I often WONDER if there is such a thing any more..... for most of us have come from a dysfunctional family.

LoVe,
Rhapsody -

[Christina86]

wish I knew ((((((((((radio_flyer))))))))))

All I know is my family puts the "Fun" in dysFUNctional.

And we're not a funny bunch either.

I don't think that "normal" can explain families...Coming from a totally abusive chidhood in every way, and then a 20 year abusive marriage, I have learned what is a "healthy and functioning family..Me and my 5 children have learned to relate in a sincerely healthy way...We do not judge nor criticize each other harshly..we depend upon each other to encourage ourselves when we feel low or confused...there is always love, hugs, compassion, understanding, empathy and devotion...We stand together in unity always..We cherish each other and do not allow the negative words of others to affect our family...We see the good and positive in each other, and accept the negative, though always praying...We love each other and will defend each other till the very end..We listen to each other without no standards...A healthy family is productive, supportive, loving, encouraging, and trusting...there is safety in a healthy family to allow you to be who you truly are...to accept and love you without condition..sadly, most families are not like this...hurting people, hurt other hurting people...a healthy family acknowledges the hurt that it has caused...it never minimizes nor demeans it...it makes things right...

"""there is safety in a healthy family to allow you to be who you truly are...to accept and love you without condition..sadly, most families are not like this...hurting people, hurt other hurting people...a healthy family acknowledges the hurt that it has caused...it never minimizes nor demeans it...it makes things right..."""

climbingkit said it.........

[ster]

I wish I could answer that ?

[Rhapsody]

Hmm -

I thought about this QUESTION... and this is what I came up with, quoted from the best book ever written.

LoVe:
LoVe is present in a normal "healthy" family / relationship... and LoVe is

Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
.... Love never fails.


LoVe,
Rhapsody -

[Enigmatik]

kind of an odd topic, i asked myself not that long ago if one could get a 'mail order' family... cause somedays, id like a new one...

I, too, had a bipolar mother who was in & out of mental institutions & she finally committed suicide when I was 15. I tended to be the uber mom described in the article (trying desperately not to be like my mother who was often abusive & just didn't care about us at all. She often said she wished I had died at birth.) My kids grew up with no tv (poisoning the mind & dampens creativity as well as sends societal messages that are unrealistic (like how thin & attractive you should be).

I homeschooled them so they could learn at their own pace & basically was consumed with not being like my mother. Yet, I had terrible depressions where I was crying a lot (have been diagnosed with bipolar) & had to explain to them that Mommy was just sad & she didn't know why & it had nothing to do with them.

But I also did some really bad things in regards to my kids like drinking & smoking with my first so she was premature.

My "kids" are now 30 & 27. Both have had bouts of depression, but seem to be doing fine now. One is a lawyer & the other is a civil engineer. Sometimes I think they succeeded DESPITE me, because of my rigidity & periodic bouts of depression. They had a great, warm, involved &loving father, though, & I think that counts a
lot.--Suzy P.S. I heard a quote somewhere that has stuck with me: "Love doesn't hurt."

[Rhapsody]

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AngelicEnigma said:
kind of an odd topic, i asked myself not that long ago if one could get a 'mail order' family... cause somedays, id like a new one...

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TRUST ME....... We understand how YOU feel.

<font color="purple"> ((((((( HUGS ))))))) ~ ~ ~ ~ (((((((( HUGS ))))))) </font>

LoVe,
Rhapsody -

[Blackd0g]

As a person who would like to build a blended happy family with the woman I love(HARD WORK) I can't answer that.
I guess patience, love and willingness to view another family culture as acceptable in my case is helpful.

I can't really say too much as we struggle ALOT. I often wonder if I'm doing the right thing even trying to blend families.

In the end if it feels right do it. I'm sure goodwill, honesty and love will be the key. For any familiy.