FAMILY

For many, family is our main source of joy and meaning in life--- as well as pain. If we do not have a family of blood or legal relatives, we often create one. Yet sharing DNA or a marriage license is neither a necessary nor sufficient criteria by which we decide who is family to us. Blood relatives can be disowned and spouses divorced.

With terms like step, blended, adopted, bi-nuclear, same sex couples, life partners, live-in, sperm donors, and surrogates, family ties have expanded to include diverse human groups. Ideal family bonds are created by sharing emotions of love and loyalty. Often only DNA holds families together.

We live together, marry, divorce, re-marry, raise children, assume eldercare, and thrive when family conditions are low conflict, supportive, respectful, and productive. But we also have emotional cut-offs, cheat on our partners, suffer abuse, grow up in dysfunctional families, and relatives die.

We are driven to share our experiences . Did we do it right? Can we improve? Can I help you? We wrestle over personal boundaries with meddling and controlling behaviors. Our daily lives create a wide universe of readers and bloggers with thoughts, opinions, beliefs, questions, and answers about family.

by Dr. Coach Love Are you a writer, passionate about this or any other topic? Join Blogcritics!

Original Technorati articles tagged “FAMILY”

• in Family
  It's Pumpkin Carving Time
  Looking for some help decorating your pumpkin this Halloween. Here are some simple ideas to make great looking pumpkins with the family.
  by bstronge / on Oct 29, 2009
• in Blogging
  Daddy Blogs Finally Having A Say
  Dads are expected to rule the blogosphere in 2010. Here are a few to check out.
  by sageone73 / on Oct 28, 2009

Latest blogosphere posts tagged “FAMILY”

• Belgian Chocolate the True Chocolate Lovers Dream Come True

  
  Naked News — Authority: 172
  As an Avid fan of chocolate, I must admit, I am a thriving chocoholic. Although I will dive for any flavor or style of chocolate, there is one that is like a dream to taste, it is Belgian Chocolate. I understand that as a chocolate lover, it will be difficult for me to focus on this article. I will do my best to ...
  1 hour ago

• Wal-Mart Black Friday Sales Ad 2009

  
  Blogoncherry — Authority: 447
  Wal-Mart is trying to beat its competitors to the punch this coming Black Friday with an early sales ad out offering some very nice bargains.First up is the offer of a $100 Wal-Mart Gift Card with the purchase of any BlackBerry phones with 2 year contract.If you’re in the market for a new Xbox, Wal-Mart [...]
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• Why It’s a Great Idea to Find Garden Furniture At The Moment

  
  Naked News — Authority: 172
  OK, so aside from the fact that youll miss the January sales, youll also be able to avoid other things if you decide to buy your garden furniture now. A lot of people wait until the summer and this isnt always the best course of action. This year, its the worst thing to do because the VAT will increase again early ...
  1 hour ago

• The Obama marriage: Lessons for two-career couples, not the poor

  
  Oregon Living — Authority: 803
  Susan Reimer: We may never be postracial in the United States/ But it is possible we will be post-Second Sex, thanks to the first First Couple.
  1 hour ago

• States should get out of the marriage business

  
  Oregon Living — Authority: 803
  David Sumner: If the state were to issue civil union licenses to all couples who want them and leave marriage to the churches, we could side step the whole issue. Civil unions must come with all the legal rights and protections of a current state-recognized marriage.Then if folks want to get married, too, they can go ...
  1 hour ago

• Denim Deals: 7 For All Mankind Friends & Family Sale

  
  Denim Therapy — Authority: 134
      For some reason, I never got this email, even though I’ve purchased Sevens online before; but, I won’t hold a gripe. Fortunately, I discovered this just in time via The Choosy Beggar .  Today is the last day to save a whopping 40% off on 7 For All Mankind jeans, apparel, footwear and accessories. ...
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• How To Get an Ex Back When You Were the One Who Dumped Him

  
  Win My Ex Back — Authority: 458
  Getting an ex back is hard if you were the one getting dumped. But think how you would feel if you were the person who did the dumping? That’s the position that Aimee found herself in and she had to go about getting an ex back. Aimee so called buddy Renee told her that her husband Jaime had been sleeping with ...
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• Ed Balls hints at compromise over childcare vouchers plan

  
  The Guardian - guardian.co.uk — Authority: 983
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• Veggie Tales Saint Nicholas | DVD Review

  
  The Dirty Shirt - Hands on product reviews for items from baby products to tech gadgets — Authority: 486
  Discover the power of a simple gift! Laura Carrot’s Christmas stocking might be empty this year because her dad is in danger of losing his job. While Larry thinks a letter to the North Pole should fix the problem, Bob knows what will really help…and tells the story of a little boy named Nicholas who made a ...
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• Create a Jolly Birthday Party with Pirate Party Favors

  
  Self Love Tips — Authority: 145
  Create a Jolly Birthday Party with Pirate Party Favors Post from: Self Love Tips . Looking for intuitive awareness in the world today? Bring ancient wisdom translated in the Mayan Daily Insights . Party favors are traditional with special occasions like wedding ceremonies and bridal showers. They are distributed ...
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• Simply spectacular Sunday

  
  Burning or building bridges in the community? — Authority: 120
  Wow! 11/15/09… well into Fall, on our way to Winter. But today is a reprieve from the cold wind, rain and gray skies. (Took this pic. today in our yard). Today, it is blue skies, warm breeze and feels like 70 degrees. How grateful I am for these little respites in the middle of challenging seasons! I have been so ...
  2 hours ago

• Understanding Personal Insurance Health Options

  
  fresh healthy body — Authority: 144
  It pays to have a thorough understanding about the personal insurance options available for health care insurance because some require out of pocket costs before any type of health care will be provided. Heath care insurance plans such as a HMO charge every member for the contract services they arrange with ...
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• Christmas Drawer: Matching Family Pajamas for the Holidays [del.icio.us]

  
  Craftdrawer Crafts — Authority: 125
  Matching Pajamas for the entire family for the Holidays!
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• windows infections and other stuff - Nov 22,2009

  
  Laura and Ken Brody on Blog Talk Radio — Authority: 106
  Answers to computer questions in plain English. Questions are always welcome.
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• A great novel idea: “The economy without government”

  
  InvestmentWatch — Authority: 450
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• David Carradine’s Family Furious Over Leaked Death Photo

  
  The Medium Format Camera Site The Medium-Format Photography Blog — Authority: 162
  Thai Police say David Carradine’s death was most likely caused by a sex act gone wrong. But the family suspects murder and has gotten the FBI involved. Related Blogs Related Blogs on Carradine’s Related Blogs on David Related Blogs on Death Pm Lounge Dallas Tx …
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• Powerless Day Four

  
  Happy Hearts At Home — Authority: 504
  Not a good sign...Virginia Power conferring in the backyard for 30 minutes now...working on some power box thingy. Have you ever seen that skit on Saturday Night Live where the guy yells, "Just fix it!" ? Ohhhh, power has been restored! Yahhhhh! Thank you Virignia Power( finally )!
  2 hours ago

• Sad News

  
  Parrothead Jeff — Authority: 435
  Although it was not unexpected at all, it was still sad to hear that my last grandparent passed away this morning.  Heidi was actually Mom’s stepmom.  She was 103 years old and while she had trouble seeing, hearing, and walking, her mind was still sharp.  Heidi loved the outdoors and probably knew more about ...
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• NICU Quilts

  
  sparkle jars — Authority: 124
  I opened my front door and found a big bag of precut bindings. Thank you, Judi S (does the middle binding look familiar?). I bound five more NICU quilts for our guild over the weekend. :-)
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• Life In Mono: Save The Forest

  
  www.PrettyFireFly.com — Authority: 131
  [IMG: http://www.prettyfirefly.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/in-the-woods1.jpg]
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