The Buffer Zone Dysfunctional Family Survey results are in and the goal is to post one every day or so or three. The main question of our survey was: Without naming names, who is the relative in your family that causes all the drama? And what incident best illustrates their craziness, “personality” or friction they bring to your family?
photo courtesy of http://www.gabeclogston.com
“My brother definitely causes friction between my parents and me. I am older by 6 years, have always had a part-time job, got a scholarship to university, and landed an entry-level job in my field after I graduated. I was rewarded with a few promotions after logging countless hours, including nights and weekends. My brother didn’t work during high school because it would have interfered with his garage band practice. He dropped out of university because “It’s hard.” He has quit, or was fired, from a string of dead end jobs that interfered with his goal to become a lead singer in a hard rock band because they “were hard.” He singing ability is marginal, so the chance that he will be discovered is pretty slim. Not to mention, it is pretty hard to be noticed by a talent agent when you are sitting in the basement of my parents’ house (where he now lives) playing video games all day. Applying for jobs, making resumes and knocking on doors “are hard.” If that is what makes him happy, I’d be all for it IF he wasn’t draining my parents retirement fund in the process. And here’s the real kicker-no one can mention my latest promotion, the small house I am in the process of purchasing or any other good thing that has happened in my entire life because “it will make him feel bad.” He turns 39 years old in a few weeks. The amusing incident will occur when I take a box cutter to his controller cords.”
Thank you for your response anonymous achiever. His upcoming birthday would be the perfect time to cut the game console umbilical cords. The Buffer Zone congratulates you on your much deserved success, and we don’t care if that made your brother feel bad.
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Congrats on your promotion, house and other successes you have had along the way. Sorry it has to be downplayed so your brother can be content with his low achievement status. You my friend ROCK! It can’t make up for family support but you have your blog followers support. 🙂
I have realized blog followers can be a supportive type of family also. Perhaps it is because we are free to share our true thoughts and feelings under an alias. 🙂
This is a nice project, Diane. I will appreciate reading all these in days to come. Off to a great start. 🙂
Thank you for all of your supportive comments! They mean a lot coming from writer of your caliber. 🙂
This is a great survey Diane, really goes to show what so many of us are dealing with on a daily basis and how family dysfunction can impact us. Love your comments at the end 🙂
Thank you Sherri. I think every family tree has at least one dysfunctional relative. Just one, if we are lucky. 🙂