A gift is given willingly—usually without having an expectation placed upon it. Sure, when you're a kid, you might have gotten away with giving Mom and Dad some direction as to what to get you so that you didn't end up with something that wasn't worth anyone's money or time. For instance, if you asked your parents for just a generic “Gameboy game,” you'd wind up with some blockbuster movie cash grab that was almost unplayable and made by some third-party developer instead of the Pokemon game yo…

Family dynamics are tough, and when it comes to siblings and cousins—as close as you might be—there's a very good chance that as you grow up you'll grow apart as you find your own path's in life. It's one of the hardest things to experience and leaves a lasting impression on you, but maybe you were better off without them. After all, they're all crazy, but you're not… right? Statistics aren't on your side but surely your apple must have fallen a little further from the tree than the rest of the…

Forgetful parents are one thing, but when they fail to tell you they're going on vacation, that's a whole other can of worms. I remember my parents once forgot to tell me that they were visiting my state. When I found out (via pictures on Facebook, mind you) I was absolutely livid. I could have taken time off to spend with them but instead, I was stuck on a big project and couldn't drop everything at the last second. Plus, I didn't even really want to see them at that point. How could they forg…

We all have that one childhood memory that was so funny it turned into a legend. Being a kid is one of the most fun times in life. You wake up in the morning and get to play all day long. It's a time of endless creativity as kids learn how to interact with the world around them and the people in their lives. And, if you've ever interacted with a toddler for more than five minutes, you know that kids get into trouble like it's their job. They're like little whirlwinds of chaos . They find an ope…

These siblings were trying not to argue in front of the kids, but they just can't agree on who needs to repay who . Children will get into everything that they can. They don't always understand the concept of valuable items. They have no problem throwing food on the floor, breaking plates or vases, or keying your car, just to name a few examples. Their brains simply aren't developed enough to know why some things are more important to grown-ups than others. That's why it's usually the responsib…

The only reason any of us are enduring our workday for the sake of a measly paycheck is because life is expensive. Watching our bills, groceries, car payments, and rent go up every month isn't exactly an encouraging reality, but only a deluded person would think that the luxuries in life (like a full fridge and gas in your car) would come without a price tag–but then again...

Nothing is worse than someone who thinks they are the exception to every rule—especially when that person is your sibling. And, if you think you are the exception to a rule when you haven't been told explicitly such... You probably aren't. It's important here to take a look in the mirror and realize that each and every one of us does this to an extent. It should come as no surprise that a lot of these involve driving. “Speed limits? But I'm a good driver; I can drive 5 or 10 over safely!” or “I…

Should money and family go hand in hand? The reality is, there isn't really a way around it. From the moment you are born, your parents have to financially support you, and as you grow up, money is always an issue that needs to be addressed. Even once you become a financially independent adult, somehow money always is a conversation at some point in family meetings. So as much as I would love to say you shouldn't mix family with money, I know it is not the most realistic advice, and the woman w…

When this newlywed told the internet they “could use some judgement” about their wedding, the internet did not hold back. They told the OP exactly what they thought about some pretty strange wedding plans. It's no secret that weddings are expensive. It's basically the first thing you learn when you start researching: the prices are outrageous for everything from the venue to the food to the DJ. Unless you're planning to throw on a tee shirt and elope from the local court house, you're probably…

Isn't it just a kick in the teeth when you really go out of your way to help someone and they aren't even grateful? Or worse, they totally take advantage of your kindness? That knife in your back feels even worse when it's from your own family. But, family drama is no mystery to the world and happens often. Take this woman, for example, who recently cut her own sister out of her life. Her sister was a struggling mother of three, so she went out of her way to help her as best as she could. She d…

An $18,870 fine after a traffic stop is absolutely insane. Unfortunately, this is the harsh reality for the OP's 26-year-old brother, who now has one year to pay it off. Working extra hours seems like the obvious solution to generate the needed cash. However, this assumes the OP hasn't had to sell his car to cover some of the expenses. Regardless, his license is now suspended, meaning the entitled brother relies on others for transportation.

Spending time in a long car ride with your sibling tests your rage levels like nothing else. Back in the day, before digital maps were a thing, I would be in charge of telling my father where to go, which turn to take, etc, and the car ride always ended with him shouting and me in tears. Now, if I'm driving with a family member somewhere, I tell them to argue with the app, not with me. This brother found a clever way to get back at his sister when they were headed to meet their dad at a car dea…

Every family has their quirks, especially when it comes to creating holiday traditions . Even though Christmas specials on TV depict the day the same way, every family is quite different with how they celebrate the special day. On TV, the family might gather around the tree and open presents on by one. Seems pretty straightforward, right? Well, one person in this thread wrote that their family loves to let the kids open just one single present per hour. They get to open a gift, and then wait a…

It's that time of the year to begin planning what you'll gift your friends and loved ones for the holidays. There are so many wonderful parts of the holiday season , and gathering with your favorite people for a meal and a gift exchange is one of those great times. Next up, “ Susan the Snack Stealer ” tried to pull some shenanigans at the office potluck, but her colleagues were ready to confront her-- as a group.

Our OP had the ultimate comeback to his entitled sister-in-law who tried to shame him for living in a trailer and working a blue-collar job. In front of their whole family, and in our OP's mobile home, she told her children to stay in school or they will end up like their uncle. She said she doesn't want her kids “working with their hands.” She backed her statement by saying that him and his wife are doing OK, but what if they wanted children? Little did she know he invited his family over to t…

Let's set the record straight: we, along with the rest of Reddit, are totally Team OP. Let's get into it. The story starts out with the OP's Karen of a stepsister mortifying her at a family dinner. She drops the bombshell that she's expecting, and then, in an attempt at a toast, she calls out her sister for being "bigger in size and heart." Not cool. And if that wasn't enough, the stepsister then thanks the OP for letting her...