What would you call a family that is like a "show" with in-laws and minor members treated as an audience?

[FrancisdeSales]

My dh's family interact like this when they are together, they barely acknowledge in-laws or even younger children. My children say they feel awkward and bored because noone talks to them. The ILs are having a whale of a time but everyone else is sidelined. What exactly is this dynamic? It's hard to understand.

[springydaffs]

It's the Perfect Family dynamic.

My family are like this. You couldn't meet a more sparkling, fascinating toxic brood group. They are infatuated with themselves. With their image.

[springydaffs]

It may not be that, though. But it's not very friendly is it

[WipsGlitter]

Sounds dreadful.

DP and I joke about being quiet church mice when we're going to my sisters and make squeaking noises at each other.

[LadyWithLapdog]

Do they think themselves to be in an episode of Hollyoaks?

[Shameandregret]

Shameless? Jeremy Kyle interviewees? Any rough family off a soap where the kids are banished upstairs?

Sounds rubbish OP!

[butteredmuffin]

Are your in-laws the Kardashians?

[daisytalks]

Crikey this sounds exactly like my husband's family! In fact I've noticed its newer in laws to the family (ie me etc) that barely get acknowledged - even though I've been married for 23 years)

[throwingpebbles]

Oh god sounds like some ex-in-laws of mine. They were excruciating.

[Marzipants]

My DF's family are like this. Except they are also all speaking a language that me and DS don't know. Thankfully we only saw them once a year.

[babba2014]

Mine do it too! And even in my home! I don't bother with em now.