I’ve never been hugged by either of my parents. I was wondering how usual/unusual this is.

[IdiotWhoDoesIdioticThings]

Every once in a while when I read here about family hugging and even more so cuddling I just go ”people actually do that?!” and I was wondering if anyone else’s family is/was like that. Your childhood family or the one you’ve made.

And bonus question, for me this also extent to friends. Honestly I donmt think I even know how or when to hug. Is that sad?

For reference I was raised by boomers and I’m an only child and extended family is small also, no physical show of affection from anyone.

YANBU - no hugs here either
YABU - some or lots of physical touch in our family

@Clariana Ditto. No hugs, no 'I love you' to either myself or my two brothers. Regarding the latter, I'm pretty sure it's because they didn't - my father never wanted children in the first place and my (Catholic) mother only had children as it was 'expected' and she made it pretty clear she regretted it.

Neither myself or my two brothers have gone on to have children of our own.

A few years ago I was sat in tears absolutely breaking my heart about a situation, and my Mum sat knelt on the floor next to the chair I was sitting in, with her head cocked to one side as if to say "Awww what a shame" and there was a massive massive awkwardness in the room that she wasn't hugging me. That's the first time it dawned on me. I understand not hugging all the time, like when leaving their house, when leaving events etc, but not hugging your own Daughter when she's visibly distressed and so upset about something is just so strange. I'm not a hugger in normal circumstances, but if a friend or someone I liked was so upset I couldn't NOT hug them. I just don't grasp how she didn't show affection then, and never actually has done.

Nope never really had hugs off my Mum, I lived with my Grandma during Primary and she was very cuddly

My Mum now tries it on with the hugs but I just cringe

I'm the same and my parents never cuddled kissed or actually praised me at all
I always told mine I loved them, as I'd never had that from my parents