Why should I care?

[MuffinBaker]

If I dropped dead now there is no one in my birth (as opposed to DH and DCs) family who would care.

So why have I laminated the fmaily tree my uncle sent me and kept anything else I have from being small?

Ermm...because you're human?
And you want them to care?

Not sure I do. Just 37 years to late.

I guess I want to feel like I belong somewhere.

Can't think why I have kept everything the kids have ever made, worn, drawn or thrown up on.

I have moved so many times I have lost everything my DS1 ever made, wore , drew or threw up on and I feel really bad about that.

can i have some of yours??

You kept everythin? Can't imagine that! Not with 5 DC. Have a small box each, and a larger box of few selected paintings and some schoolwork!

Okay slightly over reacted maybe [feeling a bit flat]

Have kept 95% of what they have made and some special clothes/shoes.

Because you want to be different to them. I hope i am a very different parent to my mother.
Family is important - even the ones you dont get on with, and i try and teach my children about where they came from by telling them the good and the bad faimily stories.

The kids ask the odd question but I answer with as little info as I can. I have no plans at all to tell them about my childhood.

You are the family now. you and your DC.

I guess I don't feel like I fit in anywhere - sometimes not even in my own husband and children family.