family

When you spend too much time with people a lot starts to happen. You can predict their moods, memorize their sleep schedule, and of course, you develop some kind of a dialect that only becomes more and more abstract with time. Made-up words can definitely solidify a relationship. So, who do we spend the most time with growing up? Yep, our families. And some 'famiolects' just happen to go much farther than others.

A child's job is basically to just make a mistake, then learn a lesson, then make a different mistake, and learn a different lesson. They are adorable little sponges that absorb everything around them and eventually gain enough confidence to make their own decisions. So sweet isn't it? Well, spoiler alert, the mistakes never really stop, it's kind of a central part of being a human. But if we're lucky they might be a little less silly than the ones we made we were itty bitty.

Every culture is rich with unique traditions. It is amazing to be able to hear how somebody else was brought up completely different from you. All cultures should be celebrated and loved. But let's be honest, whatever culture you grew up with: Western, Eastern-European, Asian, Middle-Eastern, etc, there are some questionable traditions that you never found weird until you grew up and realized not everyone could relate. Some just seem downright silly, but hey, a part of loving your culture is laughing at your culture!

A big part of dating someone is getting to know their family. Because if you end up marrying them, they will inevitably become your family too. No one wants to take on a crazy family, especially if you already have one of your own, but what happens when your partner's family only shows their wild side once it's too late? It's hard to walk away from someone you love because of their family, but everyone has their limit. These Redditers shared their stories of breaking up with someone they loved because their family was nuts and some of them are wild!

Don't you just love when the family gets together? After all the time apart, there's so much to catch up on, and so much love to go around. Or judgment. Maybe a little bit of both. Depending on the relative in question, you're either really hyped to see them or dreading being in the same room as them.

This holiday season is no different. It's time to refresh your memories when it comes to the best and worst relatives at every holiday dinner. We know it's a hard pill to swallow, but these people are integral to the reality of your life. You didn't choose 'em, but you're stuck with 'em for every holiday dinner till the end of time. Cheezcake babes, time to rip off the bandaid, get through it together, and celebrate our survival with hot toddies afterward!

Growing up with siblings has its ups and downs. If you're anything like me, your siblings drove you crazy when you were younger. Between stealing your stuff, telling your parents every time you did something wrong, and tackling you to the ground every ten minutes, it's hard to catch a break. On the other hand, having siblings means there's always someone to play with and someone who can relate to your parents crazy flip outs. These sibling memes will help you relate to all the feelings that having brothers and sisters gives you, bringing you back to those childhood days where you fought them for absolutely everything.

The photos of a dad who took part in a mermaid photoshoot with his eight-year-old daughter for her birthday have gone viral, capturing the hearts of everyone who saw them. Donned in pink and purple costumes - including mermaid tails - the pair looked like the best time creating the special memories for the little girl's birthday. Dad goals much?

Desirae Deal, the photographer who captured the event said, "I had the honor of doing a mermaid session for this sweet girl's 8th birthday, and all she wanted was for her Dad to join in on the fun. Let me tell you he did NOT disappoint! The laughs, the joy, and the memories they created were the absolute best gift he could've gave her. I have no doubt that this story, this priceless memory, will be talked about and cherished for generations to come. Take the pictures. Play with them every chance you get, for they are only little for so long." Check out the precious pictures below! 

Genetics is a weird thing and can go one of two ways. Sometimes, people look nothing like their parents and can even question whether they are genuinely related to them. But other times, family genes are so strong that looking at a picture of your parents or grandparents at the same age as you can feel like you're looking in the mirror. A Twitter user felt precisely this when she compared a picture of herself and her grandma, remarking that "Grandma's genes really hit copy n paste huh," which inspired others to show how much they look like their own family parents, grandparents and children. Here are some of the most uncanny resemblances that were submitted.

Everyone has secrets they keep from their family, whether it's because the truth would hurt their feelings, they simply don't want to hear it, or it would screw us over if we told them. They say ignorance is bliss, and that's certainly true for these Redditors, who responded to a thread asking for the things they would never confess to their family. The results are pretty shocking; check them out below. 

Although the bond between a parent and child is special, there is nothing quite like the love between grandparents and their grandchildren. It's something truly special to see a grandparent or even a great-grandparent if you're lucky staring lovingly into the face of their offspring's offspring. Here are some heartwarming photos of just that, which will make your day and put a smile on your face. 

Estranged or not, here are a few wholesome sibling stories that will make you want to reach out to your sibling. 

Guaranteed to provide you with a chuckle! Or at the very least, a small smile. Enjoy these tweets we've gathered for your enjoyment:

The hashtag, #MyBigFamilySecret, went viral on Twitter as users began to share their family's deepest darkest secrets. 

Bringing up politics at the Thanksgiving table can be tricky business.

These families get some good laughs every year. 

#ThanksgivingClapback is our new holiday treat