dysfunctional family christmas stories

Exclusion is also a theme. There could be a family where one member is always left out. At Christmas, they are not included in the family photo or are given the least attention. This makes them feel unwanted and adds to the dysfunction of the family during the holiday season.

Unresolved family issues often play a big part. Let's say there was a feud between two sisters years ago. Christmas time just magnifies that problem as they are forced to be in the same room. They might exchange cold glares or make snide remarks throughout the day.

One story could be that the family always argues over who gets to carve the turkey. Every Christmas, it turns into a huge shouting match with accusations flying about who is more entitled to this 'honor'.

One story could be about a family where the parents are constantly arguing during Christmas. They fight over who cooked the turkey wrong or who didn't buy the right presents. The kids are left feeling sad and the whole Christmas mood is ruined.

Alcoholism or drug abuse is also prevalent. The addicted family member, usually a parent, is unable to be a proper caregiver. This creates a cycle of neglect and chaos. In 'The Glass Castle', Jeannette's father's alcoholism was a major factor in the family's instability.

One example could be 'Flowers in the Attic' by V.C. Andrews. In this story, there are complex and disturbing family relationships within a family. The mother locks her children in the attic and there are incestuous undertones among the siblings as a result of their isolated and dysfunctional family situation.

One common theme is power struggle. For example, in many stories, parents may try to dominate their children, leading to a lot of family unrest. Another theme is lack of communication. Family members often don't talk openly about their feelings or problems, which makes the situation worse. And secrets, like in 'A Rose for Emily', family secrets can be a huge source of dysfunction.

A third theme could be the presence of a difficult family member. This could be someone with an addiction, like alcohol or drugs, or just a very negative or controlling person. Their behavior can disrupt the whole family dynamic during the holidays and make it a really unpleasant time for everyone.

There was a family where the parents were constantly arguing. The father was an alcoholic and would often come home drunk, yelling at the mother. The mother, in her despair, would take it out on the children. The eldest son started to act out in school, getting into fights. The daughter became withdrawn and silent. It was a sad cycle of a dysfunctional family where no one seemed to be happy or at peace.

Dysfunctional family stories can lead to anxiety. For example, if there's constant fighting in the family, a person may always be on edge, fearing the next argument. It can also cause depression. A lack of love and support in the family can make a person feel worthless and sad.