Is it possible to have a close-knit extended family in these times?

Question

Such as your children knowing great aunts and uncles

Answer 1

Knitting does makes a family closer.

Answer 2

I believe so, my children know some of their great aunts and as far as their 3rd cousins.

   I think every family is different and every family member is different. Like I said my girls know some of their 3rd cousins but on the other hand, my brothers children don't know half of their first cousins--you read that right, some of my siblings have nothing to do with each other.

  I think family is very important once you weed out the crazy ones.

Answer 3

It is definitely possible. It takes some work, but family reunions help.  I have 12 aunts and uncles and 25 first cousins.  I  can name everyone of them in one sitting.  It takes us getting together about twice a year and sending emails and letters pretty frequently.  

Answer 4

Yes it is. It is up to the adults in the family to introduce their children to their great aunts and uncles and their children too. One way is to keep the holiday tradition of reunion going.

Hard work? Yes, but it pays.  

Answer 5

It is hard... the only family members I talk to are my parents and my sister which live in another country and the ones that do live in the same city as me (my grandparents, aunts, cousins) which I grew up around don't ever pick up the phone to see if I'm alive... all they do is criticize me.

Answer 6

YES   AND THE INTERNET CAN MAKE IT WAY EASIER

Answer 7

You have to make the effort and they have to be accepting.  But it seems like the people I am closest to is NOT my immediate family but rather my extended family.

Answer 8

Yes. Why not go visit your relatives some time or invite them to a home cooked meal? Or how about a big family reunion? Take your children to see elder relatives. That is the way I grew up. My mother and Aunt would take us to see them on a regular visit. And, I love older people. You can learn so much from them.

Answer 9

I don't even get along with my brothers. I am not close, we are not close, to any of our aunts or uncles...cousins whatever... much less great aunts or uncles... My mother is in contact with some of them but it's not like we get together for family gatherings and such. In a way I am grateful we donot; all they would do is talk ****...that's what family does. Eh.  

Answer 10

Yes - and that is how my family is. It helps that everyone makes an effort and has an interest in it. Living nearby helps too. Starting a family blog helps as well.

Answer 11

I think alot of it has to deal with WHERE you are too. I'm from a small village of 950ish, and the majority of people here are some type of relation even odd things like third cousins twice removed.

But I can see what you mean, Most people move around much more now than they did back then, so It would be harder to keep track of them.