We both come from divorced parents. Hers are "happily" remarried... meaning they put up with their current spouses. My dad is an alcoholic. He remarried once and divorced again. I lived with him my entire life thru college. My mom is bi-polar and is doing well now - she is happily remarried. I have 2 younger brothers... my youngest has issues with alcohol/drugs and recently spent about a month in a mental hospital for some stress related disorder - not sure what really happened.
I have always felt like the 'parent' in my family. There were times when I was the only one with a drivers license. I tried to advise my younger brothers. I was very successful in school and sports. My family tells it how it is. We don't hold anything back... we fight, argue and then still love each other.
My W's family is very fake.. they pretend like everyone is friends... new spouses, etc pretend to get along. They never fight about anything, just keep it inside just like my wife.
