Being Little Around Family

[Guest LostCaterpillar]

In my family we have a lot of gatherings, everything from joint birthday parties to full on family reunions. I'm the youngest of my closest extended family: aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. Growing up, I wasn't the most fond of these events; I usually just holed up in the guest room until there was food being served or presents opened. I've done much better at being social now that I've grown up, of course, but I sometimes let my childish side slip out. I find more and more each year of parties that I want to act more "little" around my family.  My family sees me as a more matured person, most people in my life do actually, and I've done a pretty good job of balancing my mature side with my childish side so far. However, I find myself feeling like I'm not me most of the time. I'm afraid if my family sees the side of myself I tend to hide, they wont take me seriously, or will look down on me for it.

 

Does anyone have any advice?

 

Is anyone facing a similar problem?

[Guest thewarmhoney]

In all honesty, I understand exactly where you are coming from. Sometimes I feel the same as you. Mature around family and occasionally slip to my little side. When I do some people say "What are you 5?"or "You are acting like a child" so I immediately stop.  I say do it around people in your family that you trust the most. I told my sister's and they are okay with it and watch over me. 

[LittleTeacup]

I think it's important to be yourself. I've gotten less of those "are you five?" type comments as I've gotten older because for several years (even before I knew I'm little) I answered "yes" and stuck to it. Of course there's always limits, but you don't want to be a stiff board. I guess I'm fortunate that I have some silly relatives so what's anyone gonna say to me doing my thing? Heck, my dad and uncle still play this baseball card game they've been doing since they were kids. And one of my grandmothers loves telling stories of things she did as a little girl without supervision (including gross stuff like chewing gum she found on the sidewalk).

 

Maybe you could try asking your grandparents about their childhoods? Many older people love being asked about that. Or if they could teach you a jump rope song or a popular game of the time or something. That could bring you closer to your family and also satisfy your childlike side.

[Littlest_Bee]

Hello everyone!

 

So, before my younger brother was born (with a huge age difference from my other siblings and me, I was the baby of the family. Even my twin brother insisted that he was technically older. And when everyone in the family tried to act all superior because "I know better, I'm older" even in cases where that just didn't apply from my point of view, well, being the youngest just sort of became my thing.

"I'm allowed to be silly because I'm the youngest, it's not my fault you insist on being grown up and boring."

I was precocious and at some point told my uncle that I don't intend to grow up just to some day be in therapy and try to reconnect with my inner child so if I feel like jumping in a rain puddle and I'm even wearing wellies, I damn well will do just that. Thank you very much. So, in a way my family has known for a long time that I'm "little at heart".

 

Then my younger brother was born and I was taking care of him a lot. So, not many people think it's weird or childish to be all over kid's stuff if you're busy playing with a small child or otherwise taking care of one.

It's acceptable and at that age I actually was trying to act more grown up so any childishness was socially acceptable.

 

Sooo, one possibility that sprung into my mind is that you could engage the children at your family gathering in games (provided there are children around).

Another possibility would be mentioning stuff about psychology and reconnecting with certain "simple pleasures" from childhood to live a more joyful life to provide a context for you doing certain childish things. I think a lot of people can relate to that even if they don't go to the same lengths as we inside this community do. My uncle ended up jumping into rain puddles himself eventually.

 

I hope you got some inspiration out of this, I really like LittleTeacup's idea of asking older relatives about their childhoods as well.

 

❤ You'll figure out a way.

Best wishes and take care. ☀

 

 

[Arkadina]

Being in Little Space is such a intimate and private thing that I can't even imagine doing it in front of my family. I 100% understand the whole "slipping into it" but I always try to catch myself before anyone notices. You are a very brave person for wanting to explore allowing yourself to be Little in front of family. I hope it goes well and you find a way so that they understand what's happening and that you won't get hurt or discouraged.