u/Sweet_Astronomer6254

Just as the heading says, about 2 weeks ago, I (29F) made the call and decided to go LC with my family. I truly thought it over for months, but it's been a thought in the back of my mind for years now. I cried over it, I thought about what it meant for me and my family, my life, and so on. I cried it over with my husband who is fully supportive in whatever decision I make. I still have support from him, my friends, and in-laws, the people that actually attempt to make themselves a part of my existence.

No more me initiating every conversation, hangout, holiday plans, etc, etc, etc. No more of me basically begging to have a relationship with my family, if you guys don't care to see me, that's fine by me.

The straw that ended up breaking the camels back was my siblings' birthdays about a month ago. For weeks prior, I asked my mom several times over and over again if there were going to be any plans - as I always do since we're celebrating multiple birthdays, it's always been easier to just ask her since she has always coordinated their birthday dinners. They are also 3.5 hours away, so it's unfortunately not just a drive down the road to see them, and it can be very difficult to get a housesitter very last second. I've embarrassingly had to ask friends to help out in the past and I truly hate even doing that.

I even texted her asking again Thursday morning, after their birthdays had already passed, "Did you ever plan anything?" "No, nothing yet." "Ok, let me know ASAP please!" Then the next night, she texts me while I'm already in bed, late at night, while my husband is already asleep,

"Are you doing anything tomorrow?"

"Maybe hanging out with with some friends. What's up?"

"[Sibling] is coming over, I was just curious if you'd want to."

No mention of other siblings coming over or other plans, she never gave me any details. I simply told her to keep me posted on any additional plans and I never got any. And my plans fell through with my friends, too, so I just ended up spending time with my husband anyways lol.

And then... I saw pictures on Facebook. All of my siblings, their spouses, my mom, her boyfriend, some of his family, and some of ours went. Apparently they had a huge birthday dinner. And no one cared to invite me, outside of a brief mention of one of my siblings visiting her. I'm sure she told them I was invited, but none of them have reached out to me. It hurt. A lot. And I started really stewing over whether or not this was all really worth it.

They already spent the summer making plans and never inviting me to any of those either. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I just got so tired of being hurt. I'm worthy of having people in my life that truly care about me and respect me.

And since then? I haven't made a text, or phone call, or Snapchat, or even sent a silly TikTok to any of my family. And neither have they. It's been quiet. It's been a lot less stressful. It's been nice. If I hear anything about the holidays, I might go, but I'm not asking. We have a family group chat where they're free to discuss. Normally I'm the one that structures the whole holiday plan together so I guess.. good luck with that? Not my problem anymore. I'm so relieved haha

My husband (27M) and I (28F) decided to start TTC at the end of last year and other than my first cycle off of BC (43 days), my cycles have been pretty average (28-32 days). I'm also the first in my friend group to TTC, so I don't have a lot of people with this kind of firsthand experience..

On average, it's been around 1-2 days spotting and 3-4 days with an actual flow. Of course I definitely didn't expect to conceive right away and there's certainly been fluctuations in my hormones, but it's mostly leveled out at this point. On top of that, I've been ovulation tracking using testing strips and temp tracking, and I've tried my best to be super on top of it - as well as trying not to go down the Google rabbit hole of checking every symptom! 🙃

Anywho.. This month so far has been a bit different. I'm currently (based on tracking) about 15 DPO. I had way more discharge than usual days before I started spotting - clear, liquidy, odorless discharge. Just something I noticed and is honestly still ongoing. On day 28, I took a pregnancy test (per usual), it was negative, but I was lightly cramping and my breasts HUUUUURT.

The next days might be slightly off because I don't know if this counts as a period or not:

On day 29-30 I was lightly spotting pink (none in pad, only noticable when wiping) with a singular dark brown, not red, clot and I figured I was definitely starting my period. Then day 31-32 it turned into brown.. still only when wiping. And cramping shifted from only one side, very light, not even painful. And now on day 33, almost nothing. Light cramping on one side still, breasts still semi sore, still slightly bloated. I definitely feel like I could still be on my period but I've never just stopped suddenly like this.. Should I give it a few more days or go ahead and test again? Does this even count as a period? Should I contact my gyno?

I'm totally aware that my tracking might just have been off and I simply ovulated late, I just don't even know what to count this as and need advice! lol 🙃

My husband (27M) and I (28F) decided to start TTC at the end of last year and other than my first cycle off of BC (43 days), my cycles have been pretty average (28-32 days). I'm also the first in my friend group to TTC, so I don't have a lot of people with this kind of firsthand experience..

On average, it's been around 1-2 days spotting and 3-4 days with an actual flow. Of course I definitely didn't expect to conceive right away and there's certainly been fluctuations in my hormones, but it's mostly leveled out at this point. On top of that, I've been ovulation tracking using testing strips and temp tracking, and I've tried my best to be super on top of it - as well as trying not to go down the Google rabbit hole of checking every symptom! 🙃

Anywho.. This month so far has been a bit different. I'm currently (based on tracking) about 15 DPO. I had way more discharge than usual days before I started spotting - clear, liquidy, odorless discharge. Just something I noticed and is honestly still ongoing. On day 28, I took a pregnancy test (per usual), it was negative, but I was lightly cramping and my breasts HUUUUURT.

The next days might be slightly off because I don't know if this counts as a period or not:

On day 29-30 I was lightly spotting pink (none in pad, only noticable when wiping) with a singular dark brown, not red, clot and I figured I was definitely starting my period. Then day 31-32 it turned into brown.. still only when wiping. And cramping shifted from only one side, very light, not even painful. And now on day 33, almost nothing. Light cramping on one side still, breasts still semi sore, still slightly bloated. I definitely feel like I could still be on my period but I've never just stopped suddenly like this.. Should I give it a few more days or go ahead and test again? Does this even count as a period? Should I contact my gyno?

I'm totally aware that my tracking might just have been off and I simply ovulated late, I just don't even know what to count this as and need advice! lol 🙃

(sorry, I don't use Reddit much, so forgive my posting style)

Last year, I found out I have a half brother (HB) via my great aunt (GA) who had taken a 23 and Me test. Apparently his mother already knew it was my dad, but he was curious about other family members, so he also took the test. My (our) dad is already long gone, unfortunately. He passed when I was only 19, back in 2017.

Well, my GA of course immediately had us get in touch. It was shocking, I honestly don't know about him, and I'm not really sure if he knew about me either. I still don't know how much or how little his mom told him. The only thing I do know is that she was dad's girlfriend at the time. I DO remember coming to my dad's house one day asking if she would be visiting that weekend and my dad's response was "I don't think we'll be seeing her again." I do remember him being very upset, but I was only 6-ish, so obviously my child brain couldn't comprehend the complexities of a relationship. I'd assume he knew she was pregnant, but I obviously can't ask those questions now.

And of course.. it was awkward. I did assure my HB that he's free to ask whatever he wants to. And to not be shy, I'd be happy to answer whatever he wants. I admittedly have a lot of anger and resentment towards dad because I just feel like he had to have known. There's no way.

Towards my HB though, I have tried being super friendly, putting awkwardness aside. Maybe his mom told him that dad was this awful, horrible person. Maybe he thinks I'm the same. Idk lol. I'm married, starting a family, I'm happy. We only met because he did the 23 and Me. Then he added me on all socials I have available. And we've had several small conversations throughout the year. I have a lot of mixed feelings about still it, but zero ill feelings towards him, truly. I don't know why dad did what he did, I don't know what happened, I'm more sorry that dad would ever be. Dad ended up being an abusive alcoholic within a year of their relationship ending and he never got better. I somehow came out the other side ok... I seriously don't know how much he knows.

I try not to pry, I do. He hasn't asked about me or our shared family, but I have been able to learn several things about him. I guess I'm a little bit curious why he'd even do the test to find family, add everyone, but not actively try to learn about who we are. Most of our conversations start by me reacting to his posts or stories honestly, then fade off naturally. But now? No responses, no emoji reactions, nothing. It does sting a little, but the feeling is honestly more confusing than anything, but I'm not angry by any means. I can kind of understand, I suppose.

Anyways.. I'm not really sure what the best thing to do is. Do I unfriend him on everything and just move on? He'd still be able to message me if he ever wanted to. Do I try one more time? I'm not sure what to do.