Embarresssed by cousin's activity

[HighClass]

My brother's son-in college-has become a big time Body Builder & posts pictures of himself on Facebook

My kids only see him a few times a year-but see his Facebook pictures , but think the huge muscles and the deep deep tan is just bizarre.

At our family Christmas events , he comes in a short sleeve shirt so he can flex his muscles and show off. I find it sort of strange.

So every time my kids say something about him and roll their eyes, I try to be diplomatic

 

[minkydog]

that's about all you can do. Every family has one--there's 2 or 3 in mine. Be cordial. You don't want your kids to pick up a bad attitude.

 

[Stacerita]

I wouldn't give it much thought and not care what he did.

 

[XYSRUS]

Why be embarrassed by someone who's dedicated to a sport? Not my cup of tea, but I would accentuate the positive.

 

[wvdisluv2]

That is the worst thing going on in your family? Based on the issues in my family...be grateful and don't worry

 

[Handbag Lady]

My cousin married a man 27 years her senior. They live with my aunt and her fifth husband. Recently, my cousin cheated on her husband and is now dating the man she cheated with... at the same time she still sleeps at her mom's house in her marital bed with her husband and her husband knows all about her dates. You see he, loves her SO much, she's allowed to do whatever she wants.

Wanna trade? I'll take a body-builder ANY day!

 

[EMom]

Back in high school, I had a boyfriend who was about 5'8" and maybe 140 lbs., tops. I went away to college, but when I'd come home on break, I'd occasionally go out with him to a movie or out to eat, just as buddies. I was home once for spring break, I think....and he called me and wanted to go out. I said yes and waited for him to come get me. I'd heard he was working out, but sweet lord I had no idea what was about to come up that driveway!

His car pulled up, he got out and walked toward my front door. I swear to God, it looked like Mighty Mouse was picking me up for a date! He must have been injecting, inhaling and ingesting steriods on a daily basis because his upper arms were the size of a football player's thighs! Yet his waist was about the size of mine! He was ever so proud of himself.

Clearly, what he saw when he looked in the mirror and what I saw were two different things. Sounds like you're in the same boat. Except your guy is family....

 

[clgwli]

I don't see why you are embarassed. While I personally do not like the way many body builders look (attractive wise level that is) I think if done properly it can be a great sport.

I think you should simply tell your kids that people come in all kinds of shapes and colors and not roll your eyes anymore at it all.

I can think of much worse things that family could do.

 

[pearlieq]

I'll trade ya. I'll take the body builder and you can have my uptight, organic only, holier-than-thou, tofurkey serving aunt. She is the death of joy and fun.

Deal?

 

[tonilea]

If he is the Fruit Loop in your family, drop to your knees and thank God for him!

 

[Stacerita]

That is the worst thing going on in your family? Based on the issues in my family...be grateful and don't worry

 

[bicker]

I think this falls into the category of, "reasonable expectation of respecting the lives each one of us are leading". Brother's son is engaging in innocuous activity; you can use it as an opportunity to teach your children how to graciously accept the differences between people.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I don't see why you are embarassed. While I personally do not like the way many body builders look (attractive wise level that is) I think if done properly it can be a great sport.

I think you should simply tell your kids that people come in all kinds of shapes and colors and not roll your eyes anymore at it all.

I can think of much worse things that family could do.

 

[powellrj]

That wasn't what I was expecting, I thought it was going to be some embarrassing criminal act like running a prositution or drug ring. If thats your most embarrassing cousin, count yourself lucky!

I watched the movie Grey Garden this weekend, now Jackie O had a cousin to be embarrassed about and she handled with with grace.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

We need pic's.

 

[alexandria674]

Does he call his muscles "girls"
Does he make jokes about them
"Hey, you have tickets?"
"For what"
"The gun show" flex*

 

[HighClass]

I watched the movie Grey Garden this weekend, now Jackie O had a cousin to be embarrassed about and she handled with with grace.

How was the movie? looled like an interesting couple of women


Cousin-Since he started the extreme tanning = gotten more silly looking

 

[ckay87]

I gotta tell you, I wouldn't roll my eyes or even encourage the eye rolling in my kids for the sake of making fun of another person's appearance or hobby. It's just a bad habit to encourage. It may not be your thing, you may not like the way it looks, but it's the guy's hobby. Live and let live.

 

[Camicar]

I don't really see why you're embarrassed about your cousin's bodybuilding. It's a sport that results in one's body being changed or enhanced in some way. Big whoop.

Would you be embarrassed if your cousin was a swimmer and shaved off all his body hair? Or if he were a runner and had over-developed thigh and calf muscles? Or a gymnast with large shoulders?

 

[PatsMom]

I don't personally care for the look of bodybuilders but I wouldn't be embarrased to have a body builder in the family. My son in law is a tattoo artist and body piercer. He and my step daughter are fairly heavily tattoo'd although they've let a lot of the piercings close up. Now they are down to just a few in the eyebrows and ears. Of course I've never asked about what doesn't show! Good thing I like tattoos. The piercings I could do without and I was glad when they started removing some of them.

I'd use the fact your kids evidently think body building is odd behavior as an opportunity to teach them about tolerance.