Ask Polly

Ask Polly

Share this post

Ask Polly
Ask Polly
Is Your Family Driving You Crazy?

Is Your Family Driving You Crazy?

Some advice for dealing with relatives on your summer vacation.

Heather Havrilesky
Jun 30, 2025
∙ Paid
37

Share this post

Ask Polly
Ask Polly
Is Your Family Driving You Crazy?
6
6
Share
The Thousand and One Nights (1954), Jane Graverol

Summertime, and the living is not easy if you’re vacationing with your extended family. Why is spending time with blood relatives so difficult? Why are mothers and uncles and sisters and cousins alike so good at getting under our skin?

When I was younger, I never anticipated trouble. I saw family trips as …

This post is for paid subscribers

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Heather Havrilesky
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share