One of many great things about feeling close to family is the ability to ask them for help. It is nice to know that those you are related to have your back when it comes to those situations that would be a lot more difficult to get through without a support network to rely on.

At the same time, there are usually limits when it comes to what a person can ask of their family members. These aren’t always the most clear-cut; it’s good to abide by some basic ground rules, like being ready to return the favor and even providing some financial compensation where necessary. It’s important to communicate about mutual expectations.

Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen. Some people take for granted that their relatives will have their backs unconditionally, and this isn’t always the case. While it can seem harsh, this can often be for reasons that are understandable.