20+ Stories That Prove Having a Supportive Family Is the Best Safety Net in the World

Sometimes, we all need a little help and support during tough situations. It doesn’t matter how it’s given: whether it’s simply a few kind words or someone racing across the country to bail us out of trouble. We put together stories of those lucky ones who know their family will always be there for them. And some people helped their loved ones more than once.

• I was swamped with work, and I had to go to the office even on Saturday. My husband stayed home with the kids, and I asked him to clean the apartment a little.
  I come home in the evening and see the scene: rhythmic music is playing, the kids are dancing with a broom and mop, cleaning the floor in the process, and my husband is putting things away while dancing. Everyone is in a good mood, happily following the cleaning plan.
  Even though I was tired, I wanted to join them. My husband organized a “cleaning party” for the kids. © Mamdarinka / VK

• My brother and I used to always fight as kids; rare were the days that passed peacefully. But one day, it so happened that I quite literally saved his health, if not his life—by pulling him out of the river.
  I carried him home in my arms—wet, cold, and shivering—and he promised weakly, “I won’t call you names for 6 months!” He lasted longer, though, as he still doesn’t call me names. © Caramel / VK
• I met my little brother when he was 11 and I was 23. He came home from school maybe a month into living together and excitedly held up a ceramic “horse bank” he made at school.
  As he held it up, supporting it by the tail, part of it broke off. I should point out now that this thing had tall ears, bulging eyes, and generally looked creepy. He loved it and was proud to have made it, though.
  As he held the ceramic horse with a now broken tail, tears began to fill his eyes. I quickly said, “It’s okay! It’s just a kitty now!” And that, my friends, is how I ended up with “horsey kitty.” © SaltMineForeman / Reddit
• My parents only graduated high school. They have been super supportive. I went back to school after having 2 kids. During my undergrad, my mom would schedule her vacation times around my finals and stay with me to babysit, cook, etc.
  In grad school, my dad looked up what I was studying. Recently, my PI got an award. I found out from him because he follows my lab on social media.
  My husband also meal prepped for me, packed my lunches, and cooked dinner most nights. I was pretty lucky. © patientrose / Reddit

• My daughter was 6 years old when I gave birth to our second child. After I came home from the hospital, she started taking care of her little brother: singing lullabies to put him to sleep, helping to feed him with a bottle. I hadn’t expected this.
  At first, my husband and I thought she would soon get tired of it. But now our son is 2 years old, and they are still inseparable. Our eldest rushes home from school because “my little brother is waiting for me!” © Mamdarinka / VK
• I am very grateful to my parents for everything they have done for me. I want to help them. But they refuse to take money from me. They live on their retirement money and somehow even manage to save.
  But I found a way out. I order them all sorts of gifts: red fish, caviar, clothes, and gadgets. Just recently, I upgraded my dad’s computer. They are okay to accept help only in the form of gifts and treats. © zolotaya.ryba / Pikabu
• At 16, shortly after getting my license, I misjudged the amount of space I had in a drive-thru and knocked the driver’s side mirror off of the family car. My parents were furious and were laying it into me for ages, getting really dramatic about it. I was embarrassed and upset.
  My older brother just walked into the garage where everybody was freaking out, quickly looked over the damage, and said, “Oh, that’s not as bad as I thought. Very fixable.” Everyone immediately calmed down and went their separate ways.
  My brother has always had this calm demeanor and way of making my parents come around to his side — and he didn’t keep that ability all to himself. He used it to get me and my younger sister out of trouble whenever he could. He’s pretty cool. © audiorek / Reddit
• I’m the daughter of an overprotective father. My dad used to make meals full of yummy garlic (I love garlic) before parties when I was a teenager.
  It wasn’t til years later I realized I probably smelled like garlic at all my high school parties! I confronted him about it, and he smiled and said, “I wondered when you’d realize.” I’m not too bright. © ladyanneboleyn / Reddit

• When my younger son turned 2.5, he started going to daycare. At first, everything was going wonderfully, but after a week, he started to dislike it. We had to set the older one (he was 4.7 years old) as an example: like, look, he goes there and everything is fine.
  However, even the older one isn't always in a cheerful mood in the morning, but now, after those words, he tries to live up to it. This morning, the little one was stubborn again, to which the older one sighed and said, "I have to be the man again!" © Mamdarinka / VK
• My mother-in-law helps me a lot, and I racked my brains to find a way to pay her back. She would definitely refuse money or anything material. And I don't like all sorts of souvenirs and other junk.
  So, I just bought her a trip to the seaside for no reason. She couldn't refuse that. The tickets are non-refundable. © Shanyy / Pikabu
• My brother and I are extremely close, and there are countless good memories I could tell. One of my favorites, though, is the story behind my tattoo.
  When we were little, my brother and I shared a bedroom. I had a lot of nightmares because I insisted on watching scary movies with him, even though he was older. Every time I would wake up scared, I would crawl into bed with him and wake him up to tell him about my bad dream. Then he would tell me the story about dreamcatchers and how the one next to his bed would keep me safe.
  He never once complained about me waking him up, even though he was a kid and it would be reasonable if he got upset. So now I have a dreamcatcher tattoo. © impala67fez221b / Reddit
• I was having a bad day. I went to my Mom’s and she noticed. She just held me as I cried for a bit, snuggled up on the couch. Made me dinner. Got me a present since I was feeling down.
  I’m 26. It was nice to be able to let go. Let my Mom take all my worries away, and just be her little girl again. © Unknown author / Reddit

• We had grandpa’s birthday just around the corner, and the kids were traditionally preparing gifts—each in their own way. I noticed that the younger one was walking around upset. He wanted to make a card for Grandpa with a character from his favorite cartoon, but he wasn’t really strong in drawing; he could barely do a house.
  When we suggested he draw something else, he got even more upset. That’s when his older brother stepped in. They sat down together, and I peeked in from time to time.
  The younger one picked a scene from the cartoon, the older one drew it in black and white, and then the younger one painted it with watercolors under his brother’s careful guidance. Grandpa loved it. © Pushenja / Pikabu
• I decided to become a psychologist and managed to get into a university in another city. I told my grandparents about it. Grandpa simply smiled and noted, “I once went to a psychologist a long time ago; he immediately understood what was wrong with me. Just a remarkable guy!”
  That’s all I needed to hear from them. I realized I made the right choice, and my grandparents are supporting me. I adore them. © Zestyclose-Tailor320 / Reddit
• My brother got divorced and later found out that his only child wasn’t actually his. He decided to tell me about it. I asked him, “So, the child isn’t yours?” And he calmly replied, “You don’t understand, I’m not the biological father, but the child is still mine!”
  In the end, my brother was granted full custody, yet he doesn’t hinder the child’s communication with his mother. And he never once said a bad word about his ex-wife. I’m so proud of him. © Inspiring-Insect / Reddit

• Earlier, my great-aunt seemed strange and a bit stingy to me. Only years later did I realize what kind of woman she was—she gave the children an education, helped with connections, got them good jobs, and helped buy a house.
  Then her grandchildren, thanks to her, received a good education, and she helped them with housing. Her husband fell ill, and she takes care of him like he’s a child; they’ve been together their whole lives, for over 50 years. I respect her. © Lisi4kaUruru / Pikabu
• Yesterday was my husband’s birthday, so we’re finishing up the leftover food. My daughter is eating potatoes with meat, even though she doesn’t like meat at all. She says in a drawn-out way, “But in the ads, kids eat all kinds of bars and cereals.”
  My 11-year-old son is chewing and suddenly says, “Well, maybe their mom can’t cook, so they eat all this trash.” © mommdarinka
• I was 1,500 miles from home and had a bit of an emotional breakdown and could not stand to stay where I was but had no way home. Things kind of fell apart in the middle of the night, when the only person awake that I could talk to was my older brother.
  My brother wanted to drive out and get me himself, even though he had to work and had never made that kind of a drive. Luckily he didn’t have to, but it made me feel really loved. © Oluja / Reddit

• My brother used to rap. He saved money and bought the equipment required. My parents never agreed with him being a rapper. So he recorded his songs in his room while I kept a check on the door in case one of my parents was coming upstairs.
  It was a scary thing to do because both my parents are narcissists. So they would’ve been really, really mad if they knew. But eventually, he lost motivation and stopped.
  To this day, no one in my family knows that he used to rap. We still laugh remembering it sometimes. © Dazzlinn / Reddit
• I was raised by my grandma. I remember when I was about 14, I had a big argument with her over something trivial and stormed out, slamming the door. I ended up crashing at a good friend’s place—he lived literally around the corner.
  In the morning, his mom woke me up for breakfast. I walked into the kitchen, and there were grandma’s cherry pies, which I could never confuse with any other. And a note: “You’re my darling. I’m sorry, come home, there’s even more of your favorite pies here!”
  Naturally, she knew where I was because he was my only friend. I cried so much, thanked my friend’s mom, and rushed home, where the most dear person in the world was waiting for me. © Caramel / VK
• I was short on money, living on instant noodles. It was awkward to ask my parents for help. Suddenly, my mom calls me at work and says she’s going to drop by my place and leave some treats. Great!
  I come home in the evening, open the fridge, and freeze in shock. Besides a bunch of food, there’s also an envelope with money. Apparently, my parents realized I was struggling and decided to support me. They really saved me.
• We celebrated our daughter’s birthday with a large group. The birthday girl is quite picky, so I decided to bake the cake myself. When it was time for dessert, the aunt looked at the cake and remarked, “It looks a bit fatty! I’m not sure if I should eat it.”
  Without batting an eye, my daughter walked over, took her plate with the piece of cake, and said, “Thanks, Auntie! I think I’ll eat your piece too. The cake is just too delicious!”

Do you have someone who you can call for help at any time of day or night? Share your stories in the comments below.

And here are stories about family dramas that stirred up a storm of emotions.