I can attest to the family not being much help with writing. I have a sister in law who knows how to stroke my ego, and a husband who thinks I should just chuck all my ideas, write for the market and 'come up with something that's never been done before...all that wizards and rings and quests and things is old hat...do something different!' Which ain't helpful, because there is nothing new under the sun...but you cant convince him of that....of course, he has never read as much as I have...
Tell me about it. I get so frustrated with that at times! I feel so unoriginal most of the time...everything I think of is recycled in some way. Even when I *think* I've found something really unique...I often come across it later on and realize I'd just forgotten that particular book...
But I guess at least I can combine 'em in a new way!