Being close-knit is not the same as being enmeshed. A close-knit family cares about each other and stays connected, but everyone still has their own space, opinions, and independence. Family members support one another without trying to control each other’s choices.  An enmeshed family, on the other hand, has very blurry boundaries. Love and loyalty may depend on doing what the family expects, and saying no can lead to guilt or conflict. In a close-knit family, closeness feels supportive — in an enmeshed family, it can start to feel suffocating.*