Tom,

Sorry to hear about your family-experience. Yes, I think it happens to all of us, there alway will be people who don't like what we've grown (and are proud of!). And when those people are family, it's even harder.

But it's your beard and your life, and it's your decision to grow a beard, because you like it. It doesn't change who you are. It's good to talk about this with your mother, tell her how disappointed you are, she loves you and will respect you for that.

On the other hand you are very blessed to live in an environment where having a (big) beard is no problem, your wife likes it, your daughter and her wife like it, and since they are the ones who are around most of the time, they are the ones who really count!

So: count your blessings an beard on happily and proudly!