yeah- if it helps you write it down and read it to them, that would be more personal. I know that sounds corny but it will always show them that it's something you thought about and prepared for and that you're seriously in a bind.

My cousin was kind of in the same boat as you. When she went to college, she got a lot of financial aid and instead of taking out a school loan, she put all her money that she had saved up for college life and spending money to her school. Then, she used credit cards for spending and food and gas. She raked up almost $16,000! She was so scared to tell her parents that she went to a credit counselor first and everything. Eventually the counselor just told her to tell her family. She did and what they worked out was that every payment she made, they matched it. So, it was really like she only paid off half of her debt without collecting so much interest. Now that it's all paid off, she's paying off her mom and dad.. They're not accepting it for themselves, they put it in an account and are going to give it to her for her wedding. She doesn't know that though.

I really feel that even if your family can't help you out, you'll feel so much better to tell them.. so they at least know where you stand.