Object when family avoids thinking (5)
I believe the answer is:
thing
'object' is the definition.
(an object is a thing or item)
'family avoids thinking' is the wordplay.
'family' becomes 'kin' (synonyms).
'avoids' suggests deleting specific letters.
'thinking' with 'kin' taken away is 'THING'.
'when' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for thing that I've seen before include "An unnamed object or item" , "Object; gadget" , "Inanimate object" , "cup of tea" , "Individual object" .)