I'm so sorry you have to endure snide comments from your family. It's one thing for a co-worker or stranger to make a comment like that ... but it hurts more when it comes from your relatives.
But don't let them get you down. My mother and father never had an issue with potty pads ... in fact, they thought they were a great idea! But a co-worker once made a comment about how they're gross and my house must stink or urine and crap. I immediately corrected her and explained my situation (even though I don't HAVE to explain to anyone) but I did it so that she would never bring it up again (and she never has).
Basically, I have 3 pee pads down. When my dogs poop (and I'm home), I immediately pick it up with a piece of toilet paper and flush it down the toilet. I change their pads first thing in the morning, immediately when I get home from work and before I go to sleep at night. I throw my grabage out every single morning (even if it's barely full) because it has the pee pads in there -- granted, there is no poop on the pads because I flush them but I don't want that urine smell sitting overnight in my garbage can). I also have FOUR (4) Yankee Candle scented plug-ins in the room where the pee pads are (I usually use the Macintosh Apple scent -- yum!
). In addition, every morning (for about 15-20 minutes) and every night (again, for about 15-20 minutes), I hope my patio doors just to air out the house and get rid of any possible scent that might be lingering.