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Estrangement

Another perspective on estrangement

(180 Posts)
ShropshireGal87 Wed 18-Dec-24 09:09:17

As we all know, there are many different scenarios that lead to estrangement in families and every one is unique. There are posts from estranged parents here about EAC who cut them off with little information or warning, parents who have been estranged over something seemingly trivial, and posts from EAC who have understandably decided to protect themselves and their families from future harm after years of abuse.

Sometimes EAC are described as having "thrown their parents away" or being cruel and disinterested. I am not doubting that is the case for some, and impossibly painful to cope with. I just wanted to give the perspective of a EAC who was very reluctant to estrange. For some EAC, they have tried to reach out to their parents numerous times, and would have loved for their parents to enter into a discussion about the situation so it could be resolved, only to be met with denial, refusal to listen, insults and complete lack of self reflection. For some EAC this can keep going round in circles for years because they really believe, or perhaps just hope, that something will shift one day and the situation can be resolved. They write letters, emails, have phone calls trying to explain the issue, only to be told at a later date that their parents have got no idea what the issue is.

They too see the adverts on TV of the perfect families at Christmas, or have an idea in their head about how things should be, and feel sad that they don't have that. But eventually, accept that the situation isn't healthy for anyone involved and it would be less toxic to cut ties and end the cycle.

I'm not quite sure what my message is. Perhaps just to remind everyone that every single situation is completely unique, and that an outsider can never fully understand the ins and outs. That EAC sometimes do give the reasons for estrangement and yet their parents claim not to know it, and some EPs do genuinely not know the reason, and that both of those situations are infuriating and heartbreaking. That some EAC may have been influenced by a third party, but also that some EPs do put the blame on a third party because it's easier than accepting dysfunction in their own family. But someone else having the opposite experience to yours does not invalidate your experience, and there is room for empathy for people on all sides.

I cannot understand the reasoning behind the "troll" posts but if they are intended to change people's ways of thinking, unfortunately they only serve to separate EAC from EPs who might otherwise benefit from hearing each others points if view.

Let's not make assumptions either way about people we know so little about.

Ziggy62 Wed 18-Dec-24 09:23:49

I've been thinking of writing something similar to this for a few days but couldn't find the words.

It's heartbreaking for both sides. I don't think EAC take the decision lightly, or at least I know I certainly didn't. I have to live with it every day but I also have to protect my own mental health.

I feel desperately sorry for all the EPs on here especially those who no longer see their grandchildren.

I agree we cannot make assumptions.

The decision to go NC is incredibly painful for everyone involved and at Christmas it's heartbreaking for all parties.

Hugs to all xxx

Smileless2012 Wed 18-Dec-24 09:24:45

Let's not make assumptions either way about people we know so little about I hope that the trolls this forum's been plagued with of late, and anyone who supports them and jumps on the band wagon reads this ShropshireGal.

I agree that the nastiness will only separate EAC from EP's who might otherwise benefit from hearing each others points of view and have said so here on GN many times.

Those that wish to silence EP's and prevent the healthy and mutually supportive discourse that we have had here between EP's and EAC, do nothing to further their cause and only serve to cast EAC in a very bad light.

Babs03 Wed 18-Dec-24 12:17:07

I welcome posts like this ShropshireGal, we need a different perspective which isn’t just a direct and sometimes abusive attack on EPs, and as Smiles has said can cast EACs in a poor light. Of course there are cases where EACs have no choice than to estrange and it will be with a heavy heart, and I believe their stories need to be told. Indeed my own DH was abused by his dad as a child, his father died whilst he was still a child otherwise he would have had to estrange as an adult, any other relationship would have been untenable.
I hope anyone estranged can feel they can come on here whether an EP an EAC or those estranged from siblings etc. Support is there for all. But sadly the number of abusive attacks from trolls on threads like this have surely driven those seeking support away which is unforgivable and vile.

Luminance Wed 18-Dec-24 13:25:13

I find talk of casting anyone in a bad light entirely disappointing and short sighted. This idea has been floating about on many posts and is reminiscent of the comments here about "scapegoating". A troll is a troll as my children explained to me, they can be anyone at all. They are not necessarily estranged from a parent or estranged from a child. Perhaps not estranged at all. They are a person who has an agenda which could be anything at all. Best ignored. How painful that anyone has to defend their right to participate here. The Troll is being allowed to win and cause the upset intended.

User138562 Wed 18-Dec-24 13:42:21

The trolling is pathetic, honestly. I agree that it could be anyone with any agenda. It doesn't matter who they are though. They will continue as long as people rise to their bait. Those who don't respond are not fun to troll.

I would encourage the person/people trolling to seek therapy instead of posting stupid messages on a forum aimed at hurting strangers. Stop coming to this forum that is causing obvious emotional distress to you.

I would also love it if members of the forum stopped trying to use a few trolls to justify talking poorly about an entire group of people.

Smileless2012 Wed 18-Dec-24 14:46:30

This is something as you know Babs that we've been discussing on the estrangement forum for years.

It has always been acknowledged and accepted that some EAC estranged due to their abusive/dysfunctional parents; it has always been acknowledged and accepted that some EP's are indeed abusive, but what drives the unpleasantness are those who refuse to acknowledge and accept that not all EP's are.

The only entire group that's being talked about poorly on this forum are the EP's User. Any EAC trolling this site, targeting and attacking EP's are casting EAC in a bad light and saying so is not using a few trolls to justify talking poorly about an entire group of people.

Burrish Wed 18-Dec-24 15:09:28

Excuse my stupidity but what does EAC EP stand for

Smileless2012 Wed 18-Dec-24 15:21:53

You're not stupid Burrish, the acronyms can be difficult to understand if you're new to GN. EAC = estranging adult child and EP = estranged parent.

Sago Wed 18-Dec-24 15:26:15

Let’s hope this thread isn’t hijacked.

I agree entirely with the OP, every case is different and there are two sides to every story.

The troll however is a very damaged and in need of help.

Ziggy62 Wed 18-Dec-24 15:27:58

Agreed

Smileless2012 Wed 18-Dec-24 15:28:57

Yes I agree Sago there's someone out there whose very damaged indeed who needs help, and trolling this forum isn't going to give them that.

Luminance Wed 18-Dec-24 15:56:54

I would like to reassure others that, I myself would never stoop to looking at them with anything other than empathy and kindness because of the behaviour of anyone else. I know my generation seems to make rather a fuss about stereotyping and labelling all sorts of groups but I have never thought that way myself not raised my children to be discriminating.

Smileless2012 Wed 18-Dec-24 16:00:56

confused who are the 'them' you are referring too Luminance?

Madgran77 Wed 18-Dec-24 16:32:09

I would also love it if members of the forum stopped trying to use a few trolls to justify talking poorly about an entire group of people

Sadly trolls are not needed for that to happen! Over the years I have regularly seen this happen with not a troll in sight. 😔

Smileless2012 Wed 18-Dec-24 16:36:53

Good point Madgran.

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Wed 18-Dec-24 16:37:22

A very sensible POV ShropshireLass. You make good, empathetic points. A breath of fresh air.
Happy Christmas!

Smileless2012 Wed 18-Dec-24 16:53:57

It's a bit confusing FGT because there is a member of GN called ShropshireLass but the OP is ShropshireGal.

DiamondLily Wed 18-Dec-24 16:55:09

Every estrangement is different - it’s that simple. People making assumptions adds nothing.

Whatever the various reasons, stereotyping anyone, from any so-called group, is pretty stupid. 🤷‍♀️

Sometimes estrangement is justified, sometimes not.

🙂

DiamondLily Wed 18-Dec-24 16:55:53

Smileless2012

It's a bit confusing FGT because there is a member of GN called ShropshireLass but the OP is ShropshireGal.

Oh…right, ok. 🙄

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Wed 18-Dec-24 17:00:25

Oops! Apologies everyone. 😮

Smileless2012 Wed 18-Dec-24 17:00:26

Exactly DL and we've been saying so for years.

Smileless2012 Wed 18-Dec-24 17:01:34

No need to apologise FGT as I said, it can be confusing {tchsmile].

DiamondLily Wed 18-Dec-24 17:09:27

Smileless2012

Exactly DL and we've been saying so for years.

Yep. I only hope, at times, that the happy and healed can move on with life, feeling positive👍

Smileless2012 Wed 18-Dec-24 17:16:47

That would be good wouldn't it DL.