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Estrangement

Estrangement

(166 Posts)
Luminance Wed 02-Apr-25 18:55:29

What I have gathered from many situations here is it is best to take the DILs out of the situation. The relationship is with parent and child. It's always rather a good idea to talk to them and ask where the relationship may be improved I feel.

Portrait Wed 02-Apr-25 01:56:22

I'm so sorry Marg. It's heartbreaking to be cast away. I understand why you feel the way you do. It's really hard to have had a loving relationship with your child even as they reach adulthood and to have everything just go away. Sometimes it's a spouse, sometimes it's their peers or lifestyle, sometimes drugs and sometimes they just change into someone you don't recognize anymore. I know the pain doesn't ease. Truly sorry.

Toetoe Tue 01-Apr-25 22:42:07

❤️

Smileless2012 Tue 01-Apr-25 22:37:49

Hello Marg 12 years is a long time with nothing at all; it's been that long for us too flowers.

pascal is right about their being an extraordinary number of estrangements now and I also agree that social media plays its part.

You are not alone and I remember how important it was for me when I first posted here on GN 12 years ago to know that there were others talking about their own estrangements.

There's a support thread on this forum where we chat about our lives and share those times when we're struggling if you want to join us.

LOUISA1523 Tue 01-Apr-25 20:50:08

Thinking of you Marg .....I'm very sorry 🌻

stillawipp Tue 01-Apr-25 20:35:57

You are by no means alone, Marg75, and I hope by being brave enough to post on here you will realise that. There are so many sad stories - but also happy tales of reconciliations and also those with happy lives after no reconnection. No two estrangements are the same, and everything you feel about yours is valid and perfectly understandable.

Marg75 Tue 01-Apr-25 20:06:07

Thank you, you're all so kind.

pascal30 Tue 01-Apr-25 19:48:52

I am so sad to hear your confusion and pain Marj.. there are an extraordinary number of estrangements nowadays and I know it doesn't help but you are certainly not alone.. I think social media seems to encourage this entitled, uncaring behaviour..

Cossy Tue 01-Apr-25 19:41:07

I’m so sad for you, hopefully sharing might just alleviate a small part of the pain.

Take care thanks

sukie Tue 01-Apr-25 19:38:47

I'm so glad you posted. It give me a lot to think about. In our case, there are still young grandchildren. If it weren't for them begging for an occasional video chat, I've no doubt there would be no communication whatsoever.
Take care of yourself.

Marg75 Tue 01-Apr-25 19:31:00

Thank you. I was sitting here this evening and just felt like putting my feelings into words but there's so much more over the years that I can't begin to cover.

sukie Tue 01-Apr-25 19:23:18

I'm so sorry Marg75, I can feel your heartache in your words. It's hard to understand how a much loved son or daughter can let this happen. Our oldest son is on this path. It's both painful and bewildering for us. There is no estrangement, anger or hostility. His family life is very stressful and they live a two days drive from us. It seems that he just doesn't care enough to make an effort to reach out and he seldom responds to a text or email. Just nothing. I can see myself 10 years from now in the place you are and my heart goes out to you. flowers

stillawipp Tue 01-Apr-25 19:18:00

Yes indeed, but that doesn’t mean that your hurt isn’t equal to that. Estrangement is estrangement and is always very tough for one or both parties.

Marg75 Tue 01-Apr-25 19:12:57

There are no grandchildren involved which has made it sort of easier as I know there are many estranged parents with grandchildren children involved.

stillawipp Tue 01-Apr-25 19:10:35

That’s very sad Marg75 I’m so sorry, especially if there are grandchildren involved too. It must be very hard for you both.

Marg75 Tue 01-Apr-25 19:00:55

Our son was a happy little boy, I just have to look at our family photo albums to see that. He had a smile on his face in every photo.He was very much loved. Now, fifty two years on, I feel nothing for him at all. After a difficult teenage, nothing like drug taking, but just pulling further and further from us, he went to uni and met his future wife. She had a traumatic childhood, her father leaving the family home when she was twelve. This has resulted in us having thirty years of an on/off relationship with him because she didn't want to make a family with us. There was a card at Christmas, birthdays and Mothering Sunday, no presents, no flowers, nothing. For the last twelve years not even that, we haven't seen or spoken to him. He is in contact with our daughter sporadically. We have both just turned eighty and I can't forgive now, for me it's unforgivable that we should be treated so badly. It's too late now for us and so very sad. I have to say I feel no love.