Support and friendship for those whose lives have been affected by estrangement.

Article in The Times newspaper on Christmas Eve about estrangement - calling out online chat forums that encourage people to go no contact when they haven’t a clue about the reality or complexity of situations. Referenced it being ‘cult like’. Overall message was that people need their families (unless of course are serious abuse issues). We know this but is a relief when mainstream media begin noticing and commenting. Hope today has passed peacefully for all.

'Merry Christmas' my dear friends.

For almost 13 years I have found friendship and support that saved me.

Love to you all xx

Bah humbug lost my post 🤬no idea which finger hit some thing.
Wealth and power can't protect you from estrangement just look at the King.

My sister in law made these as part of my Christmas present.

Big Christmas hug to you all. I would have been lost without you all the last 5 years . 💞

Happy Christmas to all.

Off to meet my park friends for a little tipple & nibbles before going on to my DD&GC for Xmas dinner so should be a good day, wish you all the same. God Bless xxx

Read yesterday that the Beckhams have been estranged from their eldest son for a year now! It looks like it is the new d.i.l, so more of the same; jealousy of a once close birth family!

Wishing you all a Happy Christmas Day and Best wishes for 2026

Merry Christmas to you all, thank you all for your constant support, heres to a peaceful coming year.🎅🎄

Merry Christmas to you all. Have the best Christmas day you can . 🎄🥂🎁💞

Happy Christmas to you all. I will be thinking of you tomorrow. X

Had strange day today, felt as if I was outside looking in which is weird. Typing this a gardening post appeared so I had to delete it. Have a good Christmas to all my friends on here, we didn't want to be in this club but we are and things seem better for it.

Wishing all fellow estrangees a peaceful, holy and gentle Christmas. We carry a sadness but this doesn’t erase the many kindnesses and things that we’re thankful for. It’s not a perfect world, but there are still people/things to celebrate and enjoy. Love to all x

Haven't forgotten you all. Been caught up with going out and going in other forums not just on GN . But on BHF forum ,my HPX Face group and other local groups I am part of.

As usual spread myself thin. Woke at 4 in tears but they where for my husband not my son . I allow tears for my husband on Christmas eve but never Christmas day made that pact with myself in 2004 and stuck to it. Christmas was his favourite time of the year.

Hopefully be back later. If not all have the best Christmas you can and know our kids made their choices not us .

Wishing you all Merry Christmas and hope 2026 you do everything you want . 🎄🥂💞

That's not good Yogin and if I were you I'd complain. I used to do my own nail extensions and they would last for a lot longer than that; Gel ones should too.

What a rotten thing to have happened Debbie. I hope you've managed to get everything sorted and whoever stole your purse has a really rotten Christmas.

I don't bank or shop on line and don't have anything on my mobile 'phone Allsorts. Not that anyone would bother stealing it anyway as it's a little Doro and I only use it to make and receive calls and send and receive texts.

Well this is my favourite time at Christmas. Dental and hygiene appointments done this morning and the last food shop put away.

It was heaving in Tesco's and I picked up the last bag of sprouts, so pleased we didn't have to wait while they restocked. Appointments and shopping completed with just 5 minutes of the 2 hours time allowed in the car park to spare .

It happened to me as well and everything did get sorted, I now only carry one credit card, maximum £50 in cash and just the store cards for the stores I will be shopping at. I don't shop or bank on line. The one be thing I dread losing is my I phone everything is on it, wish it wasn't but that's modern life now.

Debbie a few years ago my purse was stolen when l was in the local town. It taught me a lesson, my life was all in there. Credit and debit cards, library, tesco, sparks cards, bus pass, everything. I now have it all spread around and protected.
But l will never forget the kindness of a stranger who drove me home.
I'm sorry this happened to you. Fortunately my thief hardly spent anything before the cards were stopped.
I had a visit from a nice policeman afterwards.
It will get sorted out for you, please don't get too stressed .

Yesterday I met a friend for a drink in a pub and someone stole my purse out of my bag. I had five bank cards in it and they immediately started spending my money. Grrr. I realised after an hour and froze my cards but now have to go through the fraud process with all the banks.
I should never have taken out all my cards together, so have learnt my lesson.
So please don't let this happen to you. There are some really horrible people out there who only care about themselves.
The pub incidentally got it on CCTV and I have reported it to the police. So I hope they get their comeuppance!
And it has all just added to my stress levels this Christmas!

Well, I'm off to Lakeside to meet our London family for Xmas lunch and present giving. I've heard the roads are really bad, so best set off extra early. Lakeside is about in the middle of us all and does have some nice restaurants.

My blooming nails that I had done for Xmas, just 9 days ago, costing £48, are already peeling off! One completely off, two half off, so sitting here doing a repair job

Nice post Allsorts

Hilltop big }}}Hugs{{{ it's like they can't leave you be, they must stick the knife in from time to time, just to make sure you're still hurting from them. You've done the best thing in not replying, take care.

Whiff I remember that scene, it made me weep. Hope you are ok and just busy with Xmas things xx

Well, that was lovely Debbie that all your family got together like that, for your mum. You are right that the move has to come from your estD, otherwise it probably won't last long, as she will feel that she was pushed into. Once you can let go, it does make you feel tons better, took my 6yrs though.

Morning all

So sorry to read about your shock Smiles, it does shake you up doesn't it and takes a while to get your head around it all and what to do for the best. Strangely I got an Xmas card with sister on from my brother this year, I do get a card each year, but this is the first one with sister on! As you may remember I haven't seen my brother since my mun's funeral.

Hilltop, very sorry your son did that to you. Glad you didn't reply, it really isn't worth it. He chose his time didn't he? How could you reconcile now, after six years it's too late, he is not the person you bought up.. Once you come to terms with that your world will open up again.You never forget how people make you feel do you? You have your tipple or two and enjoy those that you do have, including us.

It will have come as a shock Hilltop despite things not being right between you, you still wouldn't have expected to receive such a distressing email, and so close to Christmas.

I suppose the awful reality is just how low some of these EAC can sink, just to inflict even more pain on us. You'll need time get over what's happened so be kind to yourself and give yourself time to recover .

I'm glad you met up with your family yesterday Debbie. Maybe 2026 will be for you, the year that you begin the reluctant acceptance that your relationship with her is over.

I've often wondered if reconciliation were 'on the table' if it would be a matter of heart over head or head over heart, but this weekend has shown that for me, it's my gut that reacts first and seems to lead the way confirming what my head is telling me.

I've been wondering about my mum too, since Friday. Wondering if she knows what's happened and hoping and praying that if she does, she understands.

Thank you Smileless, my first reaction was to reply, but I'm so glad l didn't now. I couldn't believe he is now like that, but l have to believe it now. I can't quite get on as normal but am trying

Oh Hilltop that's awful, and to have sent something which you find unforgivable so close to Christmas, must have been with the sole intention of causing you as much upset as possible .

I'm pleased you've resolved not to reply and although no words can describe what it's like to accept that the relationship with your own child is finished, it does enable healing to begin.

Take care and thank you, for being here for all of us x.