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Estrangement

What would you do ?

(26 Posts)
Aura399 Mon 22-Sept-25 14:08:20

The youngest of my 3 Daughters estranged herself from her father when he and I divorced 20 years ago . I reverted back to my maiden name after the divorce and she of her own volition also changed her surname to my maiden name. She wes 18 at the time. Three years ago she married her partner of 10 years, they had 7 year old twin boys at the time of getting married. Up to this point I had travelled for Cardiff to Oxford generally twice a week since their birth to assist with childcare and sop became very close. When announcing her wedding three years ago she re established her relationship with her father. He said he would like to give her away at the wedding ( a registry office affair ) the trade off being that she reverted back to her original surname (his) , and that if she did so she would be included in his will. My ex husband is a wealthy man. (I’m not wealthy).
She ghosted me at the wedding and has continued to do so ever since. I have continued to send Birthday, Christmas etc. cards, presents (often expensive ones)to both her and the boys, to which I have received a short text message as a response or no response at all. She has avoided all contact including weaponising the boys. ( in fact one of them attempted to ring me the other day and she intervened and cut him off) . So my dilemma is that should I continue to send gifts cards etc ? or Do I give up ? What would you do ?

keepingquiet Mon 22-Sept-25 14:58:57

I think you asked this question on another thread.

Smileless2012 Mon 22-Sept-25 15:36:20

I would continue to send her cards and cards and gifts to the children Aura but not necessarily expensive ones.

ExDancer Mon 22-Sept-25 15:40:34

Have you any idea why she ghosted you at her wedding?

crazyH Mon 22-Sept-25 16:08:28

If your ex-husband is wealthy, surely you would have got a sizeable settlement. Regardless, please continue to send cards and presents for your GC. So sad that one of the boys tried to phone you and got cut-off, by your daughter. They obviously love you. Yes, please continue cards and presents.
Some years ago, something similar happened with my middle son, but I still saw the little girl, at their house for a couple of hours every week.
I find that a lot of divorced mums are facing this. The AC are always in a dilemma . It’s all very sad,
Btw the issue with my middle son was nothing to with ‘split loyalty’. He’s always been a sensitive boy, and something I said, caused him to go off on his high horse !!! 😫

Squiffy Mon 22-Sept-25 16:35:17

He said he would like to give her away at the wedding ( a registry office affair ) the trade off being that she reverted back to her original surname (his) , and that if she did so she would be included in his will.

Does this mean that she could not take her husband’s name - assuming that she may have wanted to?

sandye Tue 23-Sept-25 14:24:57

I personally would still send gifts to the children. Would make sure my will reflected that only the children would inherit. maybe leave then a letter for the children with a solicitor. Sorry but I don't believe that parents should forgive all. Sometimes you have to show how hurt you were. This is what we have done in a similar situation.

Grammaretto Tue 23-Sept-25 15:10:29

I don't understand the change of name business.
How did you know this was happening?
Had you tried to prevent her? Is this the cause of the rift?

She, DD sounds thoroughly ungrateful.
Continue to send cards etc to the twins but don't include her.
I hope you find a way through this far too common problem.

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Tue 23-Sept-25 15:25:54

Eggshell territory.
Grandchildren held to ransom.

If it were me?
Much as I adore my grandchildren if my daughter treated me so disrespectfully after all the years with help, travel, childcare and love?

I’d leave them to it.

Sorry if that seems cavalier and harsh. You’re probably saying ‘that’s okay for you to suggest when it’s not tearing YOU apart’.

But I know without a shadow of a doubt I’d throw them all together, get on with MY life (albeit very sad) and let her stew in her juices. Her dad is wealthy? So bluddy what.

She obviously knows the cost of much and the value of nothing here.

She’d have to come to me.
With a big apology.

And if she didn’t? Well, that’s life in the fast lane.

knspol Tue 23-Sept-25 15:51:43

Do I understand that the father would only give her away if she changed her name? If she agreed to that then it shows a lot about her father and your daughter. You're in a very difficult situation but I would carry on giving gifts to the boys and just hoping they actually receive them and that at some later stage , perhaps when they are older, you may have a worthwhile relationship with them.

Susieq62 Tue 23-Sept-25 16:20:09

Keep communicating with the boys, ignore her as she does not seem to deserve you as I read it!
You could put money away for the boys in trust accounts if that helps you!
Sorry you have been treated so badly ! Could her husband intervene and mediate??

Sadgrandma Tue 23-Sept-25 17:41:23

keepingquiet
I think you asked this question on another thread.

Yes you did on 21st September and did receive some helpful replies.

grandtanteJE65 Tue 23-Sept-25 17:44:17

Put the money you would us on presents for the boys into two separate bank accounts in their names with the proviso that the boys cannot withdraw any of the m oney until they are of age.

By doing so, you are indicating to your grandsons when they are old enough to understand that you love them and continued to think of them and that the estrangement was not something you wanted.

Apart from this, make no attempt to contact your daughter or her family. She has shown all too clearly that she prefers her father's money to you.

Allsorts Tue 23-Sept-25 18:52:53

I sent cards to my d, sil, my gd D would not tell me why she estranged me and all family. I sent my gd money or gift cards. Paid money into a bank account so she had the same lump sum as my other gc. I always assumed I must be at fault because who dumps their mother. My gd made contact when she finished University, but I do not see her, every time she came my d contacted her and home she went. I should have walked away years ago. I am ashamed of her now.

FranP Tue 23-Sept-25 22:19:26

Sounds to me like your ex has said something about the divorce, perhaps blaming you for the break up. Also, he may be insisting on no contact

sazz1 Tue 23-Sept-25 23:50:02

I would continue to send presents and cards to the children only.
My theory has always been they will need me before I need them.

nexus63 Wed 24-Sept-25 08:42:08

give up, my mum had to do the same, it hurt her so much at the time but she had to get on with her own life.

Kamj Wed 24-Sept-25 11:50:53

What do you other children say on this matter?

Kamj Wed 24-Sept-25 11:51:23

Kamj

What do you other children say on this matter?

Your*

Allsorts Thu 25-Sept-25 07:47:05

Just send the cards.

BattleA21 Sat 04-Oct-25 21:21:39

I have been in a not dissimilar situation and after much heartache and soul searching I stepped away.
No contact with either my DD or DS for years now.
I just refused to be played like some sort of game.
There are grandchildren involved. I don't know them or even their names, birthdays etc.
I now value my peace and I value myself.
I will never step back into the turmoil of the past.

Beautyschooldropout Fri 10-Oct-25 06:57:25

grandtanteJE65

Put the money you would us on presents for the boys into two separate bank accounts in their names with the proviso that the boys cannot withdraw any of the m oney until they are of age.

By doing so, you are indicating to your grandsons when they are old enough to understand that you love them and continued to think of them and that the estrangement was not something you wanted.

Apart from this, make no attempt to contact your daughter or her family. She has shown all too clearly that she prefers her father's money to you.

The only proviso I'd make to this is that your grandsons are the only people allowed withdraw the money. Talking to your bank's estate officer for multi-level ID proof access could be considered over-kill but still ensures your GCs are protected.

Allsorts Fri 10-Oct-25 07:00:53

Battle, you are a strong person. I do hope you are happy.

Whiff Fri 10-Oct-25 09:44:14

Battle you are a very strong woman who knew you need to put yourself first. Took me 3 years to give up hope of seeing or hearing from my son after he estranged me via email in 2020 and follow up letter. Last time I saw my grandsons they where 4&2 and don't even know the name of their brother . They are now 9,7&5

My son as much as I still love him is a stranger to me but I am no longer the mom he knew . For all he and my daughter in law put me through. It's nothing compared to my husband dieing in 2004..

I live my life to the full and if he did want to contact me which he won't he wouldn't have and easy time . As I have long lost any tolerance for his behaviour and he won't be welcomed with open arms .

I have a loving and caring daughter ,son in law and 2 grandsons. Who I see regularly. She laughs the boys and me have a busier social life than she does.

Adult children and adult grandchildren think they can treat parents and grandparents anyway they like and not face any consequences. They are fools. Didn't put up with bad behaviour from my son when he was a child and definitely haven't since the estrangement.

Whooff Sun 12-Oct-25 09:57:05

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