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Estrangement

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

(291 Posts)
Smileless2012 Thu 07-May-26 08:38:58

For those of us who've been living with estrangement for sometime and in many cases for years, we know how important this thread is.

The friendships we have made are our constant companions as we continue our journeys through our lives without the ones we have lost due to estrangement.

We have learned from one another that our estrangements don't define us and our desire to keep this thread going is as much for those who may not have posted before and maybe at the beginning of their estrangement, as it is for those of us who've been posting for sometime.

Our dear friend Babs posted the following several months ago and because it encapsulates so perfectly what we strive to achieve, I wrote it down for the OP of the next thread.

"We give advice in a calm and collected manner because we are removed from this storm, but when you are in it you cling to anything you think will get through to your child".

Thank you Babs for your wise and insightful words.

Smileless2012 Thu 16-Jul-26 17:05:15

Thanks everyone, he is rather sweet isn't he.

Had his first appointment at the vets with a nurse yesterday and she said he's the smallest puppy she's seen apart from new born's.

He weighed in at less than one kg and we think he's grown since Saturday!!!

He's the same colour as Poppy when she was a puppy Whiff, but she's lighter now. He's very good, using the trainer pads, missing occasionally but does go to the right place most of the time.

Gets me up at about 1.00 and 3.00 to 4.00 am and goes down after a 5 minute cuddle waking up about 6.00 am which isn't bad but I am definitely not a morning person. It will get easier when I don't have to get up during the night but he's so cute, he's worth it.

stillawipp Thu 16-Jul-26 16:12:01

Gorgeous puppy - good luck with her!

Bridey Thu 16-Jul-26 16:06:30

Awh Smiles, he is tooo cute for words!!

Whiff Thu 16-Jul-26 13:54:33

He is so cute . Love Ziggy's colour . He with keep you all on your toes . So glad you had him .

agnurse Thu 16-Jul-26 13:37:32

PUPPY!!!

(Pardon my fangirling. I like doggos and he is adorable.)

Madgran77 Thu 16-Jul-26 13:23:06

Smileless2012

Oops, try again

SO cute!

Smileless2012 Thu 16-Jul-26 10:45:36

Hooray smile.

Smileless2012 Thu 16-Jul-26 10:43:29

Oops, try again

Smileless2012 Thu 16-Jul-26 10:37:53

Say hello to Ziggy everyone

stillawipp Tue 14-Jul-26 16:46:12

Thank you so much, Smileless2012 - that’s very kind. We have lost two dogs now, and the remaining ones definitely grieved - we were shocked too at how much. But they soon move forward again and I’m sure Poppy & Ziggy will become close friends very soon

Smileless2012 Tue 14-Jul-26 16:35:14

How worrying for you stillawippflowers. I hope the surgery goes well and please let us know how it goes. I never expected Poppy to grieve TBH, not to the extent she has.

Now she's spending all her time running away from little Ziggy which at least will take her mind off little Piphmm.

I'm hoping Mr. S. will be able to post a pic later.

stillawipp Tue 14-Jul-26 12:36:17

Thank you Whiff , yes we are keeping everything crossed 🤞🏼

Whiff Tue 14-Jul-26 12:26:21

stillawipp hope everything goes well for your dogs surgery. Glad you have a clever vet. Fingers and toes for you and family. As your dog is your family to pets are better family than some humans . 🌹

stillawipp Tue 14-Jul-26 10:49:38

Smileless2012 I'm so pleased that you have now got a companion for your other dog - that has always been the hardest part of losing a dog for me, seeing the second one grieve for them.
Last Thursday I thought we would be in the same boat as you after our 12-year-old Labrador was found to have extensive masses in her pelvis on a CT scan....but the thinking has now changed after a very clever vet spotted something different on the scan, so we are feeling more positive now, ahead of surgery for her later this week. Ovarian Remnant Syndrome...who knew???

Whiff Tue 14-Jul-26 07:08:36

Grandmama you have come to the right place. Took me months of sending PMs to Smiles before I could post openly . Take your time but you have taken the brave step of posting here . Estrangement has been called a living grief can't remember who first said it but it is just that. You grief for the relationship you had with your child and or grandchildren . Like us don't know why it happened. Our children made their choice and don't care how much it hurts us. But they choose to do this not us. But we can choose how long we will let them hurt us.

For you its new. I still remember those early days and not understanding why . But what hurt me most I saw my son on my birthday 4 days before his email. The realisation my son is a cruel coward hurt more than the estrangement. He should have told me to my face . But I know he couldn't have done that . He didn't just estranged me but all our side of the family. I know my daughter in law has always been jealous of my daughter and how close I was to my son . Their dad died when our daughter was 20 & son 16.

Take you time and post anything you want and ask any questions. The longevity of this thread shows how it is needed more than ever. Estranging parents and other relatives has become epidemic because they can do it via technology and don't have to face us .

Ziggy is helping you, Mr S and Poppy get over Pippin dieing . Pippin was there when you needed him most with Poppy after your estrangement. Ziggy will take you all into the future and a new member of your family to love . He will help you cope with your grief and give Poppy a new lease of life as she in a way become his mom . Can't wait to see a picture of him .

This might make you laugh did me. I posted on thread on it was A something can't remember the rest of the letters forum . But according to Barbadosbelle I am rather hard and unsympathetic person and possibly/ probably rather difficult to get on with or please. Did write it down but can't read some of my hand writing . So lovely to to be judged by a person who I have never seen post anywhere before. 🤣

Yogin hope you had a wonderful time at you all day yoga . 🧘‍♂️ My daughter goes to days like that . Also there is a retreat not far from where we live she has bern the last 2 years for a couple of days with friends she made at boxercise class when her youngest was a baby and she could take him with her . He started school in September but the moms kept in touch .
Hard to believe they break up this week for summer hols.
Must remember to ask if she is doing it this year.

Yogin why are you sorry you have nothing to be sorry about . Your suggestion of a stick was kind you didn't know I had been using one for a long time . I call it my third leg. Children do ask me why I have it and explain I woukd fall without it . Then say if I fall could you help me up they say no. The faces on parents is funny but I always talk to children . I have faced disabled discrimination at high school and as an adult. If children are educated about any visible or invisible disabilities from an early age they won't become bigoted adults. I have both visible and invisible disabilities which I was born with . But I am just me .

Anyway better get up as move it or lose class this morning . It was baking yesterday afternoon for sit fit but 10 of us still turned up .
Going to be another hot day take care everyone .

Yoginimeisje Mon 13-Jul-26 09:26:17

Had a fantastic day yesterday; went to an all-day Yoga festival with friends.

Sorry Whiffs flowers

Need to jump in shower and then take Joey for his walkies for the first time at a normal midmorning time since this heatwave early morning dash!

Enjoy your first walkies with Ziggy Smiles

Yoginimeisje Mon 13-Jul-26 09:20:42

Grandmama Welcome.

In my experience, doing nothing is the best bet, act as if nothing is wrong. I did the opposite and regret it 13.5yrs on. Best of luck xx

Yoginimeisje Mon 13-Jul-26 09:18:40

Morning all

Came on today just to hear about your new puppy Smiles sounds like he is settling just in fine. If Mr.S sends the picture to you or you take the picture, then he can upload from your devise. It is easy to do though, just hit on 'choose file' below, your mobile pics will come up, then press 'open' on the one you want to send, you have to then write something then press 'post message' and it will come up with your post. Good luck with new puppy and posting xx

Bridey Sat 11-Jul-26 20:21:05

Awh, clever Ziggy, he has found a lovely home, hope he settles well.

Whiff Sat 11-Jul-26 19:51:30

Yogin I have walked with a walking stick since I was 29. Spent years until the children got older in a wheelchair when we went out together. Used it from 1988 our daughter was 4 years abd son 6 months old. My husband had wheelchair rage anyone cut in front of me he hit them. It was then I realised you become invisible when in a wheelchair. People would ask my husband what I want which enraged him and said as my wife or can't you see her. I was 19st in those days .

I still use my stick even to go to the bins but still fall. HPX is the gift that keeps giving .

To tired and to hot too write more.

Grandmama Sat 11-Jul-26 18:10:44

Thank you, Smileless2012.

Allsorts Sat 11-Jul-26 17:00:46

I am so envious Smileless, there is nothing like a little puppy taking over the place, I bet Poppy can’t understand where he has popped up from.

Smileless2012 Sat 11-Jul-26 14:24:30

We are all here for you if and when you want to open up Grandmama flowers.

Just a quickie from me, we're home with tiny Ziggy and he is really small. He's eaten and done his first wee grin. Oh, he's just done a pooh and both on the training pad - besotted puppy owner or what!!!

I'll ask Mr. S. to send a pic but last time he couldn't as he has to log on as me on his I Pad and last time he tried, it wouldn't let him.

Grandmama Sat 11-Jul-26 12:03:55

Good morning Gransnetters. I'm struggling myself at the moment but don't feel able yet to open up on here, hoping the unexpected and puzzling 'No Contact' with me will be short lived. I've been reading the posts on here and on Relationships to see how you manage to cope and live with losing loved family members. The stories have moved me very much and given me strength so to you all flowers flowers and love. I'll post this on Relationships as well.

Yoginimeisje Sat 11-Jul-26 10:57:20

Good to hear you had a good holiday with your brother Whiff and that you met up with an old school friend, how did that go? Think you should consider a walking stick to stop you falling so much. xx