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Estrangement

I need advice for a mutually messy situation

(129 Posts)
sundown Sat 08-Aug-26 02:23:26

I'm coming from the perspective of a daughter who has estranged herself from her father. I have a great relationship with my mom, but I simply can't keep holding up the relationship with my father. I've tried talking to him many times, to no avail.

He doesn't take my thoughts or feelings into consideration; he believes that as long as he's comfortable with his words and actions, everyone else should be too. He can't see outside of his own perspective. He constantly dismisses me and makes me uncomfortable, then says it's my fault and that I need to change myself to suit his needs yet he would never change any of his behaviors for me.

It feels like he's stuck in a fantasy version of reality. When there's a problem, his go-to is to ignore, dismiss, deflect, or straight-up pretend that what's happening isn't happening. If anyone pushes back, he explodes. It leaves you in a position where you just have to stay quiet and never speak up for yourself if it goes against his narrative.

At the same time, he has made many sacrifices for me. He’s brought me groceries when I was sick, paid for my heart surgery, and financially supported me through my struggles with mental health issues. That being said, I'm no angel. I don't think I've been a great daughter either. I have been absent and cold when things were inconvenient for me, and I haven't made sacrifices for him.

I would love to mend the brokenness of our relationship, but how can I do that with someone who values their own comfort over our relationship (I guess the same could be said about me too, icing him out for my comfort)? I know he's lonely and hurting from our broken bond (my mom tells me about it), and I feel terrible, but I genuinely don't know what to do.

Madgran77 Tue 11-Aug-26 16:16:36

InRainbows

I wish my niece would talk more to me. Maybe she is afraid that I will judge her experiences or the emotions tied to her decision. I just want to be able to help. My sister I am supporting the best that I can too but there is so much anger and any situation she mentions are garbled with no wrong found on her part. It's dawning on me that perhaps I don't know either as well as I once thought and the help I offer may not be what is needed.

You are helping I think by providing a listening ear. The only possible other strategy is gentle open questions "What might have made her feel that?" or "What was your thinking behind saying/doing that?"

Any replies are responded to with "I see" or another open question like "When you did/said that what happened?"
At this stage I would suggest not giving opinions.

Re your niece just gentle questions like "How are you doing?" at least make you available if she wants you to be

💐

InRainbows Tue 11-Aug-26 17:53:14

Thank you, I will try that.

Madgran77 Thu 20-Aug-26 16:50:29

How are you doing InRainbows?