“My scars remind me that I did indeed survive my deepest wounds. That in itself is an accomplishment. And they bring to mind something else, too. They remind me that the damage life has inflicted on me has, in many places, left me stronger and more resilient. What hurt me in the past has actually made me better equipped to face the present.”
Estrangement in a family means that family members have stopped communicating with each other completely, or that the communication is occasional. Most estranged parents feel “it’s just me/us,” but that’s not true. It’s becoming an epidemic. While there are a variety of reasons to separate from family, the ‘why’ is often unknown, making it even more confusing.
Parents with estranged adult children often suffer and grieve in secret because there is strong judgment - by themselves and by society. They suffer mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically, typically with few resources that understand what they are going through. Well-meaning people will say things that make you feel worse. They may push you towards reconciliation, even if that is not possible.
I know the complexity and pain of estrangement. I am dedicated to helping other estranged parents on this unique, hard journey.