Have you been estranged from a family member?

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   pstraubie48posted 11 years ago

   Have you been estranged from a family member?
   
   Without revealing the personal nature of it, perhaps suggest ways to reunite with a family member with whom you may not have seen or spoken to because of an argument or disagreement. This happened to me and it took many years for it to be resolved.Sometimes some of those inovolved are ready to forgive and move on, and sometimes the others are not. It can often be dificult to mend the broken relationship. Happened to you??
   
   

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2. 73

   Laura in Denverposted 11 years ago

   Yes. The bitter divorice I went through caused me many problems seeing my kids and much anger on my part.
   
   I had a 5 month estrangement from my youngest daughter when I said something particularly insulting about her father in a moment of stupidity.
   
   Finally, though, things are getting back to normal.

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      kathyjones1952@atposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I'm happy to hear things are better between you and your daughter now !

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3. 82

   Eileen Goodallposted 11 years ago

   For over 3 years now my entire family (2 brothers/2 sisters) and partners and all their children (16 in total) have been estranged from me because of one of my sister's husband who stalked me and committed obscene behaviour against me, when he wouldn't stop I eventually went to the Police - since then I have been abandoned and nasty rumours have been circulated about me.  I don't see any way back from that.

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      Laura in Denverposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Did you obtain a restraining order from a judge for stalking?
      
      That can be helpful, but sometimes impossible if there are no witnesses.

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      Eileen Goodallposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      the Police took him to court and we had so much evidence that he was found guilty, but all he was given was an £800 fine.

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4. 83

   wychicposted 11 years ago

   Certain family members of mine decided to stand against me for custody of my son, apparently because I don't play their game and my ex-husband does. Personally, while I no longer harbor any anger over it, to me it sends a clear message that they no longer have anything to say to me and I can't see any benefit of re-uniting with them. It has been almost four years, and I am very happy with where my life is now without the presence of people who will use or back-stab, and most of the time I don't feel like anything is missing anymore.
   
   So I'll bring in another example. My husband has been estranged from his brother after said brother married their first cousin, and then cheated on her with my husband's first wife. It is now over 25 years after the fact, and a mere matter of months since he finally allowed another family member to give his brother our phone number. There have been no teary resolutions, just, "You're still my baby brother, I'm ready to talk before our lives are over." It will, no doubt, be a long process, and it's very possible that they will never be on easy terms again, but the lines of communication are slowly opening. His brother put the word out that he'd like to talk to him, and my husband basically just let him know that such a talk would be allowed.
   
   I'd say that every case of estrangement will be very different, depending on who was wronged and in what way, or what the conditions of the estrangement were. Individual personalities will also dictate just what shape reunion takes, and how long it takes. In many cases it may never happen, and in some cases it never should happen, but each and every one will be different.

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5. 72

   cloudy_coolposted 11 years ago

   Happening in continuation as I type...for the past several years its been in a state of shock - connect the reject with a bang...then connect and it goes on and on...
   
   They say, time heals...so still waiting...afterall its my mother we're talking about...we haven't spoken with each other since nearly two years now...
   
   Time is ticking...I wonder if there would be any healing at this rate...

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      Laura in Denverposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      It sounds like you desire healing, yet want the other party (your Mom) to make the first move.

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   Xenonlitposted 11 years ago

   Yes. We will remain estranged because of uncalled for and longstanding abuse and harm. We are not the ones to judge why or how people estrange, even if it is a common desire to have families stick together.

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7. 62

   Diane Woodsonposted 11 years ago

   The bi-polar disorder that I have experience for over 30 years has caused me to be estranged from everyone except my MOM and I am thankful for having her in my life. All of the things that occurred in my life I know are hard for those away from me to understand. It is difficult, sometimes depressing and a terrible thing to experience however I cope pretty well. I am thankful for a wonderful life and have lots of people who do love me no matter if I am bi-polar or not.

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