Recently, someone who is estranged from two of her adult children shared with me several encounters with friends who not only do not understand what she is going through, but one stands in judgment and the others dismiss her pain as inconsequential. These types of incidents with friends or family can add to the crushing pain of the estrangement. She is wondering if distancing from these friends is the right thing to do.
We all work very hard to hide our failures from the prying eyes of others. When we do dare to share, and we get blank stares, or dismissal, or judgment, we have to remember none of those reactions is about us. It is about the other person’s discomfort. This topic sends parents into a state of anxiety. They fear that something similar could happen to them.
If a friend is cruel, judgmental or totally unsympathetic, you may want to rethink the value of that friendship. But if they are just having a hard time finding the right response, and are otherwise kind and loving, you may want to give them a pass. They may just not have the right words.There are more and more resources for estranged parents. These are things I wish I had had access to at the beginning of my estrangement. It would have made such a difference to me.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.