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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

How do you cope with being rejected by a family member?

114 replies

TalkSomeSense1 · 06/06/2022 14:38

Posting here for traffic. Sorry

Just that, really. What coping strategy do you have in place to enable you to deal with the pain it's caused/causing? It's something I'm going through at the moment and I need to take back the power and learn to live with it.

OP posts:
LifeInsideMyhead · 07/06/2022 08:25

Im not sure I agree with half of these.

Usually when someone has got to thenpoint of minimising or reducing contact there is a reason (as we can see on this thread and others.)

Often of the guilty party just acknowledged their hand in whatever it was it would make the world of differene. "Im sorry I didnt stand up for you enough as a child/ im sorry I didnt believe you as a child... i do now what can we do to move on?"

The fact the guilty party just leaves with a grump is part of the problem.

I dont think advising op just yo accept it is necessarily right. I e if it is a child who is hurt then there is way you can acknowledge and apologise and see if there is a way forwards.

I went lower contact with a family member after counselling and honestly if they were to just apologise or seem interested in me life would be different. The fact they've made no effort speaks volumes and I fear it would for you too.

Swayingpalmtrees · 07/06/2022 08:53

You need to have a hard look at what they have said/what has happened and be honest with yourself, do they have a point? Could you have done things differently? Could there be an apology or acknowledgement that is owed to the other party?

Are you actually asking how to do you live with yourself, knowing you have hurt another and lost them?

Or how do you move on?

They are very different. If you know you have hurt someone else, and it has ended badly there is always time to try and put it right. Taking action to repair and heal a situation in the best way you can should make you feel better, you will know in your heart you have done your best to fix it, now the onus is on them to come back when they are ready.

If an apology is not required because you have genuinely done nothing to warrant giving one, then your conscience should be entirely clear. There should not be a nagging feeling, but simply respecting the other person's decision to step back is all that can be done, whilst making it clear you are there for them at all times in the future. You don't know if there are other reasons for their strong feelings, and allowing them the time and space to work out how they feel is the best thing to do.

Nothing has to be so final, so dramatic. It can simply be space and time to think things through, or it may be permanent if the other person feels they can not move past what has happened.

You talk about splitting people into camps, and that you have many on your side. I have to say that rang lots of alarm bells, why on earth are you gathering a side against someone you supposedly love? Surely the best thing to do is keep everyone else out of the equation so you can focus on a possible solution?
It won't endear you to anyone by doing this, and can across as bullying.

I would stop making things worse, and start by being respectful. It is the foundation of any relationship, and you won't get anywhere without it.

BSky · 07/06/2022 09:32

I'm also dealing with an estrangement - the advice of @KarmaStar is helpful.
I think estrangement is like a grief and being kind and compassionate to yourself can help. It sounds trite but gratitude is a comfort - when the pain/anger/hurt/sadness of the estrangement hits I try to think of the things I'm grateful for. Especially the small things

I do also think recognising that estrangement/NC can be positive and empowering - as people who've had traumatic/abusive relationships. It's important to recognise how we deserve to be treated in life, to allow ourselves to heal from hurt and to surround ourselves with people/situations that are caring and nurturing.

TalkSomeSense1 · 07/06/2022 10:42

Swayingpalmtrees · 07/06/2022 08:53

You need to have a hard look at what they have said/what has happened and be honest with yourself, do they have a point? Could you have done things differently? Could there be an apology or acknowledgement that is owed to the other party?

Are you actually asking how to do you live with yourself, knowing you have hurt another and lost them?

Or how do you move on?

They are very different. If you know you have hurt someone else, and it has ended badly there is always time to try and put it right. Taking action to repair and heal a situation in the best way you can should make you feel better, you will know in your heart you have done your best to fix it, now the onus is on them to come back when they are ready.

If an apology is not required because you have genuinely done nothing to warrant giving one, then your conscience should be entirely clear. There should not be a nagging feeling, but simply respecting the other person's decision to step back is all that can be done, whilst making it clear you are there for them at all times in the future. You don't know if there are other reasons for their strong feelings, and allowing them the time and space to work out how they feel is the best thing to do.

Nothing has to be so final, so dramatic. It can simply be space and time to think things through, or it may be permanent if the other person feels they can not move past what has happened.

You talk about splitting people into camps, and that you have many on your side. I have to say that rang lots of alarm bells, why on earth are you gathering a side against someone you supposedly love? Surely the best thing to do is keep everyone else out of the equation so you can focus on a possible solution?
It won't endear you to anyone by doing this, and can across as bullying.

I would stop making things worse, and start by being respectful. It is the foundation of any relationship, and you won't get anywhere without it.

Thank you for taking the time to write all of this. It's hard to get context from what is a very limited idea of what has gone on and I'm sorry for that. I don't think rehashing all of the whys and wherefores is good for me but what I will say is that I have always, ALWAYS been open to reconcilliation and the chance to move forwards but this has been met with nothing less than awful, awful responses. I have looked and looked at things that have happened, trust me when I say it has occupied many conversations and space in my head. I can hand on heart say that there is nothing that I have said that can be taken as anything less than considered and polite and an obvious attempt to try to see a positive way out of this for everyone. I know this makes me sound saintly and having put no foot wrong! :-(

I don't think I mentioned splitting people into camps? If I did then it wasn't meant to be taken the way you have inferred. I have friends and people who sit completely removed from the situation and have nothing to do with anyone else involved other than me. That's not me being divisive in any way, it's just friendships I have - and people who are supportive but would pull me up on mistakes I might have made. I am able to realise there are two sides which is why I will always be open to a conversation and jump to help in a heartbeat.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to write such considered responses to my ask for advice. I have read all of them and will spend some time thinking about all that has happened.

OP posts:
Whitesapphire · 07/06/2022 11:01

Have you ever sincerely apologised and taken responsibility for your actions though? Or have you repeatedly tried to make the other person as culpable as you, even though they are not.

Sparklybutold · 07/06/2022 11:20

@Whitesapphire

Beyond knowing why the OP has decided to go NC, this assertion peretuates the myth that in going NC occurs because the person instigting the NC is at guilt. Sometimes - families are so toxic that no honest remediation will ever occur. As we don't know the reasons - suggesting this can be extremely damaging to the estranged family member.

Sparklybutold · 07/06/2022 11:20

This reply has been withdrawn

Message withdrawn - duplicate post.

Livpool · 07/06/2022 11:22

Sorry you are going through this @TalkSomeSense1

My brother did this years ago and my mother was devastated. She had some therapy.

A few years he reappeared and wonders why most of the family are LC with him. We all made our peace with him gong NC

Sparklybutold · 07/06/2022 11:23

@TalkSomeSense1

I think your attempt illustrates that unless the family member makes a conscious effort to change/be remorseful, any attempt by you will always be futile. I completely empathise with how hard this is to then make the decision to let go.

BSky · 07/06/2022 11:32

My views may not be relevant to others scenarios particularly people where abuse is involved or there is a clear breach of acceptable behaviour. Hope that makes sense.

Some of these are complex situations where blame/who is culpable maintain the injustice and negative feelings. There has to be empathy and respect for others' viewpoints for an apology to bd given or accepted. There are different ways of seeing situations which the OP has acknowledged but to move on/reconcile there needs to be an acceptance and willingness from both/all involved. It is not necessarily about agreeing the same version of events but being able to have an understanding that others feelings are valid.

TalkSomeSense1 · 07/06/2022 11:50

BSky · 07/06/2022 11:32

My views may not be relevant to others scenarios particularly people where abuse is involved or there is a clear breach of acceptable behaviour. Hope that makes sense.

Some of these are complex situations where blame/who is culpable maintain the injustice and negative feelings. There has to be empathy and respect for others' viewpoints for an apology to bd given or accepted. There are different ways of seeing situations which the OP has acknowledged but to move on/reconcile there needs to be an acceptance and willingness from both/all involved. It is not necessarily about agreeing the same version of events but being able to have an understanding that others feelings are valid.

You have summed up my thoughts in a nutshell. Thank you! I've not been able to properly articulate this - there does have to be an acceptance/willingness from both sides to want to have a proper talk but the attempt to do this has been met with increasing hostility.

It is complex and won't be unpicked in a hurry. But the suggestion of finding someone professional to talk to to get, hopefully, some clarity and ability to let the situation go for however long I need to (perhaps forever!) is something I am looking at. I have a couple of recommendations of good therapists so will follow those up today.

Thank you again to everyone for their considered responses.

OP posts:
TalkSomeSense1 · 07/06/2022 11:53

Livpool · 07/06/2022 11:22

Sorry you are going through this @TalkSomeSense1

My brother did this years ago and my mother was devastated. She had some therapy.

A few years he reappeared and wonders why most of the family are LC with him. We all made our peace with him gong NC

But if that person does reappear do you need them to be remorseful/take SOME accountability or do you slowly slot back into life and leave the elephant in the room? Hypothetical question I know as you have already have it happen! Are you afraid of raising the 'problem' in case you lose that person again? It's such a minefield.

OP posts:
TalkSomeSense1 · 07/06/2022 11:57

Whitesapphire · 07/06/2022 11:01

Have you ever sincerely apologised and taken responsibility for your actions though? Or have you repeatedly tried to make the other person as culpable as you, even though they are not.

How do you know I'm culpable though? Just because I'm the one on the outs doesn't necessarily mean I'm entirely in the wrong, does it?

And if you haven't already read my responses to previous posters then you ought to as I have said several times I'm fully aware there are two sides to everything.

OP posts:
Whitesapphire · 07/06/2022 12:26

I’ve read all your responses but I’m just asking have you ever sincerely apologised for YOUR actions? Never mind there being two sides to everything.

MarieIVanArkleStinks · 07/06/2022 12:35

PurpleButterflyWings · 06/06/2022 20:22

You have still not been clear about why this family member has rejected you @TalkSomeSense1

But the way you are going on and barking and sniping at posters on here, many of whom are just trying to help, it's becoming easy to see why some people may want to avoid you.

Oh, come off it. They're not trying to help. They're the ones who are sniping, demanding information they have no need for and then when it's not forthcoming, hurling pleasantries at the OP such as it's all her fault and she'll probably end up a lonely old woman in a nursing home.

Nice. Real nice.

OP - you're right to hold your boundaries, no one needs to know your personal circumstances and judging by the tone of some responses here you're right not to justify them here. It's drama voyeurism, and some of these PPs are probably only looking for a stick to beat you with, anyway.

My take on this is that hope is often touted as a positive thing, whereas in some instances there are few forces - even hate - that are more destructive. If you hold onto hope in some situations, you end up living your life in a painful, non-ending purgatory.

The most painful step you have to face is letting go of that hope. If things have reached the nuclear option of NC then there's a strong possibility that this is not salvageable. If the relatives who have estranged themselves for their own self-preservation they are doing what they believe is in their best interests and probably at some cost to them. If they're doing it to punish you, they're likely to be punishing themselves also. This is a very unhealthy dynamic, and one best left to run its course, whether or not that situation ends up permanent.

I've heard it said that estrangement is cruel and in itself a form of abuse. That depends. In circumstances of self-preservation and protection, this isn't so, and claiming that it is might amount to a form of DARVO, a known tactic of abuse. In the case of punishment, it's quite likely to be.

You can do nothing. Don't pursue it: they will double down and it will push them further away. Respect their wish. Let them know your door is open. Then, painful though it is, you have to try to rebuild your life without them. Don't let bitterness take hold. Try to focus on things and people you love: hobbies, the outdoors, anything calming and healing.

I don't know what relation to you these people are, but Susan Forward's books Toxic In-Laws and Toxic Parents are a valuable read, whatever side of the relationship you happen to be on. Don't let the titles mislead you. The books don't deal with incendiary tactics, but offer calmer, peaceful solutions and an increased understanding.

There may be blame on both sides. There may be a primary aggressor or victim. But in some cases, certain personalities might have nothing wrong with them per se, but in some combinations can become toxic to each other. There's a never-the-twain-shall-meet situation between me and some extended sections of the family - I'm not a bad person and neither are they - we just simply don't understand one another and to an extent that's probably insurmountable. That, sadly, is life.

Flowers for you.

AskingforaBaskin · 07/06/2022 12:41

TalkSomeSense1 · 07/06/2022 11:57

How do you know I'm culpable though? Just because I'm the one on the outs doesn't necessarily mean I'm entirely in the wrong, does it?

And if you haven't already read my responses to previous posters then you ought to as I have said several times I'm fully aware there are two sides to everything.

But you are the one who wants something? If you want a relationship with them then you have to work out what you're willing to give

If they have walked away presumably they are happy with no relationship.

Rinoachicken · 07/06/2022 12:44

I think the familial relationship will also make a big difference in how you process this. Being cut off my a parent is different to being cut off by a sibling, or cousin for example. So it would be worth exploring how that is impacting you, with a professional. I would imagine it is a little like grief, except the person has not died and may breeze back in at any moment, and how then do you deal with that?

BSky · 07/06/2022 13:58

@TalkSomeSense1
Glad I could help articulate it. Finding someone to talk it through independently with might really help. The past can't be changed or the future predicted but with some time and distance between the fallout the situation/feelings might change but no guarantee of reconciliation. For now it's maybe a case of finding a way to accept what has happened and to come to terms with things not being how you'd like them to be or what they ideal might have been. You're right away it's a way of letting go.

I also believe it's important to respect boundaries - your own as well as others. Take care and I hope you can find what helps you manage what seems like a difficult and painful situation.

TalkSomeSense1 · 07/06/2022 14:05

MarieIVanArkleStinks · 07/06/2022 12:35

Oh, come off it. They're not trying to help. They're the ones who are sniping, demanding information they have no need for and then when it's not forthcoming, hurling pleasantries at the OP such as it's all her fault and she'll probably end up a lonely old woman in a nursing home.

Nice. Real nice.

OP - you're right to hold your boundaries, no one needs to know your personal circumstances and judging by the tone of some responses here you're right not to justify them here. It's drama voyeurism, and some of these PPs are probably only looking for a stick to beat you with, anyway.

My take on this is that hope is often touted as a positive thing, whereas in some instances there are few forces - even hate - that are more destructive. If you hold onto hope in some situations, you end up living your life in a painful, non-ending purgatory.

The most painful step you have to face is letting go of that hope. If things have reached the nuclear option of NC then there's a strong possibility that this is not salvageable. If the relatives who have estranged themselves for their own self-preservation they are doing what they believe is in their best interests and probably at some cost to them. If they're doing it to punish you, they're likely to be punishing themselves also. This is a very unhealthy dynamic, and one best left to run its course, whether or not that situation ends up permanent.

I've heard it said that estrangement is cruel and in itself a form of abuse. That depends. In circumstances of self-preservation and protection, this isn't so, and claiming that it is might amount to a form of DARVO, a known tactic of abuse. In the case of punishment, it's quite likely to be.

You can do nothing. Don't pursue it: they will double down and it will push them further away. Respect their wish. Let them know your door is open. Then, painful though it is, you have to try to rebuild your life without them. Don't let bitterness take hold. Try to focus on things and people you love: hobbies, the outdoors, anything calming and healing.

I don't know what relation to you these people are, but Susan Forward's books Toxic In-Laws and Toxic Parents are a valuable read, whatever side of the relationship you happen to be on. Don't let the titles mislead you. The books don't deal with incendiary tactics, but offer calmer, peaceful solutions and an increased understanding.

There may be blame on both sides. There may be a primary aggressor or victim. But in some cases, certain personalities might have nothing wrong with them per se, but in some combinations can become toxic to each other. There's a never-the-twain-shall-meet situation between me and some extended sections of the family - I'm not a bad person and neither are they - we just simply don't understand one another and to an extent that's probably insurmountable. That, sadly, is life.

Flowers for you.

Your support and the time you have taken to write all of this has made me cry! Thank you - and I'm sorry to hear you are going through your own drama.

I'll look at those books. Thank you for the recommendation. I've spent the morning cleaning the house and trying to not let this all occupy my thoughts too much. It's not easy - but the bathroom has never looked so sparkling! Every cloud....... :-)

OP posts:
LifeInsideMyhead · 07/06/2022 14:17

So you acknowledge there is some wrong doing on your part and your family member has decided to go no/low contact. What did they say when they did this? Have you acknowledged their hurt/ apologised for your side?
If not why not? what is it you're wanting?

I think some posters are muddled thinking the OP has decided to go no contact whereas I think (I might be wrong) it is a member of the family. Sometimes a child who has been through a difficult childhood and this is not acknowledged will find it mentally the best thing for them to stop wishing it would be and to move on. However it is such a sad thing when parents can't see anything wrong. It's an often repeated pattern but may well be nothing to do with OP !!!

Nevermind21 · 07/06/2022 15:31

My heart goes out to you as I'm in a similar position. I've tried everything to mend things, apologising, writing letters etc to no avail. It's heartbreaking and I wish I had some advice for you x

finalpunt · 07/06/2022 15:54

@TalkSomeSense1 I also agree that therapy with someone who specialises in family estrangement may work best for you. Clearly I don't know the details of your situation but I may be able to provide perspective from someone who is dealing with the fall out from the other side of being NC.

My DSD is NC with her mum and DSS is very LC with her. Both for very different reasons. DSD has very strong reasons to go NC but none of them are the reason her DM thinks, she has tried to explain to her but DM has never really apologised and throws back things from DSD's childhood - such as well I used to take you to appointments etc. To everyone else she says she has tried to make it up to her DSD but I don't think she gets the magnitude of what she did that caused the NC, she has never accepted her part and they have never really talked about it. She sends DSD occasional messages which DSD ignores.

I can honestly say that this is not something that DSD has done easily, I have seen the heartache and questioning of everything that she believed about her life, she is in therapy and it may or may not help her reconnect with her DM in the future but hopefully it will help her at least make peace with everything.

DSS is LC because he feels it is easier, Doesn't really benefit from the LC but he just finds it easier, it may be that he increases slightly over time but doesn't really feel that much effort is made towards him and follows that path.

I think if you have therapy to deal with your feelings about the situation then you can be clearer in your own head rather than just everyone else's opinion on what you wanted from the relationship and allow yourself to grieve the loss of what you thought that it would be.

I also think that once you can truly come to terms with a situation you can start to focus on you and the good things, the things that bring you joy and that you have some control over rather than focusing on a situation that you feel you have no control over and the constant whatifs

TalkSomeSense1 · 07/06/2022 15:55

Nevermind21 · 07/06/2022 15:31

My heart goes out to you as I'm in a similar position. I've tried everything to mend things, apologising, writing letters etc to no avail. It's heartbreaking and I wish I had some advice for you x

I'm sorry to hear this. It's the worst kind of pain, isn't it? Rejection by people you thought would always be there xxx

OP posts:
GreekGod · 07/06/2022 16:15

A coping strategy my cousin found effective is that "this is happening for a reason". We don't know the reason yet but there is a reason for everything happening around us. For her, it forced her to do things she never thought she would ever do because certain family members kept telling her to "be careful" and "don't be stupid and do that" or "you're just not able to do that". After a year of learning to ride a motorbike, she joined a group and they toured around Europe and she met the love of her life and moved to Australia. At the time, she was in a terrible place and I was the only family member talking to her; everyone else cut her off due to something that happened but I never did. She still has NC with anyone but me. Her mother and siblings tried to contact her after she had her first baby but she wasn't; interested and sent them a very polite email saying "thanks but no thanks". They all keep asking me to update them about her life etc but she doesn't want me to so I don't. I have to say, she is much happier now.

LifeInsideMyhead · 07/06/2022 16:56

@finalpunt that's abit like me and my dad. My dad would come across a bit like OP - but in general to most people just comes across either as if he hasn't got a daughter or that Im a bit nuts/ didn't make anything of myself. Never acknowledged or was aware of how awful it all was for us as kids. Similarly my mother is an alcoholic and this affected everything - Christmas/birthdays/ life in general. Yet she doesn't really remember those times and doesn't think of herself as the sort of person to be nasty so when sober conveniently forgets that she was bloody abusive when we were kids (because she was ill herself etc etc ) but its all about her.

Obviously OP hasn't outlined her position so it could be either side. But as someone who has gone LC with parents its so strange how they would present themselves as the wounded one.