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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Daughter gone no contact.

47 replies

Dontknowhowtodo · 17/04/2024 06:38

Our daughter’s partner convinced her to moved out. It’s a year since she has talked to us.
Im finding it increasingly difficult to cope. I’m trying to focus on my own stuff but I’m finding more and more I just can’t seem to get anything done.
DH is also struggling and although we are trying not to let it affect our marriage, it is.
friends say,‘she’d have moved out anyway’ then post pictures of their child’s birthdays. No one gets it. It’s like she’s died but we can’t grieve, we just keep hoping.
what can I do?

OP posts:
BMW6 · 17/04/2024 12:23

OP who advised you that the Police could be called if you went to her place of work?

I've getting the impression that there's a background to this that you won't share as it would not look good for you? Sorry if I'm wrong but ...........

Josette77 · 17/04/2024 12:24

Can you at least give a hint of how old your DD is? 18 or 28?

Is her partner male? I only ask since you haven't mentioned sex. Does she think you're homophobic?

I know I'm grasping but you haven't given us much to go on.

Chemistrychic · 17/04/2024 12:30

Can you invite her to join you in something her partner can't come along to to have time to check in with her- spa day etc? She can always say no but you will give her an out.

mindutopia · 17/04/2024 12:41

What about writing her a letter and being honest about any mistakes you've made in the past and being accountable for them and offering a suggestion of a way forward - like meeting up together with a neutral third party (of her choosing, not the partner) or doing some family therapy sessions together?

I am a daughter who is NC with my mum, and the above is what I needed. In my case, it's my mum in an unhealthy relationship with a man who has not been willing to be accountable for the things she's done wrong (she facilitated contact by a convicted paedophile with my children). Every attempt to address my concerns with her has been met with excuses...'I know I was wrong to lie to you about that, but if I hadn't, I knew you would have cut me off sooner...' Everything is about her instead of about healing our relationship. I asked to do family therapy together, with a therapist she could choose, but she wouldn't, or would say she'd arranged it, but didn't and would back out at the last moment (while telling people it was me who wouldn't go!). What I needed was a willingness from her to admit what she did wrong and to move forward with getting support for both of us to heal our relationship. It was the evasion, sticking head in the sand, lying that made that impossible.

What I would say though is to let her know you are there and ready to work on things whenever she is and that you will be there for her anytime she needs you. But do not keep contacting her over and over again. One thing that really infuriates me is that my mum has not respected my wishes to be no contact (after my failed attempts above). She continues to contact me every birthday/mother's day/Christmas and it causes significant distress and anxiety - to the point that it's hard to enjoy Christmas with my children because I know I'll get a message from her telling me what a terrible person I am. Say what you need to say and leave the door open, but do respect her wishes for contact or not.

She is an adult and ultimately, she can make her own decisions, even if they aren't what you like. I wish that my mum hadn't gotten into a toxic relationship with a dangerous man and I wish that she would see the light and leave him and be the mum I want her to be. But she's a grown up. She can make her own decisions, even if I think they're bonkers. I can't control that and I can't force or manipulate her to be a better parent/grandparent. What I can control though is if I have her in my life and my children's lives (I won't) and how I move forward with my own life and live it the best way I can. Focussing on me and acceptance and healing myself has been life changing and helped me get 'unstuck' from the grief of our lost relationship.

socks1107 · 17/04/2024 12:43

We are no contact with my sd. Her choice. I believe the police can be called should be turn up where she is to attempt contact.

Yirk · 17/04/2024 15:24

Sometimes you just have to take risks in life and hope the consequences are good ones.
If you want your daughter in your life maybe you need to be proactive?

Dontknowhowtodo · 21/04/2024 10:48

Thank you everyone. Thanks for the long post mindutopia, and for sharing what you needed.

OP posts:
Dontknowhowtodo · 21/04/2024 10:49

Sorry will write a better reply soon. Just a bit sad atm.

OP posts:
Rainydayinlondon · 21/04/2024 10:58

mindutopia · 17/04/2024 12:41

What about writing her a letter and being honest about any mistakes you've made in the past and being accountable for them and offering a suggestion of a way forward - like meeting up together with a neutral third party (of her choosing, not the partner) or doing some family therapy sessions together?

I am a daughter who is NC with my mum, and the above is what I needed. In my case, it's my mum in an unhealthy relationship with a man who has not been willing to be accountable for the things she's done wrong (she facilitated contact by a convicted paedophile with my children). Every attempt to address my concerns with her has been met with excuses...'I know I was wrong to lie to you about that, but if I hadn't, I knew you would have cut me off sooner...' Everything is about her instead of about healing our relationship. I asked to do family therapy together, with a therapist she could choose, but she wouldn't, or would say she'd arranged it, but didn't and would back out at the last moment (while telling people it was me who wouldn't go!). What I needed was a willingness from her to admit what she did wrong and to move forward with getting support for both of us to heal our relationship. It was the evasion, sticking head in the sand, lying that made that impossible.

What I would say though is to let her know you are there and ready to work on things whenever she is and that you will be there for her anytime she needs you. But do not keep contacting her over and over again. One thing that really infuriates me is that my mum has not respected my wishes to be no contact (after my failed attempts above). She continues to contact me every birthday/mother's day/Christmas and it causes significant distress and anxiety - to the point that it's hard to enjoy Christmas with my children because I know I'll get a message from her telling me what a terrible person I am. Say what you need to say and leave the door open, but do respect her wishes for contact or not.

She is an adult and ultimately, she can make her own decisions, even if they aren't what you like. I wish that my mum hadn't gotten into a toxic relationship with a dangerous man and I wish that she would see the light and leave him and be the mum I want her to be. But she's a grown up. She can make her own decisions, even if I think they're bonkers. I can't control that and I can't force or manipulate her to be a better parent/grandparent. What I can control though is if I have her in my life and my children's lives (I won't) and how I move forward with my own life and live it the best way I can. Focussing on me and acceptance and healing myself has been life changing and helped me get 'unstuck' from the grief of our lost relationship.

I think it would be very hard for a mother to accept no contact. Your mother just wants you back and by sending you cards is showing she loves you.
your mother’s mistakes were bad, but unless she’s still with the paedophile I find this so very sad

category12 · 21/04/2024 11:01

Rainydayinlondon · 21/04/2024 10:58

I think it would be very hard for a mother to accept no contact. Your mother just wants you back and by sending you cards is showing she loves you.
your mother’s mistakes were bad, but unless she’s still with the paedophile I find this so very sad

Seriously, you think it's sad that this poster has cut contact with a woman who put a paedophile's interests ahead of her grandchildren's safety? Fuck no.

ivs · 21/04/2024 11:04

mindthespace · 17/04/2024 07:06

You can quite clearly read the OP distress in her message. What kind of person can't show some empathy at the start.

Yes, op is distressed, but we all know that sometimes versions are not always as the facts.

No offense to the op, but the daughter may see things very differently. (Either side may be right)

Springtime2024 · 21/04/2024 11:16

I’d speak to her old friends to see what they think of the situation, not in a flying monkey way. Then I’d let her know you are always there for her and will listen to her side without judgment or trying to defend yourself and that you will go to therapy with her if she wants that.

edited to say ‘not’

saraclara · 21/04/2024 11:21

ivs · 21/04/2024 11:04

Yes, op is distressed, but we all know that sometimes versions are not always as the facts.

No offense to the op, but the daughter may see things very differently. (Either side may be right)

The daughter has cut off all her friends as well, so I don't think there's a need to assume OP to blame for this situation.

MermaidEyes · 21/04/2024 11:23

Dontknowhowtodo · 17/04/2024 08:57

Hi yirk Yes, I have considered it many times. I’ve even walked past there.
We’ve been advised not to - apparently they can call the police and we will be in trouble. If she is in a

I'm also confused by this. There's obviously a lot more to this story. It's very sad for you but without knowing the full picture it's hard to know whether your daughter is actually justified in going no contact.

LBFseBrom · 21/04/2024 11:31

No advice from me, Dontknowhowtodo, I don't think I can add anything useful but sending you love and sympathy. I can feel your pain and hope you can renew your relationship with your daughter in time. Bless you.

Meadowfinch · 21/04/2024 11:31

Op, if your dd is 16, I could understand the worry and distress. If she's 28 and has moved in with her partner, that's normal.

Regardless, all you can do is ensure she knows you love her, that she will always be welcome in your home, and set up minimum contact levels. Birthday & Christmas cards, a family face book page etc. Wait for her come to you.

Movinghouseatlast · 21/04/2024 13:08

Dontknowhowtodo · 17/04/2024 07:24

Thank you. I’m concerned that whatever I write will be analysed and found wanting. A good long while ago she texted that she knows we love her.
but yes, this sounds sensible. I really do love her, whatever she does. I thought we had a good relationship. I took her out and the partner came too and I thought they were nice. My daughter was so pleased at that. And then this. I never thought I’d be rejected like this. I’ve left her alone for a year now.

I’m so sorry your daughter went through this, how brave of her to get divorced and come back to you.

*Motnight · Today 07:10
Loubelle70 · Today 07:04

‘My daughter did this, usually when she couldn't get her own way or when i adhered to my boundaries. She was spoiled to my own detriment. However, her ex husband was the catalyst...once they divorced she was back. I wrote her a heartfelt letter and left her with it. Thats all you can do.’

I think that this is great advice.

Keep the door open for your DD to return, Op, let her know that you love her and leave her alone for now.*

Something that can help is writing down ( just for you, not public consumption) what her version of events is. Ask yourself, what would she write if she was starting a thread on Mumsnet? It's a really useful.exercise

An ex of mine went no contact with his parents. It was his wife at the time who really pushed for it. He told me that at the time what his wife said made sense to him so he went along with what she wanted.

Dontknowhowtodo · 22/04/2024 20:55

Thank you.
so she popped up on DHs Facebook. It’s over a year since we’ve seen her so that was pretty hard.
DH getting himself super stressed and anxious. Which, being selfish, I find exhausting. The only person who may have contact is being pretty unhelpful. I understand from what you guys and other people say, that I just have to let her come to me. DH is on at me all the time to contact this person. DH doesn’t seem to understand I can’t make this person contact us/tell us what’s going on. It’s pretty hard. DH has just told me he can’t cope with this and work and has gone to bed. He looks awful, and I can’t cope with him. I just don’t know how.
Id love to tell all, but don’t want to tell all in case anyone who knows us reads this. Obviously I’ve cocked up, but I’d like to own it and apologise and start again. I know a bit of where I’ve cocked up, but nothing as far as I know that deserves this. I think, from what I’ve picked up here and there, she is with a partner that is maybe being controlling and telling us that we are awful.
its like slow burn torture. I hate this.

OP posts:
Dontknowhowtodo · 22/04/2024 20:57

Re the police, no there’s no history there. A nice policeman said if we go round there, they could call the police and make stuff up, then we’d spend a night in the cells. He was very apologetic. It feels like there is nowhere to turn.

OP posts:
BMW6 · 24/04/2024 14:48

Sorry but I think you'll just have to hope that one day she'll get in touch.

Don't try and contact her via a third party - also known as A Flying Monkey. That would only make it worse.

She knows you love her. She knows how to contact you. The other person is being unhelpful because they've been asked to by your dd. You MUST respect that.

As hard as it is you must leave her to make contact if she chooses to.

category12 · 24/04/2024 16:29

I guess all you can do is say to this person that if your dd asks about you, to please pass on that you would like to own what you did and apologise and start again.

Dontknowhowtodo · 24/04/2024 21:26

Thanks everyone, and thanks BMW6, I didn’t realize I was using other person as a flying monkey . And yes im being dim, now you mention it, they obviously had some sort of contact.
thanks category 12 I think that’s sound advice.

OP posts:
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