Coping With an Estranged Child

2 min read

Written by Editorial Team

Editorial Team

With a rich experience in pregnancy and parenting, our team of experts create insightful, well-curated, and easy-to-read content for our to-be-parents and parents at all stages of parenting..

Coping With an Estranged Child

Being a parent is a tumultuous, often unpredictable journey. You and your children can give each other the most, but mistakes can be made. If you have found your way to this article, know that you are not alone. You probably raised your child with all the love in the world, and it is hard to cope with them leaving you, but patience has to be your strong point. Keep a few things in mind when you’re dealing with a child who has cut off contact.

1. It’s Not Your Fault

Every one of us has a unique mindset and challenges to deal with, and the same goes for your child. Many factors would have contributed to their decision, do not be hard on yourself. You may have made mistakes, but so did your child. You are allowed to forgive yourself.

2. Do Not Let Anyone Fuel the Anger

Many well-meaning individuals may speak ill of the person who left, but nurturing anger and resentment is never the way forward. With age comes wisdom, and it is entirely possible that your child left without considering things. They may reach back, and if you are angry, you may extinguish any hopes of reconcilement, only to regret it later on. Don’t make it harder on yourself than it needs to be.

3. Avoid Contacting Them Repeatedly

Your child left because they needed space, so give them the space. Contacting repeatedly may merely exacerbate the tension between your family, leading to more fights. Take a deep breath and accept that they’ll do what they feel like doing. Your repeated calls won’t help them.

4. Invest in Other Relationships

Marriages can break when problems surface due to children. Spend time with your spouse, do not let the distance grow between you. At such a time, others you call your own will be around you too, be it friends or family. You may not feel like expressing yourself all the time, but peaceful company helps. Know that even though they may not understand your pain, they’re willing to support you. With time, you’ll grow to accept things for the way they are, and you’ll be glad that you kept ties with everyone else strong.

5. Get Help

If you feel like it’s getting too much, seek out help, especially if you feel like you’re spiraling into depression or anxiety. Instances that make a strong impact on your life can send you into a space full of negative energy. Seek out the help of a therapist; they can help guide you on the path to emotional recovery.

Endnote

No matter what happens, you have to take your own life into your own hands instead of letting uncontrollable circumstances dictate it. If you feel like sending your child a note, you can use the internet to find their forwarding address if they’ve changed it. In the end, your life is your own, so take the reins and grow beyond the sorrows.

Editorial Team,

With a rich experience in pregnancy and parenting, our team of experts create insightful, well-curated, and easy-to-read content for our to-be-parents and parents at all stages of parenting.Read more.

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