How to Deal with Estrangement
Important Note: If
you were abandoned by a parent, this article does not apply to you. Abandonment of a child by a parent is always the
result of the parent's failings, never those of the child.
Estrangement from important others is a sad fact of life for many
people. One of the most painful experiences a parent can have is to be rejected by an adult child who appears to want nothing
to do with them. Estrangement between siblings, in-laws, neighbors, even coworkers, is also common.
The reasons for estrangement are as diverse as the parties involved.
Sometimes there was a very close relationship in the past, and something happened that created distance. This may have happened
either slowly over time or rather suddenly, but once that distance was created, it solidified into estrangement. Or, the relationship
was never as close as it could have been, and the gap just kept getting wider, until there was no relationship at all.
If you are estranged from a grown child, a sibling or someone in your social circle, and the estrangement is their
choice rather than yours, you are probably feeling rejected. Rejection is a powerful emotion that can lead to all sorts of
defensive behavior, which in turn can further alienate the rejecting person. If someone has chosen to have little or
no contact with you, it's important to acknowledge any softer feelings you may have about that. Often when we're
hurt we resort to anger, resentment or vengefulness. But these are indicators of unacknowledged sadness, loss and
grief.
There are
steps you can take to try to mend fences. It's worth trying to do so, because the other person may be suffering just as you
are. If it turns out that you both value the idea of having a relationship again (and that is definitely an if),
you will be avoiding an unnecessary loss for both of you by doing what you can to make amends.
No matter what the
history, cause or present state of your estrangement from the other person, one thing is certain: Trying to convince
them verbally that they're wrong to reject you is a losing strategy. If you've tried anything at all, you've probably tried
that. You may have explained your position in full detail, and been annoyed, confused or stymied to find the person unmoved
by your compelling argument.
You must understand that the other person has a reason for wanting to reduce contact
with you. It hurts to think about being rejected at all, and to accept that there's a reason you were rejected is one of the
hardest things any of us can do. However, it's also necessary if you want to have a relationship with the person again.
And, by the way: What do you want? Is it a relationship with this person that you truly desire, or do you
simply need them to know that they're wrong to reject you?
If it is really a relationship that you want with
this person who doesn't seem to want one with you anymore, your options are limited, but you do have them. There is much you
can do to give the relationship a really good shot, but ultimately, you must realize that there's only so much that's within
your control. Don't give up prematurely, though! Here's what you need to know.
When someone
won't talk to you...
1. You
are wrong and they are right. No qualifiers, no conditions, no compromises. How they feel is the absolute truth of
the matter. This must be your attitude and your belief. People don't end important relationships on a
whim; at some point they really must have felt hurt/unseen/devalued/attacked/vilified/dismissed/damaged/ignored/betrayed/rejected/disrespected
by you enough to build that wall. Of course you never meant to do any such thing, but that's how they took it, and that's
how they feel. That's reality. That's a fact. Acknowledge, understand, empathize, and apologize. Any attempt to excuse
or explain your behavior will make things worse between you.
2. Curiosity is seen as caring. You can tell someone all day and night how much you
care about them, but if you're not the least bit curious about how they feel, how deep can that caring really go? To be genuinely
curious about someone else's experience is a gift not commonly given. Now is the time to give the other person the gift of
your curiosity about them. You might send a letter or an email acknowledging their rejection of you, taking a guess as to
the cause if appropriate, and asking for details of their experience. Finish by asking what you can do to make amends. Make
suggestions you know they will appreciate, if appropriate.
3. Make an effort on their behalf. Think of how you might set things right between
the two of you, in a way that speaks to the other person. What do they want? What might they need? How can you selflessly
be of assistance to them right now? Actions do speak louder than words, so you'll need to balance your curiosity (see #2 above)
with a contribution of active energy. Making an effort, going out of your way to say or do something meaningful to the other
person (rather than to you), will demonstrate your good intentions.
4. Validate their feelings and their position. You do not have to agree with
their view of what happened in order to do this. You need only understand how they see things from their point of view. See
the article on validation for details.
5. This
is not about you. Your story is not interesting right now to the person who rejected you. They are only interested
in their story. Since it was they who initiated the estrangement, your job is to be curious about them, to validate their
feelings, and to be available to them in a way that they define as positive or useful.
Imagine if you went to a dentist
with a sore tooth, and the dentist came into the waiting room and sat down beside you and said, "I know you've got
a sore tooth, but I am so upset today I can barely work." Imagine the dentist launching into a story about what's
going on at home that's got her so upset. How much do you care, as you sit there with your hand on your cheek and your tooth
aching like crazy, about the dentist's problems? When you're hurting, it's hard to be interested in others. Realize that the
person who's cut you off has been hurt by you, even if they don't act like it.
6. Accept their decision. For whatever reason, no matter what you do, the
other person may decide not to let you back into their life. Let them know that you accept their decision, that you genuinely
wish them well, and that the door is always open if they change their mind. Acknowledge to yourself the loss of the relationship,
and allow yourself to mourn. Accept the new reality of your life without that person in it. You will survive without them.
Your life may look and feel different to you, but it will be yours to do with as you please. If they ever do change their
mind and come knocking on your door, decide right now to let them find a peaceful, whole person on the other side.
