Life Advice

/

Health

Adult seeks to heal from childhood trauma

By Amy Dickinson, Tribune Content Agency on

I blocked her numbers.

My grandmother was sort of caught in the middle, and while she was on my side, she eventually stopped even mentioning me when she would speak to my mother.

I was always willing to have a relationship with my mother, and wanted to meet with her in a public location. My mother wanted to meet in my grandmother's apartment. I declined because I did not trust her.

Recently my grandmother was in the hospital, and my mother and I were finally in the same room together. Since then she has not contacted me. I believe she doesn't want to have a relationship with me, unless I leave my boyfriend.

Even my father loves and accepts me. He asked me what he could do to help us have a relationship.

At this point, what can I do to make my mother accept my decision and want to have a relationship with me?

-- Motherless

Dear Motherless: You are young, but you seem to have been on your own for a long time.

Your mother might have done many things wrong regarding your relationship, but according to you she has made at least one "bid" to try to see you. Now it's your turn to try.

 

If you want to have a relationship with your mother, write to her and say so. Let your father be a go-between. Yes, you two should meet in a public location. Given your history with your mother, any relationship with her will start out rocky -- and it may stay that way. But relationships are built with small steps, and one of you has to take the first one.

Dear Amy: Bravo for your response to "Worried Widower!" Like Worried's daughter, I grew up with only my dad, who told me the "facts of life."

Thank goodness my dad was so honest and compassionate when I first got my period! I was so confused and anxious, and he was just really calm and sweet. He did a great job raising me, and I'm really grateful.

-- Grateful Daughter

Dear Grateful: Any -- and every -- parent should be honest with their children about sex, sexuality and reproduction.

========

(You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@amydickinson.com. Readers may send postal mail to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or "like" her on Facebook.)


 

 

Comics

Mike Luckovich Doonesbury Chip Bok Dennis the Menace Andy Marlette Mike Peters