Young mom wants to repair fractured family
Dear Amy: I am 32 years old. My parents divorced 17 years ago. I came home from school to find my dad gone. Months went by before there was any communication.
Within a year, he had remarried.
Originally his wife was friendly. When I became an adult, that changed. She completely fell off the face of the Earth, and so did my dad, even though we live just miles apart. The last time I was at his house was 2014.
My dad barely stayed an hour at my wedding (his wife didn't attend), and also missed the birth of my and my husband's first child. I've invited them both to our home, and when I ask to have a get-together, he informs me that he (alone) will "stop by."
At this point, I no longer seek affirmation.
My mom says I need to be honest with him, but I have already told him that we are running out of time to form a relationship with his grandson, and that I'm disappointed that he is not available.
I don't know what I have done to offend his wife.
Someone close to me recommended that I bypass my dad and contact her instead.
I'm a little nervous doing that because I hate to create conflict.
I'm trying to do what I can to spare any regrets or hard feelings. What can you suggest?
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