Heartbroken Mom wrote a letter to advice columnist R. Eric Thomas about her strained relationship with her son and his husband. The couple have been married for 14 years, and the mother expressed sadness over feeling distant from her son. The mother acknowledged that when her son first came out as gay, they were cautious about sharing the news with the extended family due to fear of hurtful gossip. This led to a rift between the mother and her son, as he felt offended by their actions.
Despite apologizing and making efforts to mend the relationship, the mother still feels disconnected from her son. She shared her heartbreak over the lack of communication and visits, with her always being the one to initiate contact. The mother has sought therapy and support to cope with the pain of the strained relationship.
Thomas advised the mother to have a direct conversation with her son about rebuilding trust and understanding each other’s needs. He encouraged the son to seek therapy for his resentment and for both parties to work towards a healthier relationship. Thomas acknowledged the difficulty of the situation but emphasized the importance of setting boundaries and respecting each other’s needs.
In the end, Thomas suggested that if the son is unwilling to work on rebuilding trust, the mother may need to accept the situation and grieve the loss while also embracing what is possible in the present. The column provided guidance on how to navigate strained family relationships with empathy and understanding.
Source
Photo credit www.masslive.com