A recent letter to advice columnist R. Eric Thomas details a difficult family situation involving a sister going through a divorce after 40 years of marriage. The writer describes the sister’s history of berating her husband and displaying volatile behavior towards family members, including their elderly mother who has breast cancer. Following the separation, the writer visited the sister in her new home, only to later unintentionally meet the ex-husband’s new girlfriend, causing the sister to become enraged and accuse the writer of disloyalty.
In response, Thomas advises the writer to acknowledge both their sister’s and their own anger, while also setting boundaries and taking a step back from the situation. He suggests offering support but providing space for emotions to cool down, especially as the family still needs to communicate about important matters such as their mother’s health. The columnist emphasizes the importance of clear communication and self-care in navigating challenging family dynamics.
Source
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
