ASK ELLIE

My family split apart years ago. My mother moved me away from my father to another city for better healthcare, at age two.

My father never missed a birthday and took me during the summer when he could. At age five, my mother's new husband became another amazing father to me.

They were both always there for me in their own way.

My biological father was living with his girlfriend. My dislike for her came naturally. She was always trying to "do what was best" for me, always doing her own research on my "condition."

Ultimately, I was no longer allowed to see my father at his place, so that I could avoid his wife.

Years later, when I learned that I was having a baby, I was excited to share it with everyone equally.

My father visited with his girlfriend. I tried to be respectful for his sake, to gently tell her why I didn't want to do things "her way."

But it became too much and I snapped at her. I felt terribly and called them the same night to apologize. But there's remained a strain.

I rarely hear from my father. I've apologized to his now-wife, personally. I feel that my father, 25 years later, has abandoned me.

I tried talking with him, smoothing things over with his wife, but every effort I make is lost.

The only time they put in is when it involves their grandson, which is still good.

Now, a falling-out between my mom and step-dad has me upset. Things had obviously been sour for a while.

My biggest fear was that my family would fall apart.

There's currently strain between my mother and her ex. Recently, when he and I were together with friends, he was asked whether I was his daughter.

I wondered if we weren't family after 20 years just because they broke up. No. He still call's me his daughter, but I'm afraid.

This is what I have with my biological father. We're family but I worry that he'll slowly walk out of the picture.

Neither of my fathers are the same anymore. I used to think it was my fault - that I wasn't trying hard enough.

I try not to ask for anything more than just time with either of them, yet both are growing more distant.

What went wrong? Is it because I'm grown up with a family of my own? Am I trying too hard and somehow pushing them away?

Abandoned

No, you're not “abandoned,” you have a family of your own.

Also, some of the grandparents want to be involved with your son, which means they're still in your life.

You had a fortunate situation of two very attentive fathers, but because of early separation and health issues, you often felt vulnerable.

Don't confuse that past with your position today as a mother who's needed and loved. (You don't mention a husband, but of being in a family) so you likely have a relationship with your child's father.

Adult family situations including step-parents, divorce, minor squabbles, couple's rifts, etc. make your world more complicated, but not necessarily dire.

You can handle it. When it's appropriate, apologize (you've done that). When it's a passing incident, ignore.

Keep your eye on the main goal – a life without unnecessary stress over small matters, the ability to adapt to necessary changes, recognizing what's most important in your immediate world, and raising a healthy, secure child.

My on-off girlfriend has asked to be “just friends.” She says her dream career is taking off and she can’t focus on anything else.

She's always said she's not ready for a relationship, even though we had great times and conversations, and the sex was amazing.

We learned a lot about each other. I thought we were getting closer. Now she doesn't even want “benefits.” She says I'm free to date, but she wants to stay in touch.

I thought I loved her. But she'd close down sometimes and we stopped seeing each other for a while. I thought this time we were more solid.

Does staying friends still give me a chance with her or should I just move on? Off-Again

Say “no thanks” to crumbs. She knows how you feel about her.

And you know how she feels… that is, self-absorbed.

She's never allowed a relationship with you to develop. Maybe it's her career drive, maybe it's other stuff from her past.

But she's more of a taker than a giver. And she's giving even less from now on.