Broken beyond repair?
What if the relationship is so damaged, it’s not fixable? Is it OK to walk away from a parent for good?
ZOE SAYS: “I believe there are certain boundaries that, if crossed, can lead you to conclude that a person shouldn’t be as involved in your life as they have been if it’s not good for your mental health or your safety. It’s OK to have those thoughts and it takes a lot of courage to admit it. If you have the privilege of being able to get professional support, that’s a good way to navigate that transition. Also, as much as you can, try to be open with your mum about the relationship. Explain how you feel and let her know that you’re considering cutting her off to give her the opportunity to understand that you’re serious. If you’re not able to have that honest conversation, make sure you’re speaking to other people close to you, who are able to support you in that decision. Also, don’t completely write off that relationship forever. Just tapping out of it for a bit and seeing how that feels without closing the door completely might be all that you need.”