Resources

Web Links and Phone Numbers

1. National Domestic Violence Hotline: https://www.thehotline.org/
   
2. Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html
   
3. Estranged from adult children - take care of yourself to heal: https://www.rejectedparents.net/estranged-from-adult-children-take-are-of-yourself/
4. Stages of Estrangement:  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/constructive-wallowing/201901/stages-estrangement-transformation
5. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255

Suggested Reading

There are not that many parental estrangement books out there. Some that I looked seemed useless, in that they did not include clear definitions, descriptions of other parent's stories, and an action plan for getting through. What I have listed are books that I have read and found helpful. The links are to Amazon, where you can read reviews and decide for yourself what may be helpful.

 

Fault Lines: Fractured Families and How to Mend Them by Karl Pillemer, PhD

This is an excellent book with solid research from a sociologist. The author defines estrangement, looks at the inter-generational effects, and resolution.

 

Done With The Crying: Help and Healing for Mother's of Estranged Adult Children by Sheri McGregor M.A.

I have found this book revelatory and essential in understanding estrangement from a parent's perspective. There is an action plan for getting through and beyond estrangement.

The Grief Recovery Handbook, 20th Anniversary Expanded Edition: The Action Program for Moving Beyond Death, Divorce, and Other Losses including Health, Career, and Faith by John W. James and Russell Friedman

This book was essential in my grief recovery work. It helped me with the passing of my mother, residual grief from my divorce, and understanding estrangement when I was blind-sided by it.

 

The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are by Brene Brown, PhD., L.M.S.W. 

This really is a guide to living a wholehearted life. There is so much shame surrounding grief and estrangement and this helps get past that. It addresses the challenges faced mid-life, including experiencing loss or trauma.

A Few Words about Social Media

Facebook

There are many groups on Facebook for estranged parents. I would suggest finding one that takes precautions for privacy. I have found it useful to connect with other parents who are going through the same thing in a shame free and judgement free space.

Instagram

Most of the pages I saw on Instagram were from children estranging from parents. Instagram is where I discovered the "no contact" method. Tread lightly.

Reddit

If you really want to know about parental estrangement from children's perspective, read there with caution. It's educational, but will be upsetting. Put your thick skin on.