I've definitely had to take a huge step back from family. Too toxic for my health and I'm so done with it. It is hard but necessary to be okay, to be healthy, and to have peace.
Yup, I didn't have any contact with my mother for 30 years. Haven't spoken to my dad in over a decade or my brother in about 5 years. Its sad but needed.
I totally understand when people need to cut out toxic people from their lives. What I don't understand is how a parent can brainwash their child into hating the other parent, purposefully and selfishly causing the child to be alienated from what would have been a loving and healthy relationship - instead for a controlling and isolated existence with a mentally ill parent.
I have estranged myself from my father and brother, purposefully and justifiably; really. After 45 years, I’ve chosen to be happy and that was never going to happen with them in my daily life.