Have you cut out a close family member from your life?

Lou67

I don't want to go into detail, but yes is the answer to this, and what a shock that so many people have also cut out family: and yet a relief. Certain extended family members of mine are toxic, narcissistic, users, bludgers, thieves and chavs.

There are multiple reasons for not maintaining contact, and since I stopped (3 years ago,) I have been much happier. I now have my immediate family (OH, daughter, etc,) several in-laws and a small handful of aunts and cousins who lives 100 miles away, several close friends and a few neighbours as the main people in my life, and I have never been happier.

I moved house 3 years ago, away from the area I lived, and didn't give the extended family in my town my address. The 3 aunts and 3 cousins that I stay in touch with, and see 3 or 4 times a year (from 100 miles away) moved away from our town 2 decades ago, have also had nothing to do with the family in my local town for many years either, as they find them vile and common.

sassyblue

JanCee wrote: »

I clearly tempted fate with this comment as my elderly mother is now ill in hospital & I am now in almost daily contact with the evil step brother.

He is like toxic waste, contaminating everything he comes into contact with.

hope your mum gets better soon and you manage to tolerate the stepbrother.

red_devil

for people have have done this how have you acted when you see these people out and about? do you ignore each other, do they attempt to say hello etc?

missprice

Depends on them really
My birth father has pretty much ignored me for 30+ years so it aint hard to walk past and pretend I never saw him
If he has ever seen me(ignoring him) he has not pulled me about it.

My uncle on the other hand has pestered me now and again, I think its guilty feelings so for a couple of years nothing , then a year of pestering and inviting me to things that I always say no to (politely I am not rude) then a few years of nothing, am actually expecting a pester year this year but not happened so far

dragoneye454

I have cut my mother and sister out of my life (with my brother then being unseeable as he is still young and lives with her)

It isn't easy but sometimes it is for the best.

I try to avoid places where they would be as much as possible and as yet have not seen them. I would ignore them though.

browneyedbazzi

red_devil wrote: »

for people have have done this how have you acted when you see these people out and about? do you ignore each other, do they attempt to say hello etc?

I now live more that 4000 miles away from my sister so there's no risk of bumping into her out and about! I do see her on the odd occasion when I visit home and will nod or say hello back if she says hello to me but I don't get involved in conversation. She knows how I feel about contact with her and why, so keeps her distance. In her head I'm the villain, but I don't mind that because I'd rather live a happy life with her thinking badly of me than have a miserable life with her in it.

Lagoon

I'm another fortunate one living far from family, so don't have the issue of bumping into anyone.

I've had to turn down invitations to larger family events to avoid them, which is unfortunate, but so far only Christenings etc. Many other family members I don't think even know that I have no contact with my immediate family any more (though a few probably worked it out at my wedding, when they weren't there!), so I do try to make an 'excuse' for my non-attendance. The fact that it would cost me a small fortune to travel is always a good one!

If it were a wedding or funeral I would also politely decline. Again that would be difficult, but I would always send my best wishes and in the unfortunate event of a funeral (none yet, thank goodness) would find my own way to pay tribute.

red_devil

i used to feel very intimidated my oh's brother he has a loud booming voice and would often shout hello in the street really loudly. I used to see him alot as he worked in town and was often about but now thankfully he dosent so i dont hardly see him.

blueybug

I cut out my "sister" do I regret it? do i f***!!