TE's new Notes on Estrangement series content contributor explores the fight for cultural acceptance of the realities of estrangement amidst faulty narratives, perceptions and the one directional societal expectations placed upon adult children.

A community member reflects on forms of grief related to estrangement

In December 2025, I wrote a piece for Together Estranged entitled “Estrangement and ‘Getting Over It’.” In that article, I wrote about a friend, who had mid-conflict, told me to stop using my estrangement as an excuse for my poor behavior; especially, since my estrangement had been ongoing for so many years. In other words, “Why aren’t you over this by now? You should be!” was the subtext.

This month, the Rooted Wellbeing columnist exploreshow practices like Tai Chi can support our nervous system. The slow, mindful movements invite us to reconnect with our bodies, helping us notice sensations, breathe a little more deeply and gently come back into the present moment.

Estrangement discourse increasingly suggests that modern psychology and therapy is overly sensitizing adult children to believe "normal" parenting was, in fact, traumatic. This month's Educational Series examines that narrative.

I understand that there may be those, like me, who are desperate to retain their family name as a way to solidify their identity within their family. That before the estrangement, you once belonged to this particular group of people.

Image credit: Pixabay I have recently been introduced to the term “mother hunger.” And although the actual term is new to me, I recognize that I have been writing about this topic unknowingly throughout my columns on Together Estranged. In fact, the article I wrote in November 2025 entitled “Estrangement and Fear of the Unknown” interestingly begins with the sentence “I miss my mom.” When I re-read this article, it becomes painfully clear to me how much I miss my mother.

This month, the advice columnist answers a question about what we owe to the people we leave behind - and to ourselves - when we walk away.

This month, I am forcing myself to write about the positives of estrangement.

Together Estranged Named Resource Organization in new book - No Contact edited by Jenny Bartoy