Estrangement can be sign of domestic abuse
BY Ask Amy
Saturday, November 03, 2012
11/03/12 at 5:08 AM
Dear Amy: My husband and I are heartsick over a request from our son to refrain from having any contact with him or our daughter-in-law. They have been married for five years, and we feel we have always been kind, generous and supportive of them.
One month ago, we learned from our son that our daughter-in-law has been keeping a "grievance journal" filled with many pages of "grievances" that have upset her, dating from several years before their marriage. Items on this list were insinuations, suppositions and blatant falsehoods. For example, she, overhearing a conversation, supposed that we were talking about her when we were not. We also learned that she interpreted my "body language" as being negative toward her, but we have always liked her.
Now, my husband and I (and our other children) feel we have lost these family members. We will respect our son's request to stop all communication with them to avoid what he calls a "meltdown."
Our family is stunned, deeply hurt and trying very hard to maintain positive thoughts toward them. Help! - Anguished Mother
Dear Anguished: According to your account, your daughter-in-law is isolating your son and denying him access to his support system. This is classic behavior of a domestic abuser.
The "grievance journal" sent shivers up my spine and could be a sign of mental illness. Do not be a party to her machinations.
You should keep in touch with your son. Perhaps he has a close sibling who could reach out to him, or maybe you could contact him while he is at work. You need to determine if he is afraid of her, and you should help him to leave this relationship if he wants to. If he stays, keep the door open for communication.
This is not normal. Women are not the only victims of domestic abuse, but men's stories are seldom told. The Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men and Women has a website and hotline (dahmw.org, 888-743-5754).
Dear Amy: This is in response to the letter from "Upset Wife," whose husband is secretly in touch with many exes. Run!
I have been with my husband for 19 years, and from the beginning he would secretly keep in touch with exes. He even went to his high school reunion without telling me just to see one of his exes. According to our cellphone records, one day they exchanged 159 text messages!
If you don't have trust, you don't have much. I wish I had cut my losses in the first year. - Leaving Soon
Dear Leaving: You are right: Trust (and transparency about relationships) is paramount.
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