Abusive Father Takes the Low Road
Dear Abby | November 30th, 2025 | Letter 2 of 3
DEAR ABBY: While we were growing up, my father was abusive toward me and favored my younger sister. He said she was too dumb to be successful, so he pushed me mercilessly (punishing me when I wasn't perfect) and mostly left her alone. As an adult, I finally found the strength to ask him to treat me right. I suggested we go to family counseling to improve our communication. My father agreed initially, then said he was too busy (he's retired) and refused to go. He then cut me off and announced to the family that he was disowning me. My sister believes his story that I cut him off. Since she was never treated poorly, she doesn't believe that I was. How can I continue my relationship with her, while she remains close with him? -- ESTRANGED IN FLORIDA.
DEAR ESTRANGED: You can try to get other family members who remember the dynamic between you and your father to vouch for the fact that you are telling your sister the truth. However, if that's not possible, and you want to maintain a relationship with her, then you will have to agree to make the subject of Dear Old Dad something you do not discuss.
- powered by google cloud