I’m in my late 30s and stopped communicating with my parents a few years ago. They had been controlling, manipulative and demanding and, despite trying to assert some healthy boundaries, they didn’t respect me so I decided to cease contact. In the time I haven’t spoken to them I’ve flourished and feel like myself, my confidence and self-esteem are doing well and I haven’t had issues with anxiety or depression.
I sometimes feel bad that we don’t have a relationship and I wonder if I should get in touch to try again, with much stricter boundaries that, if they don’t respect them, would mean I stop contact. But I’m concerned they would continue their narcissistic and demanding behaviour again. I don’t know if re-establishing contact is a good idea or if I’m romanticising the idea of having a relationship with them. My friends have been sceptical about whether they would change. What would you recommend?
