When Family and Politics Don’t Mix
Dear Abby advises a woman who has grown estranged from her family over politics.
Dear Abby,
I relocated to a conservative state to be closer to my aging parents and to build stronger connections with my siblings and extended family. Six years later, my parents and one of my sisters have passed away, and I find myself questioning why I’m still here.
Politically, I’m on the opposite end of the spectrum from most of my relatives. While I’m able to set those differences aside and avoid political discussions, my husband often engages in heated debates with them, despite my efforts to explain that no one is likely to change their views.
As a result, we’ve gradually been excluded from family gatherings. Communication has dwindled on both sides — they don’t reach out, and neither do we. Some relationships have grown cold, and political tensions only make things worse.
I want to reconnect, but I don’t know how to move forward when political talk dominates the conversation. How can I begin to repair these strained relationships?
— Feeling Stuck in Utah
About Post Author
