Hope Prevails Blogs

Parental estrangement is more common than most people think, yet it is rarely spoken about openly. Whether you have stepped back from a parent to protect your wellbeing, or a parent has withdrawn from you, the experience can feel confusing, isolating, and heavy. This article offers a calm, practical look at why estrangement happens, how to care for yourself through it, and what a thoughtful path forward can look like, with or without contact.

If you live the FIFO life, you already know the pattern. The plane lands, everyone is excited, and the first hours at home feel intense and bright. Then the weekend hits, and small frictions creep in. Different routines, tired bodies, mismatched expectations, and the countdown clock quietly humming in the background. By Sunday night, you are wondering where the closeness went and why the goodbye feels heavy again.

For mental health professionals, understanding the nuances of generational trauma is essential for supporting clients in recognising patterns, fostering resilience, and promoting healing across generations.