Fern Schumer Chapman

Betrayal trauma undermines attachment and disrupts a sense of safety in close relationships. psychologytoday.com/us/blog/… #trust #estrangement #relationships #betrayal

An "Awkward Grief" for Her Half-Brother—in Life and in Death | Psychology Today psychologytoday.com/us/blog/… #ambiguousloss #DisenfranchisedGrief #siblingestrangement #siblings #familyalienation #familydysfunction #familydynamics

Sibling estrangement is not just about not talking to your brother or sister. #alienation #Siblings #familydynamics #family #silence #brothersandsisters #silenced #trust psychologytoday.com/us/blog/…

Thank you for sharing @PsychToday !

Reader's Digest explores sibling estrangement. Honored to be included in this article. rd.com/article/adult-sibling… #estrangement #sibling #alienation #estranged #Psychology

One risk factors for sibling estrangement is a family member who has #narcissistic personality traits. That person may not be diagnosed, but they may display characteristics. #estrangement #familydynamics \psychologytoday.com/us/blog/…

Thanks for sharing @PsychToday!

Reconciliation can lead to healing, growth, and renewed family bonds. Before approaching an estranged sibling, reflect on your intentions and your approach. #siblings #SiblingGoals #estrangement #cutoff #reconciliationornot psychologytoday.com/us/blog/…

Thanks for sharing, @PsychToday! #family #relationships #relationshipwisdom #attachment #relationshipgoals

💡 Key takeaway: Family conflicts over deeply personal matters are often difficult to reconcile. However, understanding and respecting each other's identities can help ease the divide.

Choosing to set boundaries with a parent or family member who cannot accept you is not about abandoning family; it’s about choosing personal well-being and the freedom to live authentically.

🔹 Estrangement as self-preservation Sometimes, estrangement becomes a necessary act of self-preservation.

When parents refuse to accept who their child is, it can feel like a loss of love—a pain that often leads to distance to protect their emotional health.

🔹 The pain of non-acceptance For children, feeling rejected by family members for something as core as their identity can be deeply traumatizing.

This conflict can create emotional pain and misunderstanding, leading to estrangement when the relationship becomes too strained.

🔹 Why does this happen? Parents may have a hard time accepting their child's identity or life choices, especially when those choices clash with a family’s deeply held beliefs, cultural norms, or personal expectations.

Family estrangement can often stem from fundamental differences between parents and children, especially when it comes to sexual orientation, gender identity, choice of spouse, religion, or political views.

This post addresses the power dynamics of siblings and what parents should know ... psychologytoday.com/us/blog/…

💡 Why does this matter? Birth order shapes family roles that deeply influence sibling interactions. When these roles lead to unmet expectations, conflicts can arise, potentially contributing to estrangement. Birth order dynamics may shed some light on why conflicts can happen.