I recently responded to a call from a woman who struggled emotionally after severing her relationship with her mother. The reasons for her decision shall remain private and are not important for this topic. Her decision and action are what I will talk about here.
Over the years, I have met several people who took a similar step, severing relations with their parents, siblings, even children. Each of these people struggled with that decision for a long and agonizing time, weighing different experiences and factors. Their process was different for each individual using unique factors and reasons. They all took a long and usually painful time to get to a decision, struggling with possible solutions, trying to defend themselves against physical and emotional pressures, and seeking a reasonable outcome that will avoid that dreaded outcome. In the end, they all reached the same conclusion.
The road to that decision is challenging, and acting upon it is hard. The peer pressure surrounding it adds dimensions to both the decision process and the execution itself. Emotional struggles and regrets lace the process from its beginning and never die down completely even long after it is done.
If you or someone you know are facing a similar situation, start the process by not doing it alone. The high emotions that lead one to that position and the high stakes of the possible outcome call for measured steps and careful thinking. Individual therapy for the person struggling with this dilemma and couples or group therapy for the people involved are highly appropriate but are not the only path. Talking to trusted people who can help inject reason and control into the situation, such as a wise friend or a life coach is also a must. As the situation progresses, elements and possibilities may become more and more complicated, entangling the person into deeper struggles. That outcome can be avoided by taking the recommended steps mentioned above.
If you or someone you know is dealing with like situation please refer them to me or simply forward this article to them. Pain and misery can be avoided. It is all a matter of good action.