I am (F25) limiting contact with family members due to conflict. How do I rebuild trust and move on from conflict?

r/

I was originally born and raised in Vietnam (F25) & came to Canada at 18. I am not too close to my dad (M60) because he is not nice to Mom. Whenever I bring this up, my bigger brother (M36) brushes it off so we are not too close either. I am only close with Mom (F60).

Recently, I got approved for my bilateral salpingectomy. Mom initially had a very dramatic response, basically she said what I am trying to do is “unreasonable” and that I am too “pessimistic”, “over the top”, and that I should “wait until I get married and then decide”. At the end we had to agree to disagree. It’s been 2 months and she has calmed down, and let me clarify, nothing entirely bad about being dramatic and emotional when you hear that your daughter is going through a surgery that you do not understand. I still talk to her but not as openly as I was before (she is going through an information diet). About a week ago, my brother entered the chat. He told me is against it because:

  1. So many people are trying to have children, but here I am trying to make myself childless.
  2. Having children is how we naturally move on as a society and it is my responsibility to contribute.

My Mom said he only wants the best for me and comes from a good place. I am very angry that he never tried to talk to me equally, instead, he imposes whatever beliefs on me. When I tried to explain my point of view, he said arguing with me is worthless and basically ends the conversation.

My mental health has been a wreck. I am always stressed out and feel drained talking to my family members. I haven’t talked to my Mom in a couple of weeks.

Yesterday, I send over a paragraph explaining why I feel so disrespected and asking for space. I told them if they want to talk, I am always available but I will be limiting conversations to only necessary to protect my own peace. 24 hours have passed with no response.

I talked to my Mom afterwards and she seems to understand now even though she initially agreed with what my brother said during the argument (he said if I do not wish to raise a kid I should just give birth anyways and send the child over his way. I find this ridiculous but my mom originally was making excuses for my brother instead of acknowledging all the nonsense he said). At the end, she said she doesn’t know what to do about our conflict and situation. I get a sense of her struggling to make us both equally happy and I feel awfully guilty.

I grew up being the difficult child. I always do what I want regardless of what Dad thinks (cut my hair, wear ripped jeans, have a boyfriend at 16) and later on went through a drinking phase. That was bad but I was 17, I didn’t know any better. I feel like they have been putting up with me & I have always been such a brat. They also paid for university abroad. I haven’t done anything to repay them and now, I have the audacity to ask for space. They have never asked for space when I was a brat, and they have always cared about me. I feel awful talking to them because we never resolve anything and I feel awful not talking to them because I love them and I only have limited time on Earth with them.

If anyone has any advice, I would love to hear it. Please do not hold back.

TL;DR: Tips to resolve conflict and improve relationships with family members who are quite avoidant but still very opinionated.

Comments

  1. mew_mew_kitty_kat Avatar

    I would suggest you seek therapy to help you navigate and better understand the guilt you feel when you impose boundaries on your family. But I don’t really know what else you are looking for here, your family are who they are. You are never going to change their minds about the choices you make in your life, that’s okay, you can simply agree to disagree and not engage in conversation or try to defend the choices you make. You said you would limit conversation yet are hurt they have not replied, it sounds like they are respecting your wishes.