What do you say when people ask about your parents?

Question

I am 27M and no contact with both parents for three years. most of my friends know the situation. but at work and in casual settings people always ask about family. simple questions like are you visiting your parents for the holidays. i freeze every time. i never know how much to share. i do not want to trauma dump on coworkers. but i also hate pretending everything is normal. sometimes i just say we are not close. other times i change the subject. it still feels awkward and isolating. i wish estrangement was more understood. how do you answer those questions without oversharing? do you keep it vague or direct?

Posted Feb 26, 2026, 2:02 PM UTC

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