How is your relationship with extended family members due to Nparent(s)?
Long story short--F27. NDad, enabler mom, scapegoat within my immediate family. Low contact with immediate family. (Only really see them at weddings/funerals.)
For the longest time I really loved/respected quite a few of my dad's sisters as a young adult. They seemed to respect my choice to cut ties with him. But as more time has passed, I am starting to realize that although they may understand, ultimately they hold up the dysfunction by never calling out their brother. They remain silent and still invite him to functions/have a relationship with him because he is daddy's favorite little golden child. In some ways, it feels they are compliant in the abuse and toxicity.
It feels weird, but all of these people I used to look up to/care about/respected has dissipated overnight and I am not sure if that is normal? Like I don't hate my extended family by any means, but to say that they do not uphold a system that curated my abuse would be a lie. It's a weird place to be, where I don't hate them because no they did not take part in my abuse, but they also have done no work to dismantle the system either.
Does anyone have a similar experience? Do you love your extended family? Do you respect your extended family? What is your relationship like with them?
Posted Jun 8, 2026, 4:47 AM UTC