I am emotionally withdrawing from my 17yo teenage daughter, how bad can the consequences be?
I've always been a devoted, present, calm and reliable father figure in my my teen's life, and now I get the teenage treatment that you read in psychology books. Fine. It's human development, it's normal, we've all been through, I get it. But that doesn't help me through difficult times with her.
Anyways, I am slowly and steadily emotionally withdrawing from her. I engage in conversations with her much less, to the point that neither of us would say a word if we 'end up' having dinner just the two of us because my wife and our other children are not there at the moment. I show less interest in what shes says, what is up with her work and at school, etc. I just smile and nod, and 'okay' pretty much anything she says. I don't seek her presence in doing things together like before, I almost avoid her now.
All of this is not out of spite, it's out of a place where there is nothing left. Depletion.
What are the consequences of emotionally withdrawing from one of your teens? What are some life lessons that you could share in that regard?
Posted Aug 21, 2026, 2:22 AM UTC