Family Reconciliation

Fear is one of the biggest obstacles to reconciliation.  When we reach out to estranged family members we have no idea what the outcome will be.  On the one hand, you might be met with open arms and on the other hand you could be met with hostility, accusations, and rejection. Reconciliation and risk go hand in hand. 

• Unsure of how to proceed with the reconciliation process.  Being unsure of how to reach out to estranged family members is a major obstacle.
• Fear of being rejected.  Even though you are currently estranged from family members taking the risk of possible further rejection can hold you back from reconciliation. 
• Fear of having to face the other person’s anger toward you or your situation.
• Taking the risk that you might be met with bad behavior such as rudeness, accusations or further abuse.
• Reaching out to a family member may make things worse than before the reconciliation attempt.
• You might find out that the other person or family members don’t love you anymore.
• If you take the risk of reconciliation you might have to face that the relationship is truly over. 
• You might feel worse trying to reconcile a relationship than you did before your attempt at reconciliation.
• Feeling as though reaching out in reconciliation means that you are the weaker person and you are accepting or excusing the situation.

Not all relationships can be reconciled.  Some people may be too violent, destructive, or unwilling to have a relationship with you. Other people in your life may be lost to alcohol or drugs or suffering from mental illness making your attempts at reconciliation impossible.  You will need to decide if reconciliation is in your best interest and if the relationship is worth fighting for.