Conspiracy Theorists and Sibling Estrangement

There are a variety of factors that cause sibling estrangement. Some such factors include parental favoritism, lack of conflict management strategies, mental health issues, a sense of betrayal, and inheritance issues, just to name a few. But differences in political beliefs can also have a hand in driving people apart. Here, we’ll explore how conspiracyContinue reading “Conspiracy Theorists and Sibling Estrangement”

Matriarchs, Patriarchs and Sibling Estrangement

The experience of sibling estrangement is caused by many factors. One such factor is the influence of parents on issues that arise with a brother or sister. Indeed, what parents say and do, and what they don’t, can make a difference. Here, we’ll explore what happens when matriarchs and patriarchs shirk their roles of influenceContinue reading “Matriarchs, Patriarchs and Sibling Estrangement”

Welcoming Vulnerability in Sibling Estrangement

A few weeks before my sister’s wedding day some years ago, I had been pressed to confirm my presence at her event. I had mentioned to her that I would indeed be present, despite that it cut into a course I was taking at the time several hours away. On the day of the event,Continue reading “Welcoming Vulnerability in Sibling Estrangement”

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy and Sibling Estrangement

In a former job, where I used to work as a substance abuse counselor, there would be a concept that I would bring up with regard to certain behaviors that would be predictive with some clients. It had to do with the idea that if an initial problem was not taken care of and keptContinue reading “Self-Fulfilling Prophecy and Sibling Estrangement”

The Benefits of Curiosity with Sibling Estrangement

A few years ago, Back when my sister and I were talking more, I phoned her just to see how she was doing. I was immediately met with the assumption that I was phoning because I was bored, and that she didn’t want to be used to relieve my boredom. I was left flabbergasted, asContinue reading “The Benefits of Curiosity with Sibling Estrangement”

The Dark Side of Voluntary and Involuntary Estrangement

As we continue to find kindred souls who experience sibling estrangement like us, and have relevant conversations about this subject on the sibling estrangement Facebook page, sooner or later, differing perspectives come up. We’ve talked before about estrangers and estrangees, and how it’s not always obvious where one or the other starts. Nonetheless, more needsContinue reading “The Dark Side of Voluntary and Involuntary Estrangement”

Your Future Self and Sibling Estrangement

One of the challenges we have to contend with in sibling relationships are the ups and downs we get with the reshaping of our life. Like a boat in rough waters, we strive to keep our course, and sometimes, a wave gets the best of us for a given time. One such wave can beContinue reading “Your Future Self and Sibling Estrangement”

Six types of Courage and Sibling Estrangement

Mapping the challenges that come with sibling estrangement can be a daunting task. We are invariably put in a position that causes us to reevaluate entire relationships, and assess what this has done to us, and how best we can cope and protect ourselves. One aspect that comes to mind is the courage and dignityContinue reading “Six types of Courage and Sibling Estrangement”

From Personalization to Prioritizing your Feelings

Note to readers: I first presented the concept of personalization in a previous article. This is a further expansion of how personalization can influence us in relationships.  It’s no secret that we become the product of our environment. What people say or do to us influences our development. In fact, some of us internalize messagesContinue reading “From Personalization to Prioritizing your Feelings”

Should I go No Contact with my sibling?

Maintaining or completely cutting off ties with a sibling is perhaps one of the biggest questions we can attempt to answer. It is not always an easy decision to make, and can sometimes feel counter-intuitive. Such a choice doesn’t come lightly, and can be due to a series of dehumanising and demeaning gestures that buildContinue reading “Should I go No Contact with my sibling?”