‘Doormat Mom’ cut off by daughter amid estrangement trend: ‘Completely blindsided’
She blames several factors that drive division, including political and cultural differences and “societal narratives that are destroying families.”
“There’s a lack of foundation and traditional family values … loss of faith, loss of grounded principles, and the education that’s happening in our country,” Wellington said. “The way these things are being skewed today, cutting off your parent is the first go-to, not the last.”
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“We’re at a crossroads in our nation, because what’s the point of saving a nation if you don’t have cohesive families to save it for?”
In December 2024, on the weekend of her daughter’s wedding, Wellington released a self-published book, “Doormat Mom, No More!”
“I married my new life, so to speak,” she said. “It became not my personal story anymore — it became a story of many.”
Wellington has also heard from young adults who are seeking to repair parental relationships.
“There are some wonderful young people out there who really do want answers, they want to solve their problems, they want to have the relationship,” she said.
In some cases, Wellington acknowledged, adult children are warranted in ending the relationship, such as in cases of abuse or neglect.
Causes and impacts
Dr. Jonathan Alpert, a New York City psychotherapist, told Fox News Digital that he is seeing parent-child estrangement becoming more common, with politics often playing a role.
“I regularly work with families where estrangement isn’t driven by abuse or neglect as much as it is by political identity and voting behavior,” he said. “Parents are cut off because of who they voted for, what news they watch or the views they express.”
“What would once have been handled as disagreement is now framed as moral injury.”
Alpert echoed Wellington’s claim that estrangement is becoming more of an automatic reflex.
“Once a parent’s beliefs are labeled as ‘unsafe’ or ‘toxic,’ disengagement feels justified and necessary,” he said. “Estrangement becomes a form of moral signaling rather than a last-resort response to genuine harm.”
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In cases where adult children go “no-contact,” Alpert said the emotional impact can be “severe.”
“Parents often experience profound grief, confusion and shame,” he said. “Adult children may initially feel empowered, but many later struggle with unresolved anger, rigidity, and a narrowing of emotional tolerance that affects other relationships as well.”
After initially being involved in her daughter’s wedding plans, Wellington was abruptly told that she would not be invited to attend, she said. (Laura Wellington)
Alpert’s biggest concern, he said, is that estrangement is increasingly presented as emotional health.
“In reality, emotional health often involves learning how to stay connected across differences,” he said. “When therapy language and political culture reward rupture over repair, families are left divided long after the arguments fade.”
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Alpert emphasized that there’s a difference between boundaries and estrangement.
“Boundaries are meant to allow a continued relationship with limits, while estrangement ends the relationship entirely,” he said.
Advice for parents
For parents who are struggling with estrangement from adult children, Wellington warns against trying to force reconciliation, as she said that can actually make things worse.
“Estrangement becomes a form of moral signaling rather than a last-resort response to genuine harm.”
Melissa Rudy is senior health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to melissa.rudy@fox.com.
Article source: https://www.foxnews.com/health/doormat-mom-cut-off-daughter-amid-estrangement-trend-completely-blindsided