Thanks for this Michele. I recall the history with your mum. But thank you for covering the "if you want to see them" point as well and not just continuing with the general acceptable dialogue that everyone must spend lots of time with their parents otherwise they are a bad person.

Adult relationships with emotional or physically abusive parents are difficult. They will likely never be normal and estrangement is common and absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. Quite the contrary. It takes courage and self-love.