Parenting

Friday, December 4, 2009

Do you have a bad relationship with one of your parents?

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

It's no secret that Aaron Spelling's wife and daughter, Candy and Tori, do not get along. They have been estranged for years, bickering through tabloids, memoirs and even Tori's TV show, "NoTORIous." Candy often tries to come off as the martyr, saying she doesn't understand why Tori won't see her, or forbids her to see her grandchildren. Hey, Candy, here's a hint: don't go on TV and on the radio and say how you think your daughter is responsible for killing your husband!

Candy went on Larry King last month, and more recently on air and said said Tori abandoned her dad and "that's what killed my husband actually. He just didn't want to live after that. You know, he had done everything ... he could possibly do for his daughter and she wanted no part of him once he couldn't do anything for her." Besides claiming Tori used her dad for fame (he cast her on "Beverly Hills 90210"), she also says Tori was the clinching factor in Aaron's death. "My husband was very ill, and he had stopped eating and taking liquids," Candy said. "He called Tori on a daily basis, and never stopped asking if Tori had returned his call. We had to say no every day."

Besides the fact that this information very likely isn't true, why would Candy try to paint their daughter in such a negative light? Particularly when she claims she's desperate to reconcile! Candy pleaded with Tori in a public letter on her website, "I want to see you and your family – in private, like the 'normal family' you say always wanted," she wrote. Tori responded via US Weekly, saying, "If I said one thing to my mother, it wouldn't be public because if she does intend to have a relationship with her grandchildren--which I am totally open to--I just would like her to approach us privately." Tori sounds much more rational, but again, we're sure there is much more to the story than we're aware of. "I didn't intend to create headlines," claims Candy. "I was asked a question about my daughter not speaking with my family, and I answered truthfully." Uh, right.

This whole situation makes me very sad. My mother had a falling out with her own mother before I was born, and as a result I have only met my grandmother once, and can't even remember it. Though I don't know too much about their past, I have heard several stories about my grandmother, and naturally side with my mother in her desire to distance herself, but I think it's a shame that our extended family has been cut short.

While I maintain very intimate relationships with both my parents, speaking with them several times a week, I know many people have great strain and distance in their parental relationships. Whether, they are angry at their parents or just find they have nothing in common with them, I think more people have difficulties with their own moms and dads than we realize.

Is it justified to cut off a parent if they have caused a lot of emotional harm or disputes, or do you think families need to work out their differences? Have you ever been estranged from one of your parents? [US Weekly][Hit Dan Back]
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From the Community…

Comments 11-13 of 13
  • another hockey fan's Avatar
    Posted by another hockey fan Mon Jun 1, 2009 9:24am PDT

    My mother and I have a great relationship. Not always, but after I moved out at 21 it was great (that was YEARS ago ;-) my dad and I never have. My father has always been a very unhappy man. He never took the time or concern for himself to address his anger issues towards his own father and played the blame card (ie it's everyone else's fault but me). It took years for me with and without counseling to realize I am never going to be good enough in my father's eyes and that I don't have to love him. Most people think it's horrific if you don't love your parents, but how can you love someone who mentally abused you and gave you material love, not emotional love. Anyhow, my father is in his 70's now and my peace for him will be when he passes away. That may sound cold, but for someone who has been unhappy their whole life, the one thing that would make them happy would be at peace.

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  • stasha's Avatar
    Posted by stasha Mon Jun 1, 2009 10:13am PDT

    my mother is very hard on me,i never really felt safe with her as she would turn on me in a sec ...and those around me and then make herself look all destressed ....it was poor mom!!!! and me on the street's after i moved in with my children family .i was only 14.she made a exsample out of me with everything my sisters did .i was the only one to stick to my gun's on matter's of the heart ...being torn into with my dad ..it hurt ...she made me and my sisters say that my dad hit her when he never did and the cops took him away all to find out she was sleeeping with his best freind ...my dad died 4 years ago and i loved him for him and he was a good person made to look bad by her as she does to whoever stands up to her.well out of her turning on on me so much ...helping other's ....and closeing the door on my back the way she has ....has come back to her in a poetic way .she is in a living hell of her own now,she has no control over anyone now and she's very sad about it.she just thinks that im doing to well to even need her love .and the truth is i want my mom and always have but she has hurt to many with her evil lies and i had to dismiss anything she had tought me for it would have turned me into a munipulateve person my self .she now hate's herself for what she did to my dad.he killed himself over this evil hatefull world that she showed us and she 's a child of christ ? she took his heart and crushed it right in front of us kid's .she hit my dad that day and he went to jail! she need's to relize that he wont be there when she passes .she has ruined our famly and my passed on fatherd life ,nothing but why's all the time .i just dont like to know her anymore as she still burns in rage.if she has god in her life then mabey he will forgive her for letting me get molested and for being raised by my own daughter grandparents .Im glad that i have learnd some of the good things like keeping away from people like that .why she never protected me is something ill find out when i pass i guess ,cause at my age 36, she still spews hate on herself and other's and it's best to stay away so i dont hurt inside .i still call her but i cant be with her cause i see right threw her eye's and it's ugly. a woman should act like a woman .and useing ugly words and acting like a man and hurting other people is week to me ..only the strong survive ...yes im strong but i have always wanted love from her unconditionally.it's to bad i cant trust her .she keep's putting my littel sister in jail cause she think's it will keep her safe ...well my sister is a grown woman of 26 year's ,no help from you mom. oh yea you told me to never call you that srry! i find it so hard to feel this way about her as it's againt my religion but life is what we make it and im makeing my life on my own terms and it's great.one thing she does have that i learned well is the gift god gave me !!! a gift from god!visions! i still love her no matter what .she will face everthing one day .she cant run from god!!!! that's the only thing she has no power over oh and me ofcouse lol.i think that's why she put's me on the back burner .im so glad im my own person ,i forgive ,i dont forget,and im very very smart but she doesent know that ......i just play dumb and surpize her in awwwww with my good heart .that just kill's her.evil never wins for it's the wise slow and quit one's who make it in this world ..good alway's wins and i mean good hearts,kindness,non jugdmental,open minded is not a bad thing it's what life is .kindnesss pervails over all and brings other good people together giving trust,love,honesty,will power,lust for life,friends,passions,pride ,values,and smarts! .i love her no matter what. no one is perfect ......but we can atleast break those chains and face our fears and be free ! i love you mom ,i wish it wasent like this ,you were never there for me in time's of need.i would never do that to my kid's or my ex-husband!!ever!!!!!

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  • stasha's Avatar
    Posted by stasha Mon Jun 1, 2009 10:37am PDT

    and going to your church were your brother preaches {pastor).saying he has to make up for the life he took when he was young by working for god still doesent make it right.How can your pastor brother talk about the man he accidentlly killed wile in a church session of his own? how could he go to the locale jail and preach to other inmate's when he should be there too. He took a life ????? that's another reason i stay away from her .she protects the wrong people .

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Comments 11-13 of 13

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