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

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]