Header image for the Degrees of Separation topic page

Degrees of Separation

Welcome to Degrees of Separation, the series in which we explore familial estrangement in all its forms and hear from the people going through it, for worse and for better.

MORE STORIES

Sad young man walking towards ajar door

My sister told Dad I'd bought a sex toy - and ruined everything

Channel: Families Families 3 days ago By Anonymous
stressed student during home schooling pandemic alert

My mum fostered children - and became a bad parent to me

Channel: Families Families March 31, 2025 By Anonymous
a teenage girl look in smartphone in nature

I found my brother's blog - he asked readers how to murder me

Channel: Families Families March 24, 2025 By Anonymous
Bad news

I refused to fund my stepmother's luxurious lifestyle when my dad died

Channel: Families Families March 15, 2025 By Anonymous
A grey haired woman rests her head on her wrist in despair

My family was close - then my uncle broke Nan's heart

Channel: Families Families February 26, 2025 By Anonymous
Raquel Roberts Dos Santos: My children can't see their father because I don't earn enough

My children can't see their father because I don't earn enough money

Channel: UK UK February 20, 2025 By Raquel Roberts Dos Santos
Alister Ross: Reconnecting with my brother after a decade apart has taught me the importance of being vulnerable

One trip to Poland with my brother fixed a 10-year rift

Channel: Families Families February 13, 2025 By Alister Ross
Unhappy child (4-5) hiding under a dining table

Pretending to cry was the only way to stop dad's abuse

Channel: Families Families February 6, 2025 By Audrey Middleton
Teenage girl looking out of a window in a dark, shadowy room

My dad claimed he didn't know I'd been born

Channel: Families Families December 19, 2024 By Anonymous

I'll always put my child first because my parents didn't

Channel: Families Families December 12, 2024 By Anonymous
A man sitting down leaning against a wall and covering his face with his hand

I never really knew my dad, then I got the call he died

Channel: Lifestyle Lifestyle December 5, 2024 By Sean Allen-Moy
Interracial couple holding hands on the bed.

My mum left me too terrified to become a parent

Channel: Families Families November 28, 2024 By Anonymous
A woman with curly hair has her head in her arms, which are rested on a bed - she looks worried

My sister-in-law blames me for my brother's death

Channel: Families Families November 20, 2024 By Anonymous
problematic skin

I tried to take my own life - mum thought it was because I'd had sex

Channel: Families Families November 14, 2024 By Anonymous

I told Mum her husband had abused me - she said sorry and stayed with him

Channel: Families Families November 6, 2024 By Anonymous
Black and white photo of Lindsey and her mother when Lindsey was younger (Picture: Lindsey Glass)

I misheard my mum's simple request and cut her out my life

Channel: Families Families October 31, 2024 By Lindsey Glass

Mum snooped through Dad's phone and immediately turned on me

Channel: Families Families October 23, 2024 By Anonymous
Woman with her hands over her face, distant outline of another person in the background (Picture: Getty)

My daughter's manners upset my dad - so he cut me out of his life

Channel: Families Families October 16, 2024 By Anonymous
Sheena Sharma: My son started asking about my estranged family, so I've written a book

I needed mum's help with my son - but I'll never reach out to her

Channel: Families Families October 10, 2024 By Sheena Sharma

Mum told me about her sex life and the men she cheated on Dad with

Channel: Families Families October 3, 2024 By Anonymous