RELATIONSHIP THESAURUS

ESTRANGED PARENT AND CHILD



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HELPFUL TIP:

Relationships are part of the very fabric of your character’s life. How well or poorly they get along with others oftentimes comes down to personality, so carefully consider the positive traits and negative traits of your story’s cast. Another factor that can pull characters together or create friction is motivation, so keep each individual’s goal—both at the scene and story level—in mind as you write.
DESCRIPTION:
Many factors can contribute to an estrangement situation. What led to the breakdown in communication? Was there abuse, neglect, or toxic behavior patterns? Was the choice one-sided or mutual? Was the estranged parent or child coerced by someone else into ending the relationship? The separation of a parent and child is often a devastating scenario, creating emotional wounds and resulting dysfunctional behaviors that will influence their other relationships.

RELATIONSHIP DYNAMICS:
Below are a wide range of dynamics that may accompany this relationship. Use the ideas that suit your story and work best for your characters to bring about and/or resolve the necessary conflict. 

The parties not wanting to interact but putting on a civil front for others
One character avoiding gatherings where the other may be present
The characters attending family gatherings and events but pretending each other isn't there
One person trying to reconcile but being rebuffed by the other party
The estrangement being defined by anger, rage, jealousy, or bitterness
The estrangement arising reluctantly out of one party's need to protect themselves or set healthy boundaries
Other family members being unable to connect with or even speak about the estranged party
Either party running the other down with family members to get them on their own side
One person blaming the other party, believing they're solely to blame for the estrangement
The parties attempting multiple times to reconcile without success
Either party (or both) wanting to reconcile but being convinced by others not to try

CHALLENGES THAT COULD THREATEN THE STATUS QUO:
The parent or child becoming ill
The death of a mutual loved one
The parent or child experiencing a major life change, such as marriage or childbirth
One person losing financial stability and needing support
Either party needing to forgive as part of a faith-based culture, therapy program, or rehabilitative program
An estranged sibling reconciling with the parent
One party deciding to seek forgiveness
The offended party recognizing their share of the blame, and needing to make amends
The child's son or daughter becoming interested in the estranged grandparent
Learning information that discredits the reasons for the estrangement

WOUNDS THAT COULD FACTOR INTO THE RELATIONSHIP:
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POSSIBLE CONFLICT SCENARIOS:
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CONFLICTING DESIRES THAT CAN IMPAIR THE RELATIONSHIP:
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CLASHING PERSONALITY TRAIT COMBINATIONS:
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NEGATIVE OUTCOMES OF FRICTION:
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FICTIONAL SCENARIOS THAT COULD TURN THESE CHARACTERS INTO ALLIES:
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WAYS THIS RELATIONSHIP MAY LEAD TO POSITIVE GROWTH:
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THEMES AND SYMBOLS THAT CAN BE EXPLORED THROUGH THIS RELATIONSHIP:
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