Brothers, Sisters, Strangers Blog

Brothers, Sisters, Strangers
Brothers, Sisters, Strangers

Welcome to my new blog! Here, you can freely discuss your challenges with sibling relationships. If you would like, I will not use your name to protect your privacy.

My interest in this topic is rooted in my personal story; my older brother and I didn't talk to each other for most of my adult life. Over time, we did reconcile, and I captured that journey in my book, Brothers, Sisters, Strangers: Sibling Estrangement and the Road to Reconciliation.

For years, I've wondered about the nature of sibling relationships and, in particular, when and how they break down, cut off, or enter the territory of estrangement. How do sibling estrangement and reconciliation define an individual?

Here, I hope to give others the opportunity to explore this underacknowledged topic, which many experts call "epidemic." Like me, you may find it helpful to think through these issues; writing a post for this blog may provide a useful structure to begin to do so. Writing is therapeutic and capturing stories in words benefits both the writer and the reader. In fact, I have created a writing workbook, The Sibling Estrangement Journal: A Guided Exploration of Your Experience through Writing, offering you a private, emotional outlet to understand and process the grief of sibling estrangement.

Here is the link to the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRank

For those who are seeking personal life coaching, I offer private sessions to discuss estrangement, reconciliation, and family relations. Please email me at fernschumer@gmail.com to discuss details. Thanks for participating and posting.

How Photos and Social Media Posts Wound Distanced Family Members

What to do with old photos and social media accounts when there's no contact. https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/brothers-sisters-strangers/202306/how-photos-and-social-media-posts-wound-distanced-family?fbclid=IwAR2X6XEB653TchDCm_fA-9Vwrp4Liu-S5ShjBbsATvV1Yzkj0gSMWNZHZXo

Choosing No Contact With a Toxic Family Member?

Going no contact is a decisive step taken to end physical, psychological, or emotional suffering at the hands of an abusive sibling or other family member. As a tactic to protect oneself from continual hurt, it is generally the last resort. Photo credit: Alex Green/Pexels  

A Hidden Cause of Troubled Family Relationships

Researchers have identified many root causes of estrangement, but undiagnosed autism is not on that list. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brothers-sisters-strangers/202305/a-hidden-cause-of-troubled-family-relationships

Therapist Praises Brothers, Sisters, Strangers

Therapist Whitney Goodman praises Brothers, Sisters, Strangers on Tik Tok, and identifies her favorite quote from the book. https://www.tiktok.com/@whitneygoodmanlmft/video/7228216188944567598

Choosing Between Authenticity and Attachment

Many abandon their true selves to hold onto relationships, even toxic ones.   https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brothers-sisters-strangers/202305/choosing-between-authenticity-and-attachment

Grieving the Death of an Estranged Family Member

The illness or death of an estranged family member can present one of the most vexing moments for those cut off from that person and/or others in the family. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brothers-sisters-strangers/202304/grieving-the-death-of-an-estranged-family-member?error_code=1349037&error_message=User+opted+out+of+platform%3A+The+action+attempted+is+disallowed%2C+because+the+user+has+opted+out+of+Facebook+platform.#_=_

THE SIBLING ESTRANGEMENT JOURNAL gets a new look!

A guide to exploring your troubled sibling relationship through writing. Link to order: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRank  

Author now offers one-on-one estrangement coaching

I have worked with many clients as they navigate the range of emotions of sibling estrangement – from anger to sadness to rumination. Often, those who are shunned are struggling with ongoing grief, as they mourn the living. I offer private, one-on-one sessions to discuss estrangement, reconciliation, and family relations in general. I draw upon my research for the books I’ve written on this topic, as well as my lived experience ...

Amazon is offering Brothers, Sisters, Strangers for $18.99 right now!

Amazon is offering BROTHERS, SISTERS, STRANGERS at a 32% discount right now. The hardcover is only $18.99 -- $9 off the regular price.     https://www.amazon.com/Brothers-Sisters-Strangers-Estrangement-Reconciliation/dp/0525561692/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=tYeS5&content-id=amzn1.sym.bc5f3394-3b4c-4031-8ac0-18107ac75816&pf_rd_p=bc5f3394-3b4c-4031-8ac0-18107ac75816&pf_rd_r=G74GB0FRCEPN6S45C1EP&pd_rd_wg=CWv9l&pd_rd_r=4cc3a036-cfdf-430f-b98b-85ae5588cef6&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_atf_m

Sibling Connections in Childhood Define Adult Relationships

  “The influence brothers and sisters have on each other’s lives goes far beyond their own interactions,” Dr. Lewis writes. “Understanding the quality and emotional tone of the childhood relationship provides a rich source of information about and explanations for who siblings are today.” https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/brothers-sisters-strangers/202303/sibling-connections-in-childhood-can-define-adult

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