Dear Prudence,
I haven’t spoken to my adult children in over a decade. They’re 33 and 32. Their mother and I divorced 11 years ago. I’ve remarried. Their mother hasn’t.
I saw on social media that my daughter had a son who’s 7 now. I’ve respected their need for distance and stopped reaching out six years ago after years of no replies to emails or voicemails. I’m 63 now, with a serious health issue, and I’m wondering if I should try to reach out again. I’m torn between respecting their obvious desire for silence and a hope for some kind of communication. The situation is heartbreaking, but as I get older, I’m not sure if I should try again or if it’s best to let them reach out if they want contact.