Family estrangement rising as ‘Doormat Mom’ Laura Wellington shares story

While Brooklyn Beckham’s recent social media post about his bitter family feud has sparked a topic Estrangement between parent and child In the headlines, surveys indicate that this type of dispute has been on the rise for years.

One Cornell University study found that more than a quarter of Americans — nearly 67 million people — reported being separated from someone. Family member. One of them is Laura Wellington in Connecticut, known on social media as “Doormat Mom.”

While research has shown that many estrangements are gradual, Wellington described them as sudden and unexpected. After initially being involved in her daughter’s wedding plans, she was suddenly told that she would not be invited to attend.

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When Wellington responded, her daughter and fiancée blocked her from all communications in 2024, she told Fox News Digital during a recent interview.

“I was completely devastated by this,” she said. “The pain of being cut off, it’s a pain you can’t describe unless you feel it.”

Widows Mother of four She took to TikTok to share her experience.

“I just said what was on my mind, and didn’t mention my daughter specifically,” she said. “I just came out with a very heavy hand and said something: ‘Have I been a really good parent and raised a ungrateful little boy?’

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She said Wellington has been “overwhelmed” by the response from parents not only in the United States, but also in Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia and other countries. “They wanted to share their feelings, share the impact. They needed support.”

Since Wellington posted her first video in August 2024, she has built a significant following Social media They have a following of nearly 150,000 on TikTok and Instagram, including other moms in similar situations, as well as a fair share of critics.

Laura Wellington of Connecticut, known on social media as “Doormat Mom,” shared her experience with her daughter. (Laura Wellington)

Wellington said she heard from many parents who experienced deep grief, isolation and even suicidal thoughts after estrangement from their adult children.

“The parents were ashamed to talk about it,” she said. “Because they felt… that if they talked about it, if they talked about it, the first question they would ask was, ‘Well, what did you do?’

Estrangement has become a more normal way to address family tensions, even in cases where there is no abuse or neglect, according to Wellington.

“The pain of being cut off, it’s a pain you can’t describe unless you feel it.”

She blames several factors for the division, including political and cultural differences and “societal narratives that destroy families.”

“There is a lack of foundation and Traditional family values “…the loss of faith, the loss of firm principles, of education that is happening in our country. The way these things are going awry today, cutting off your parents is the first thing we turn to, not the last,” Wellington said.

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“We are at a crossroads in our nation, so what’s the point of saving a nation if you don’t have close-knit families to save it for?”

In December 2024, the weekend of her daughter’s wedding, Wellington released a self-published book titled “Doormat Mom, No More!”

“I’ve married my new life, so to speak,” she said. “It’s not my personal story anymore, it’s the story of many.”

Wellington has also heard from young people seeking reform Parental relationships.

“There are some amazing young people out there who really want answers, who want to solve their problems, who want to make the relationship,” she said.

In some cases, Wellington acknowledged, adult children have the right to end the relationship, such as in cases of abuse or neglect.

Causes and effects

Dr. Jonathan Alpert, a psychotherapist in New York City, told Fox News Digital that he sees… Estrangement between parent and child They are becoming more common, with politics often playing a role.

“I regularly work with families where distancing is driven not so much by abuse or neglect as by political identity and voting behavior,” he said. “Parents are turned off by who they voted for, the news they watch, or the opinions they express.”

“What might previously have been treated as disagreement is now framed as moral harm.”

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Albert echoed Wellington’s claim that estrangement had become more than just a knee-jerk reaction.

“Once parental beliefs are labeled ‘unsafe’ or ‘toxic,’ disengagement seems justified and necessary,” he said. “Alienation becomes a form of moral signaling rather than a last-resort response to real harm.”

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In cases where adult children are “cut off from contact,” Albert said the emotional impact can be “severe.”

“Parents often experience deep sadness, confusion and shame,” he said. “Adult children may initially feel empowered, but many later experience unresolved anger, rigidity, and emotional low tolerance that affect Other relationships also.”

She added that after initially being involved in her daughter’s wedding plans, Wellington was suddenly informed that she would not be invited to attend. (Laura Wellington)

Albert’s biggest concern, he said, is that estrangement is increasingly being presented as such Emotional health.

“In fact, emotional health often involves learning how to stay connected across differences,” he said. “When the language of therapy and political culture reward rupture over repair, families are left divided long after differences have faded.”

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Albert emphasized that there is a difference between borders and estrangement.

He said: “Boundaries are intended to allow the relationship to continue within limits, while estrangement ends the relationship completely.”

Advice for parents

For parents who are experiencing estrangement Adult childrenWellington warns against trying to force reconciliation, saying that could actually make matters worse.

“Alienation becomes a form of moral signaling rather than a last-resort response to real harm.”

“You can’t force them to be in a relationship with you,” she said. “Once you start pursuing them, you give up your independence. And if they choose to turn away from you, you have to let them go.”

“Let life teach them, and if they are destined to come back, they will come back.”

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Wellington said it’s important for parents in her situation to focus on moving forward with their own lives.

“Go ahead and create a life you are proud of, find your happiness,” she advised. “If they come back, they’ll see you as well In good and thriving condition“.

“Repair requires a shared belief that relationships can survive disagreements,” said one psychotherapist. (Istock)

Looking to the future, Wellington said she believes there is “always hope” that she and her daughter will one day reconnect.

“I hope you realize that the same woman who wants to use every ounce of her strength to keep this family going…is the same woman who created this platform to help others keep going,” she said. “And I hope she sees her mother as a strong woman.”

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Albert agrees that reconciliation is possible, but said it becomes more difficult when estrangement is reinforced through social validation, online communities or… Political identity“.

He added: “Reform requires a shared belief that relations can survive disagreement.”