I (F20) have always had a distant relationship with my father (M59), both emotionally and physically, since he lives in another country. This never really bothered me, until other people started getting involved and giving their opinions.
My sister (F27) says I should make more of an effort to contact him, the way she does. She told me that he told her that he wants to talk to me and have more contact, and that left me confused. From my perspective, I don’t reach out because he’s living his life and I don’t really have much to talk about. If he wants to talk to me, why doesn’t he just reach out himself?
My family keeps saying I’m cold and distant and that I should try harder to maintain a relationship. But why would I, if it’s always been this way and it doesn’t bother me? It’s not like we don’t talk at all or that we’re on bad terms, we’re just not very warm or emotionally expressive. We see each other from time to time and that’s fine by me, but my family keeps pressuring me because while my sister is very emotionally expressive and clearly shows how much she misses him, I’m the opposite.
So, AITA for not seeking much contact with my father?
NAH.
> my sister is very emotionally expressive and clearly shows how much she misses him, I’m the opposite.
Lets leave it at that.
NTA – it takes 2 to tango. He is the adult, it’s his responsibility to reach out to you.
You are who you are.
I have a husband that is not very talkative. And it’s ok. The issue is I have 2 kids one very expressive and the other not.
Well guess what? Whenever he needs advice he calls my husband and they discuss. For me it’s ok as long as everything is ok.
Be yourself!!!