DEAR ABBY: Three years ago, our 40-year-old daughter, “Tanya,” suddenly accused me of abusing her during her childhood. She also accused my husband, her dad, of enabling this abuse. Abby, the abuse never happened!
Could some therapist have planted these ideas in her head? Tanya has problems with alcohol (which she blames on me) and has been divorced from two wonderful men who she claims also abused her. She can’t maintain friendships with women because as soon as they do something that makes Tanya mad, she cuts them off.
Our other daughter, “Nadia,” is three years younger. She doesn’t have an alcohol problem and has a great husband and a toddler. Tanya has cut her off as well and has never met her brother-in-law or nephew. Nadia says her childhood was idyllic. Neither child lives near us.
My husband is living with incurable cancer, which Tanya knew before she excommunicated us. I don’t know if I should inform her when her father dies, or let her find out through others on Facebook. My husband and I and Nadia don’t use Facebook, but relatives do, and I am sure they will make it known.
I am torn about this. Tanya has hurt all of us repeatedly for so many years that we all agree that life is more pleasant without her around us. However, I’m afraid not telling her will cause more problems. Advice? — DAMNED BOTH WAYS IN ILLINOIS