The Atlantic

Dear Therapist: I Can’t Stand My Dad’s New Wife

I have no interest in becoming one big happy family.
Source: Bianca Bagnarelli

Editor’s Note: Every Monday, Lori Gottlieb answers questions from readers about their problems, big and small. Have a question? Email her at dear.therapist@theatlantic.com.

Dear Therapist,

After an incredibly tumultuous and unhappy marriage, my parents got divorced when I was about 23. At that point, I hadn’t had much of a relationship with either of them for about nine years. I am now in my mid-30s and have two kids. Despite the fact that I have little respect for either of my parents, I have chosen to do my best to allow them to have strong relationships with their grandchildren.

About two years after my parents got divorced, my father met and got married to the mother of the most obnoxious kid I went to high

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