2. Old Arguments Never Really Disappeared
Not every family distance is caused by geography.
Sometimes, the real distance is emotional.
A disagreement from years ago may never have been properly resolved. A hurtful comment, favoritism, criticism, or a painful family event can remain in someone’s memory long after everyone else has moved on.
The parent may think, “That happened years ago.”
The adult child may still be thinking, “You never understood how much that hurt me.”
When these feelings remain unspoken, visiting can become emotionally uncomfortable.
Eventually, avoiding the situation may feel easier than confronting it.
