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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle

Should I cut my father out of my life?

‘He demands I uninvite my mother’s relatives – should I use this as an excuse to cut him out of my life?’ (Posed by models.)
‘He demands I uninvite my mother’s relatives – should I use this as an excuse to cut him out of my life?’ (Posed by model.) Photograph: Alamy

I am 29, and have always had a very difficult relationship with my father, who I suspect has narcissistic personality disorder. He is very controlling, and often contradictory and irrational in his actions and demands. I usually try to accommodate it, but in the past few years it has been getting worse; I dread each interaction with him. I am getting married in four months, and my father has declared he will not attend the wedding if my mother’s relatives are present. My mum left him, and he has decided to project his anger on to her family. He demands I uninvite them and does not understand why I am upset. Of course I will do no such thing, but wonder if I should use this as an excuse to cut him out of my life?

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