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Struggling with my 29 year old daughter's breakup

(15 Posts)
BrokenheartedMum Sun 12-Jul-26 11:15:00

My 29-year-old daughter is going through an uncertain and painful breakup after having spent almost all her adult life in relationships. She seems to be functioning, seeing friends (not a large group) and receiving support, but I have become consumed by anxiety about whether her boyfriend will return and whether she will ever find another suitable partner and have the family she wants. I realise that my rumination is becoming a problem for me. How did other mothers support their adult daughters without becoming overwhelmed themselves?

Gran22boys Sun 12-Jul-26 11:22:40

I have had similar for years and years. My DD is now in her 40s and has had one disastrous relationship after another. I have experienced such stress over the years because of it but now have old age issues to contend with and think she must sort herself out. I listen and say the right things but I’m not sure anything will ever change. My advice is to lend an ear but never interfere.

BrokenheartedMum Sun 12-Jul-26 11:41:19

Gran22boys

I have had similar for years and years. My DD is now in her 40s and has had one disastrous relationship after another. I have experienced such stress over the years because of it but now have old age issues to contend with and think she must sort herself out. I listen and say the right things but I’m not sure anything will ever change. My advice is to lend an ear but never interfere.

Thanks for reaching out. She's my only child and that makes things harder :-( I was a single mom for a long time, now I have a very supportive husband who also loves my daughter a lot. How is your daughter coping with all that?

Luckygirl3 Sun 12-Jul-26 12:11:13

Lend an ear and never interfere is very sound advice indeed!

I know that it is hard for us to let go of our adult children and let them make their own mistakes, but in the end it has to be done.

She knows uou are there to turn to when needed. That is all you can offer.

Please try not to let tjis worry interfere with you enjoying your life.

MissAdventure Sun 12-Jul-26 12:14:42

I think you need to find a way to stop focusing on your daughter's break up.
It's a normal fact of life, so distract yourself from obsessing over it.

She has friends to support her and sounds to be coping ok.

Gran22boys Sun 12-Jul-26 18:18:15

Another thing I will say is that I have worried so much over the years about my DD’s various relationships. But most of my worrying has been a waste of my time as the relationships have ended and another one starts. Just be there for her.

Ilovecheese Sun 12-Jul-26 18:24:07

I was heartbroken for my daughter. I didn't critisice the ** in front of her though. ( and hid the wax effigies)
It was a good job I didn't because they have now been back together for over 15 years.

Cossy Sun 12-Jul-26 18:35:16

Ilovecheese

I was heartbroken for my daughter. I didn't critisice the ** in front of her though. ( and hid the wax effigies)
It was a good job I didn't because they have now been back together for over 15 years.

🤣🤣🤣

Cossy Sun 12-Jul-26 18:36:25

I ditto everyone else. Be there, lend a sympathetic ear, and a shoulder but just keep as quiet as you can flowers

Luckygirl3 Sun 12-Jul-26 19:02:58

Ilovecheese

I was heartbroken for my daughter. I didn't critisice the ** in front of her though. ( and hid the wax effigies)
It was a good job I didn't because they have now been back together for over 15 years.

This was at the back of my mind when one of my DDs was having a bit of a blip in her relationship. I knew that if I took sides it might come back to bite me. They are still together 25 years later and, although things are not perfect (whose relationship is?), we are all on good terms and I see my GC ... something that could have been at risk if I had not been treading very carefully!

V3ra Sun 12-Jul-26 19:24:04

Your daughter is certainly not too old to meet someone she would want to have a family with.
My daughter didn't meet her partner until her early 30s. They have two children together and a very settled family life.

Your daughter sounds like she has a good support network of friends BrokenheartedMum.

Is your anxiety in case your daughter's boyfriend does come back, or in case he doesn't?
Either way it's all out of your hands so do try not to let it consume you. 💐

Wheniwasyourage Sun 12-Jul-26 22:07:37

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BrokenheartedMum Mon 13-Jul-26 10:49:04

V3ra

Your daughter is certainly not too old to meet someone she would want to have a family with.
My daughter didn't meet her partner until her early 30s. They have two children together and a very settled family life.

Your daughter sounds like she has a good support network of friends BrokenheartedMum.

Is your anxiety in case your daughter's boyfriend does come back, or in case he doesn't?
Either way it's all out of your hands so do try not to let it consume you. 💐

My anxiety is currently revolving around the situation in which the boyfriend doesn't come back.

He is apparently processing some of his heavy issues - at least that's what he said and she does believe he is being honest.

So my anxiety is about her life in the future without him, as I know she is a person who values relationships highly and I am not sure how she will cope alone. And she really does want children someday (no like may today's modern women who claim they don't want children).

silverlining48 Mon 13-Jul-26 10:59:24

Three daughters of Friends of ours had their first babies at 40 41 and 43. Plenty of time for your daughter.
If you are a worrier it will be hard but do your best not to get over involved. It doesn’t help you or her.

Erica23 Mon 13-Jul-26 12:17:28

I can understand your worries, but your daughter is still young. I found with my two, once they found the right person things moved fast, they were both married and expecting babies within no time at all.
Please try not to worry, these things usually work out for the best.