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Struggling with my 29 year old daughter's breakup

(12 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

The advice about not getting too involved seems good to me. Our DD was left by her partner and has been bringing up their two DC alone (although to be fair, their father does contribute financially to some extent). We have tried not to say anthing we might regret, particularly in fornt of the DGC, as they still do see their father. We have supported our DD as much as we can though. Whether she will ever find (or want to find) another partner is doubtful, but it's up to her and we can't help with that.
Best wishes to you and your DD flowers