# Mother's Silent Move

> A mother's sudden estrangement from her children leads to a search for answers in online groups of estranged parents.
- Title: Mother's Silent Move · Slate Magazine | Shortify
- Summary: A mother's sudden estrangement from her children leads to a search for answers in online groups of estranged parents. A mother's abrupt silence after a minor…
- Keywords: mother, estranged children, facebook groups, parent-child relationship, family estrangement, social media, mental health, Mother's, Silent, Move, Slate Magazine
- Source: Slate Magazine — https://slate.com/life/2026/10/family-estrangement-parent-child-facebook-groups.html?via=rss
- Author: Christina Wyman
- Published: 2026-10-12T14:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: mother, estranged children, facebook groups, parent-child relationship, family estrangement, social media, mental health
## Mother's home listed for sale
My mother's ranch home in suburban New Jersey appeared on Zillow for sale after five years in Brooklyn.
## Silent move
My mother stopped talking to us without explanation, selling our gifts and childhood memorabilia on Facebook Marketplace.
## Estranged parent groups
A stranger on Facebook contacted my sister about my mother's posts in a group for estranged parents.
## Group discussions
Estranged parents shared posts about abandoning children, legal battles, and blaming therapists for family breakdowns.
## Mother's posts
My mother posted nostalgic photos of grandchildren and expressed hope for post-grandmotherhood life without mentioning me.
## Why she left
After a minor argument where I needed emotional support, my mother's eight-year silence confirmed she wanted nothing to do with me.
## No answers
My mother's silence and the online groups' lack of accountability left us with no clear path to reconciliation.
## Family trauma
My mother's past deception about a cat led to years of emotional pain before therapy became an option.
## Online community
Estranged children and parents find solace in Facebook groups despite mutual blame and unmet needs.
## Shared trauma
We both believe we've done all we can to salvage the relationship, leaving only mutual trauma as a common ground.
## Key takeaway

A mother's abrupt silence after a minor argument with her children led her to sell family belongings online, while estranged children found community in Facebook groups discussing similar family breakdowns.