DEAR HARRIETTE: My 13-year-old daughter has recently started refusing to attend family gatherings like birthday parties or Sunday dinners at my parents’ house. She says they’re “boring, fake and a waste of time.”

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I understand that she’s a teenager and trying to find her own identity, but it’s really starting to hurt my parents’ feelings. They miss her and have mentioned that they feel like she doesn’t care about spending time with them anymore.

I’ve tried explaining to my daughter how important family is and how these events aren’t just about fun, they’re about staying connected to those who matter to us. She just shuts down or rolls her eyes.

I don’t want to force her to come and make things even more awkward, but I also don’t want to let her completely disconnect fro

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