Dear Prudence: I sent my stepmother a simple, boundary-setting text. I was not prepared for the bomb she dropped in return.

Dear Prudence is Slate’s advice column. Submit questions here .

Dear Prudence,

After 40-plus years, I have decided I no longer want my step-mother in my life in any way. Some background: For the past few years there has been a TON of parentification going on where I felt like her therapist. Family issues, marital issues (with my father) all were discussed at length no matter how hard I tried to disengage or change the subject. I said nothing, knowing my parents’ proclivity for losing it on their children over minor perceived missteps.

Well, last year I cracked. They did something I considered cruel, and I called them out on it. While my text was harsh, it was fair, on point, and simple: I don’t like this behavior, don’t include me in it again. To say I started World War III is