A mother's heart is shattered by her ex-husband's cruel treatment of their son. The pain of watching Andrew struggle to live up to his father's expectations has taken a toll on both her and her child.
The estrangement between Hank, the father, and Andrew, the son, began as a result of Hank's constant verbal confrontations with Andrew, who was never able to meet his father's high standards. This lack of support and unconditional love left Andrew feeling unworthy and unloved. The mother's attempts at therapy have not been enough to repair the damage.
Abby, the well-known columnist, suggests that individual therapy for Andrew may be necessary to help him come to terms with the emotional neglect he has suffered at his father's hands. She also advises that a licensed mental health professional might be needed to help Andrew navigate this complex and painful situation.
Meanwhile, another reader in Pakistan is seeking advice on how to explain to her sensitive 7-year-old son that not everyone can be friends without giving him the wrong impression. Abby responds by suggesting that friendships develop naturally through shared interests and exposure to various activities and individuals.
In a world where unconditional love and support are essential for emotional well-being, it's heartbreaking to see parents failing to provide these basic necessities for their children. The column highlights the importance of empathy and understanding in parenting, as well as the need for professional help when dealing with complex family issues.
The case of Andrew and his mother serves as a reminder that some wounds may take a lifetime to heal, and that therapy is often necessary to mend the emotional damage caused by parental neglect or abuse.
The estrangement between Hank, the father, and Andrew, the son, began as a result of Hank's constant verbal confrontations with Andrew, who was never able to meet his father's high standards. This lack of support and unconditional love left Andrew feeling unworthy and unloved. The mother's attempts at therapy have not been enough to repair the damage.
Abby, the well-known columnist, suggests that individual therapy for Andrew may be necessary to help him come to terms with the emotional neglect he has suffered at his father's hands. She also advises that a licensed mental health professional might be needed to help Andrew navigate this complex and painful situation.
Meanwhile, another reader in Pakistan is seeking advice on how to explain to her sensitive 7-year-old son that not everyone can be friends without giving him the wrong impression. Abby responds by suggesting that friendships develop naturally through shared interests and exposure to various activities and individuals.
In a world where unconditional love and support are essential for emotional well-being, it's heartbreaking to see parents failing to provide these basic necessities for their children. The column highlights the importance of empathy and understanding in parenting, as well as the need for professional help when dealing with complex family issues.
The case of Andrew and his mother serves as a reminder that some wounds may take a lifetime to heal, and that therapy is often necessary to mend the emotional damage caused by parental neglect or abuse.
I think individual therapy for Andrew sounds like a total waste of time. His parents should be the ones seeking help for their own issues, not him! 
They're the ones who are supposed to provide unconditional love and support, but instead they're just creating more drama and stress for everyone involved. And let's be real, how much therapy can one person take? I think Andrew needs to stop dwelling on his past and start focusing on building some actual relationships that aren't based on toxic family dynamics. Maybe he should try joining a club or group that shares his interests – that way he can meet new people who don't have a history of manipulating those around them. And yeah, explaining the concept of friendship to a 7-year-old in Pakistan might be tough, but I'm sure they'll figure it out! 
this breaks my heart to read about poor Andrew's struggles... his mom sounds like she's gone through so much too 
... can't imagine how hard it must be for her & her son to deal with Hank's toxic behavior 
... individual therapy is a great idea, but it'd be amazing if Hank would seek help 2... maybe then they could start workin on mendin that emotional damage 
... and I love Abby's advice on friendships - sometimes we just need 2 give kids space 2 figure things out themselves 
. I mean, imagine being a kid and feeling like you're just not good enough for your own parents... it's like, totally crippling 
. He needs someone who can understand what he's going through and help him process all these feelings of shame and worthlessness 
. But the thing is, parents can't fix everything on their own – sometimes we need help too 
. And I love how Abby is addressing this in a way that's both honest and compassionate 
.
. It's heartbreaking 2 see how Hank's harsh words & lack of love affected him so much 
. Maybe she can join therapy sessions with Andrew or seek support from other parents who've been through similar experiences 
. And OMG, Abby's advice on explaining friendships 2 a sensitive child is spot on 
!
.
Like what's up with this dad? Constantly trashin' his kid over some ridiculous standards is NOT LOVE 
... and yeah, individual therapy might be a good idea for Andrew too - he needs some professional help to work through his stuff.