When Family Won’t Say “I’m Sorry”: Boundaries, Forgiveness, and What to Do Next

In this short, impactful episode, Clinical Psychologist and Relationship Expert Dr. Tracy Dalgleish answers one of the most common questions she hears: Should I hold out for an apology from a parent or in-law? When you share your hurt and they respond with defensiveness, justification, or minimization, it often triggers shame and escalation—leaving you feeling unseen and even more frustrated. Dr. Tracy explains why some family members simply cannot apologize due to long-standing patterns, emotional immaturity, or generational dynamics, even when they care about you. Instead of staying stuck waiting for repair that may never come, this episode helps you shift toward what you can control. You’ll learn why cutting people off isn’t always the answer, and how all-or-nothing estrangement can become another form of avoidance. You’ll leave with an understanding of forgiveness—not as excusing behavior, but as releasing the emotional hold the situation has on you and redefining the relationship on your terms. RESOURCES: Order my new book! You, Your Husband, and His Mother Want your questions answered on the show? ⁠⁠Submit them here!⁠⁠     Discover your relationship negative cycle with my free quiz: ⁠⁠Take it here⁠⁠ Ready to deepen your connection? ⁠⁠Download my 100 Questions⁠⁠ Build better connection and feel close starting today. Join the ⁠⁠30 Days to Us Challenge⁠⁠ LINKS: Calm: Save 40% off at calm.com/Tracy NativePath: Special Bundle deal at getnativepath.com/Tracy Rula: Get the support you need with rula.com/Tracy KiwiCo: Save 50% off with code TRACY KiwiCo.Com ⁠Vionic Shoes⁠: Use code TRACY for 15% off at https://www.vionicshoes.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices