I've been estranged from my family member for a while and would like to work on our relationship now. How can I do that?

I would try starting a conversation that is not face-to-face. Something like a letter explaining that you would like to try and fix your relationship. This way, the family member wont have to react right away. It gives both of you time to think about the right things to say.

Contact them. Although you haven't seen each other for a while, do things you have previously done together to bring up old memories and feelings.

Start by writing down everything you want to say to them or want them to say to you - this does not all have to happen during your first conversation but getting it out of your head and onto paper can make that first step a lot less scary or overwhelming. If you have a trustworthy friend or relative have them role-play the conversation with you. Making the first contact and having that first conversation is going to be nerve-wracking for the both of you so do as much preparation as you can beforehand. When you reach out be honest with the person but also respect them - they may not be ready to reconnect and if so let them know you will be there when they are. The road to healing your relationship might be bumpy but don't give up!

Writing a letter to them could work well for this. By writing a letter you can thoughtfully explain your reasons for wanting to reconnect, your apprehensions, and other thoughts and feelings you may have about the reconciliation. A letter will also give the other person time to process your request thoughtfully. Be honest and open in the letter describing how your wishes.

Reach out. Tell them how you are feeling. Initiate contact. Sometimes, the first step in fixing a festering wound is being the person to put themselves out there first. You won't know until you try.

I have found for me, that the best way to reconcile with someone you are estranged with is to start by apologizing for your part in the estrangement and saying what has changed now that has led you to come back to reconcile. That seems to help because you are taking responsibility for any way you contributed, even if it was small, and opens the door for the other person to do the same.

First it is important to ask yourself why you wish to rebuild a relationship, as you need to make sure you're doing it for the right reasons. Then it is about reaching out and trying to identify and get passed the issues that has led to the estranged relationship.

By having a sit down positive manner conversation, it can allow for improvement on the relationship along with further improvement on working to get to a better, safer, and healthier relationship with a family member. The best you can do is be yourself, and be open and honest about how you feel.

Well, you can definitely start by sending a letter (better than a text message) stating that you would like to work on your relationship since it has been a while and you probably *miss* that person so much and you'd like to see you both in a better state than you originally are.

Take it step by step. From small casual gestures. When you see positive response then talk about it, say that you would like to keep it up and improve the relationship. If you do not see positive response then also do talk because in that case only talking openly might change the situation to put it back to how you planned it to go