Forget Them Kids

Challenging the One-Sided Narrative of the Estrangement Epidemic and the Biased Therapy Trends That Fuel it

By: Vivian King

Narrated by: Valerie Gilbert

Are you a parent who’s been cut off, ghosted, or vilified by your adult child—and left wondering what went wrong?

You’re not alone. And you are not the villain.

In today’s culture of pop psychology, social media echo chambers, and therapy-speak gone rogue, more parents than ever are facing the heartbreak of family estrangement—often without warning or explanation.

Forget Them Kids: Challenging the One-Sided Narrative of the Estrangement Epidemic and the Biased Therapy Trends That Fuel It is a bold, research-based, and unapologetically honest guide for parents who are tired of walking on eggshells, drowning in shame, and being silenced by toxic narratives.

Written by Vivian King, PhD, a researcher, mother, and estranged parent herself, this powerful book offers both personal insight and cultural analysis to explore:

• The weaponized language and predictable scripts used to justify parental cut-off
• The rise of therapist-approved estrangement and how it fractures families
• Why “no-contact” is the new cancel culture and is often more about control than healing
• How modern therapy culture demonizes parents
• How therapy culture is twisting normal parenting into something ‘abusive’—and giving adult children permission to treat their parents with shocking cruelty

You won’t find false hope or soft-pedaling here. Instead, you’ll find truth, clarity, and the tools to stop begging for scraps of connection—and start living your life.

This isn’t a book about reconciliation.

It’s a book about you.
Your peace. Your power. Your future.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2025 Vivian King (P)2025 Vivian King

It's what was needed to move forward

This was recommended by Dr Joshua Coleman, whom I have read his books, done his webinars and listened to numerous times now for a couple years and he has great solid advice. While I have gained a better understanding as to why I'm in this estrangement with my son from him and other authors, I gained so much from this book about how to move on now with my life without having the guilt of doing so. A must read for those still in estrangement with their child/ren.

Good info

Good encouragement to find yourself. The Narrator emphasis was superficial and hurtful at times but the content was helpful.

All of it meant so much-thank you!

I liked the real life concepts and how to proceed! I dislike that I needed to read this at all but I appreciate that I had this resource!

Good common sense

I’ve read several books on estrangement and this one is very good with plenty of citations of studies. I did not enjoy the narration. It was overly dramatic and often sounded as though she was reading to a child and sometimes sounded sarcastic.

Great book, but Don’t buy audio version

The book is very helpful for anyone going through estrangement. It relies a lot on studies and research to give back up for statements. It gives tips on how to move on and even a chapter on elder abuse. Well written, but the reader on audible was horrible. Snarky and almost demeaning in places. When she quoted grandma’s she suddenly got this old shaky voice. Really really annoying to listen to.

Experience-changing

I knew that there has been similar verbiage my son was saying as my other friend experiencing estrangement with her children. I knew there must be someone they are following but had no idea it was so pervasive. It is the destruction of our families. I hope and pray each person who needs this book, as devastating as it is to be in it, finds some solace knowing how many of us are in the same boat with them. The isolation has been profound and Dr. King’s research and observations show why this is happening.

I felt understand finally!

this book is really helpful for parents that have been cut out of their kids lives. I would recommend this book.

Great information

Very helpful in understanding the mindset of cjildren who act so hurtful. Highly recommend. All estranged patents should lusten to this. It helps.

Finally Some Relief From Estrangement

This is such a great book, don’t let the title throw you off. I have read so much on the subject. The pain of estrangement for no reason is like a death without a grave. The author gives research, facts as to the parental alienation epidemic. Very empowering, actual steps to take to get on with your beautiful life. I wish I read this years ago, but better late than never. My only criticism would be the reader, I swear at the beginning she sounds like she is mocking the author’s words, like deep down she alienated her own mother but is now forced to read the book but is not “buying it”. You get used to her bizarre cadence and then the book is great, try to just listen to the words and information, I think it’s a great book!