Transactional Relationship Causes Estrangement . “I put them through college for goodness sakes! The least they could do is call me. I sacrificed a lot making college possible,” snaps mom! . “I didn’t realize that getting a college degree would require me to show up for every family function for the rest of my life,” retorts adult child! . Many parents are accused of being “transactional” when an adult child creates distance or cuts off a parent. . The parent feels like saying “thank you” is com

Pillemer: Family estrangement a problem ‘hiding in plain sight’ | Cornell Chronicle