I thought I would bring this thread back rather start a new one.

I told my family I wouldn't have any more contact with my father, the relationship was toxic, anybody who knows him understands it. The best way to describe how I feel about him is that he steals happiness and the only reason I stick around was out of guilt.

I've never told him about friends of mine, girlfriends, my plans for the future, anything good that's happening, he finds a way to turn it into how terrible his life is. I don't want that anymore, I want a family and healthy relationships to be possible!

First step, thanks to the people who responded, this board is a great support, even for a lurker like me