I have 2 adult children. My daughter wouldn't communicate with me for 4 years. I sent emails from time to time, no reply. Eventually she did when I wrote to tell her that I was in the beginning stages of moving across the country near where my son lives and if there was anything in the house that she wanted to let me know.

When I was growing up people were very "thoughtful" and "considerate" but a lot was also swept under the rug. Now the norm seems to be "everybody has their own life to live".

I am very sad to hear about your boyfriend's situation with his children. But as part of the "new normal" would it be possible for him to reach out to one or all of them, just because HE wants to hear their voices? I definitely understand the hurt, and so I'm not talking about any long conversations. Just a "Happy New Year" maybe now that Christmas is over?