Kids Ignore His Warnings, Now He’s Ready To Retire And Cut Them Off

Parents often spend decades building stability for their children, sometimes at the cost of their own happiness. But what happens when that effort feels unappreciated or taken for granted? At what point does stepping back become self-preservation instead of abandonment?

One man, worn down by a volatile marriage and a draining divorce, is contemplating a drastic life change. An offer to sell his share of a business and move into a completely different lifestyle suddenly feels like a lifeline.

The decision, however, would mean cutting off financial support for his adult children just as they struggle to figure out their next steps. Is this a selfish escape or a long overdue reset? Keep reading to decide.

A father nearing emotional burnout considers leaving everything behind after his ex-wife empties their kids’ college funds

Long-term parental conflict does not simply disappear when children turn eighteen. Research published in the Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma highlights how high-conflict divorce environments can significantly affect children’s psychological well-being.

The study found that frequent, hostile conflict between parents is strongly associated with trauma-related symptoms in children, including anxiety, emotional dysregulation, and stress responses that mirror post-traumatic stress.

In fact, researchers observed that children exposed to persistent parental conflict showed markedly higher risks of trauma-like symptoms compared to those in lower-conflict households.

One important takeaway from the study is that it did not matter who reported the conflict, whether it was the mother, father, or child. The emotional toll remained significant across perspectives. This suggests that the atmosphere of tension itself plays a central role in shaping long-term emotional health.

Even when children reach adulthood, the psychological patterns formed in high-conflict homes can influence how they handle stress, confrontation, and independence. Struggles with motivation or avoidance of legal and financial disputes may sometimes reflect deeper emotional conditioning rather than simple irresponsibility.

At the same time, parental stress can also escalate in high-conflict family systems. A large-scale study published in Scientific Reports examined parental burnout and found strong links between chronic caregiving stress and harmful family dynamics.

The researchers identified parental burnout as a significant predictor of emotional disengagement, neglect, and increased family conflict. Burnout in this context is defined not just as fatigue, but as emotional exhaustion, a reduced sense of effectiveness as a parent, and psychological distancing from children.

The study further noted that when burnout combines with certain personality vulnerabilities, family relationships can deteriorate more rapidly. Chronic stress within the caregiving role may impair decision-making, patience, and emotional availability.

Over time, this erosion of emotional responsiveness can create a cycle in which children feel unsupported while parents feel overwhelmed and resentful.

Taken together, these findings suggest that prolonged exposure to conflict and parental burnout can leave lasting marks on family systems. Adult children emerging from high-stress households may struggle with independence and complex life decisions, while parents experiencing burnout may feel tempted to disengage entirely.

Understanding these psychological dynamics does not excuse harmful behavior, but it provides critical context for why family conflicts often persist long after childhood has technically ended.

Here’s what people had to say to OP:

These commenters warned him that leaving would permanently damage his relationship with his kids

These commenters backed him, saying he warned them and they’re adults now

These commenters slammed him, saying he’s abandoning abused kids and dodging responsibility

This commenter said ESH and urged him to legally protect his kids’ stolen funds first

This commenter questioned his empathy and asked if he cares at all

This commenter advised burnout recovery and one final structured parenting effort

This commenter doubted the story and said mom should face legal consequences

This commenter mocked the situation, framing it as selfish abandonment

This commenter questioned if he already decided and warned about future impact

This story isn’t really about ski patrol. It’s about what happens when exhaustion meets unresolved family trauma. He feels used. The kids feel abandoned. The mother’s actions detonated the financial safety net. Everyone’s hurt, and no one’s handling it well.

Is walking away an act of self-preservation or quiet resignation? Should adult children shoulder the legal fight against a parent, or does fatherhood extend beyond legal obligations?

Do you think his mountain escape would be justified, or would it freeze his relationship with his kids for good? Share your hot takes below.