Carolyn Hax: It took a disaster for ER nurse’s dad to check in — is that a good thing?

You've worked as an emergency room nurse during the pandemic. Your previously out-of-touch dad now constantly calls to see how you are. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Sign up for this newsletter Read online Advice to help you tackle life's problems.     (Nick Galifianakis for The Post) It took a disaster for ER nurse's dad to check in — is that a good thing? Adapted from an online discussion. Dear Carolyn: I am an emergency room nurse, so of course I've worked through this pandemic situation. I live in a large city so it was pretty crazy. My father, who lives a couple of states away, started contacting me often, saying how worried he was and that he loves me. I do not know what to make of this. I even checked at first to make sure it was really him. Since my parents divorced when I was 15, he's never had time for me. His life has been wrapped up with his job and the woman he left my mother for. He never visits me and rarely arranges his life so that I can visit him. Is this what it takes for him to notice me? I'm afraid he'll just disappear on me once things go back to "normal." I almost resent the fact that I have to constantly reassure him that I'm okay and that I love him, too. I don't need this emotional wham on top of everything else I'm dealing with. What should I do? — Is This What It Takes? Read Carolyn's Response     ADVERTISEMENT   Want more? Carolyn's been writing her advice column for two decades. Explore the archives below. The hurt of being erased from family history Read more »   Wanting to break free from defensive and controlling roommate Read more »   When relatives act like turkeys, it's okay to skip out on family Thanksgiving Read more »     We think you'll like this newsletter Check out Lean & Fit for expert advice on how to eat right, get lean and stay fit, including curated healthy recipes every Wednesday. Sign up »

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