I don't agree with Dennis Prager on this one. Yes, if the rift is truly due to politics... okay; but...

My husband's parents have a narcissistic family system that was passive aggressively abusive to him (the scapegoat) and me (the person always saying something is REALLY off here or, "who does this kind of crap?").... laced with enough surface positives and manipulation to confuse the hell out of anyone. The issues I helped him through, many as a result of their parenting, were countless... I'm talking deep psychological and spiritual stuff. We and they are Christians, but I am telling you I could write a book on their Cleavers-on-the-outside/psycho on the inside family.

Add to that the fact that many 80's moms worked and broke the bond (negatively renamed attachment) early .... then usually completely emotionally neglected or sometimes abused their children, and I have little to no sympathy for parents who act like they are the victims in broken relationships. Rarely do I hear of this happening to parents who were healthy, and loved and nurtured their kids well. You should not need to use guilt, obligation, or religious manipulation, as Prager seems to be doing with this very article, for your kids to want to spend time with you. If you are relying on that, instead you need to take a long look in the mirror. Most parents have no idea how much they sucked and how much they neglected their kids.

Add narcissism and you get parents asking these kind of questions centered around THEM and THEIR needs. Wait, who is the adult? And what does it mean to GIVE love expecting nothing in return? Are you able to truly listen and humbly take responsibility for your issues or do you give a trite "get out of jail free/ let's not get emotionally awkward, my ego will divert it back on you" apology followed by excuses and countermeasures?

Yes, forgiveness is necessary, but when the other party (parents in this case) never truly acknowledges their offenses, repents, and changes their ways.... a continued relationship is not wise or healthy. Holding adults accountable for their part in relationships is not what "parents" want to hear. For many, their world centers around them. They can't process something different than their martyr narrative.

I spent almost three decades dealing with this b.s. i only wish I had "divorced" my in-laws many years ago. My life and marriage would have been better and so would my husband's. Sometimes the only way to honor a parent in sincerity is to not be subjected to their harm. Then you can do it vaguely, generally, and from afar.

TLDR: Be a truly good parent and you usually won't have to guilt trip your kids to like you. Reference: my psycho in-laws.