If you have a history of abuse from one or both of your parents, you might have wondered at some point: should I forgive them? It’s hard to live your life with those emotional scars. You’ve probably struggled with feelings of unworthiness, low self-esteem, depression, resentment, anger, and maybe even rage. You’ve indulged in self-medication. […]
Family Ties
6 Types of Parents Who Don’t Love Their Children
We all assume parental love is a given, but that’s a myth. Parents who don’t love their children are more common than we think. If you grew up with one of those parents, you went through unimaginable pain. Every child has a vital need for a genuine, loving connection with the parents (especially the mother). […]
How to Deal With a Difficult Parent: 7 Strategies to Keep Your Sanity
Do you have to deal with a difficult parent that robs you of your sanity? It could be your biological parent, a stepparent, or, perhaps, a toxic in-law, but the effect they have on you is the same: hurt, confusion, disappointment, anger, and desire to withdraw. This article will discuss how to deal with difficult […]
10 Ways a Narcissistic Grandmother Can Harm Your Children
In fairy tales, a grandmother is a warm and fuzzy creature that acts as a mentor to the young protagonist. She is a silver-haired benefactress full of wisdom and kindness (think: fairy godmother). But what if your kids’ grandmother is more like the witch from “Hansel and Gretel?” You might be dealing with a “difficult” […]
20 Heartbreaking Signs of a Manipulative Mother
Manipulators come in all shapes and sizes. However, there is something particularly painful and twisted about a manipulative mother. A mother-child bond is sacred. For many of us, motherly love is the only truly unconditional, pure love we will ever experience. So when you have a mother who is manipulative, withholding, and cruel, it flips […]
How Writing About My Toxic Mother-in-Law Changed My Life
I’ve been happily married for 10 years. But the word “happily” in that sentence should have an asterisk next to it: happily* (while dealing with a toxic mother-in-law). It hasn’t been a walk in the park. My relationship with my mother-in-law is a “cold war” relationship: one that’s filled with tension, animosity, and a sense […]