Are you dating a real-life Mr. Big? These signs can tell you if you’ve fallen for an emotionally unavailable man, and what to do about it. Carrie and Mr. Big… Although it’s been 10 years since the finale of Sex and the City, the central relationship of my favorite HBO series still puzzles me. Was it […]
Relationships
7 Signs You’re In a Toxic Trauma Bond Relationship
A trauma bond is a toxic relationship that is forged out of pain, abuse, and codependency. It’s often a romantic relationship, but it can also be a relationship with a parent, sibling, or even a friend. Similar to Stockholm Syndrome when captives become emotionally attached to their captors, people in abusive relationships become attached (or […]
How to Deal With Guilt-Tripping From a Manipulative Parent
Is your manipulative parent guilt-tripping you? You’re not alone. Inducing guilt, or “guilt-tripping” is a common tactic used by manipulative people everywhere. But just because it’s common doesn’t mean it’s harmless. In fact, over time guilt can seriously erode your mental and physical health. Yet manipulative parents are oblivious to the harm they cause. To […]
Moving Away From Family: How to Handle the Guilt Trips
Are you moving away from family and can’t handle the guilt? Are your parents going out of their way to make you feel like you’re the worst person on earth? I know your pain. My husband and I are planning to move to another state. We’ve lived in California most of our lives, and we […]
Toxic Parenting: 9 Ways to Avoid Repeating Your Parent’s Mistakes
Toxic parenting leaves deep scars on a child’s psyche. But what we often don’t realize is that it also gives the child a faulty blueprint for raising their own children. So how do we avoid repeating our parents’ terrible mistakes? First, we need to understand the full impact of toxic parenting. The Effects of Toxic […]
Family Estrangement: How to Move on From Cutting Toxic Ties
Family estrangement is shameful. You have to stick with your family no matter what. Blood is thicker than water. Those are the typical things people say (or think) when they hear about cutting ties with a close relative. But estrangement from a family member is surprisingly common, and it’s becoming less of a taboo discussion […]