Have you ever been told to “let go” of resentment over how a family member treated you? Rather than letting go I suggest accepting their limitations instead. Accepting their limitations does not mean condoning bad behavior. It means letting go of the belief that they will ever change, and the magical thinking that they will …
Read more “How accepting their limitations will set you free”
Parentification takes place when the needs of the parent come before those of the child. It results in a role reversal where the child takes on responsibilities that should belong to the parent. You may not realize you’ve been parentified because you didn’t have to cook dinner or care for younger siblings. If you had …
Read more “What is parentification and how to know if it applies”
Tara Brach is a mindfulness teacher and psychologist who says when you should on yourself, you argue with reality. The word ‘should’ shows a lack of acceptance and a disconnection with yourself. I would add that it’s mean to should on yourself. I hear so many people on the healing journey who criticize themselves for …
Feeling like you don’t belong can be linked to adverse events in childhood. If you felt forced to suppress your own needs to win the love and acceptance of your caregivers, you never felt celebrated for your authentic self. You had to play a role to maintain membership in your family, and now you believe …
When Christina Crawford wrote about her abusive mother, Joan, in Mommie Dearest, several celebrities came out in defense of the actress. Narcissistic mothers are good at presenting an image to the public that directly contradicts their behavior behind closed doors. This makes it difficult to receive support when you reach out for it. The cruelty …
Read more “How to know you have a narcissistic mother wound”