yesterday
2 hours ago
Howdy @Captain24 how you going?
@Captain24 wrote:
I don’t really know. @Jynx. It does open my eyes a little. I think the little child in me wants to believe that she does care. That she is a good mum. The little child desperately wants to see good not bad. It’s like I’m trying to justify the good for the bad
Wanna talk about this more? 😊💜
41m ago
First off @Captain24
🫂🫂
I know how much turmoil it can be to sorta.... reassess your parents. When my sister first told me that our dad was a narcissist? Shattered my whole world!!
Just on what you shared last night - it is so normal to want to find the best in our parents. It's like, so universal an experience that it's talked about in that book. We all kinda grow up thinking that our parents only really wanted the best for us, right?
And that is absolutely 100% true! Our parents did the best they could, they wanted to love us, they wanted to be good parents to us... but they just didn't know how, because their parents never taught them!
Thing is, I always used to gaslight myself... My parents always kept us fed, clothed, and safely housed... they paid for my schooling, they took us on holiday, and they told us they loved us.... so it couldn't possibly be their fault that I'm a miserable wretch, right?
Took me ages to realise what was missing from a lot of my childhood - the emotional understanding. My parents couldn't handle their own strong emotions so how on earth could they handle their kids'?
Anyway, that's my stuff, curious to hear what comes up for you when you read it tho! And if there's anything else been lingering on your mind today?
13m ago
I think my mum and my brother are narcissists. @Jynx. I’m pretty sure I’m on point.
As with everyone , I grew up thinking my parents were doing the right thing. Even though they hurt us physically and mentally, it was all I knew. Also so controlling. Even now I say stuff to my psych and she takes a breath but it’s my normal. I don’t realise it’s wrong.
I do think they tried but I don’t think mum ever wanted kids. She did tell us that numerous times. I think she only had kids as that is what was expected. I think that’s why she rejected us.
They did everything that looked good from the outside. Last time I was in hospital one of the ladies in my group said she always wished she was part of one of those families that had a routine, dinner at 5:30, a regular bed time etc. But that made me cry. That was us. But what you don’t see behind the scenes is what the consequences were for not being at the dinner table right on 5:30. What happened is you hate the dinner that was served. If you got out of bed after bedtime.
It’s only now that I realise that that wasn’t ok. The violence wasn’t ok. But I still try to look at them as good parents. They did all the stuff, roof, fed. They looked good to others.
I do wish though that they were understanding if I was crying. But mum didn’t know what to do with such a sensitive soul. I was just a sook and I still am. That’s not their fault that’s mine.
Anyway I don’t think that’s what you were looking for.
I had a huge list for today and I did most of it but I couldn’t go out and mow my lawn. I was way too scared. The fear is still really bad.
I have also had a shower and washed my hair. First shower since Saturday.
If you need urgent assistance, see Need help now
For mental health information, support, and referrals, contact SANE Support Services
SANE Forums is published by SANE with funding from the Australian Government Department of Health
SANE - ABN 92 006 533 606
PO Box 1226, Carlton VIC 3053
HelpingMinds Newsletter
Signup to our newsletter, we're helping minds connect.
Donate Today
Please show your support by donating at this page.
How We Can Help
Supporting Mental Health Issues For Families, Young People & Adults.
Get In Touch
All calls made to our Carer Centre will be directed to our metro or regional offices.
Head Office
182 Lord Street, Perth WA 6000
Phone: +61 (8) 9427 7100
Fax: +61 (8) 9427 7119
Free Phone: 1800 811 747
HelpingMinds respectfully acknowledge that we work on Aboriginal land and pay our respects to community members and elders, past and present. Individuals pictured are models and are used for illustrative purposes only.
HelpingMinds is committed to embracing diversity and eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of health services. Helping Minds welcomes all people irrespective of ethnicity, lifestyle choice, faith, sexual orientation and gender identity