9 Signs You Have a Toxic Mother, According to Therapists
Here’s a summary of this article I contributed to. Read the full article on BestLIfe.
Definition of a Toxic Mother: A toxic mother prioritizes her own needs over her child's, leading to emotional and psychological harm.
Impact on Children: Toxic mothers can cause low self-esteem, chronic anxiety, depression, and identity confusion in their children.
Signs of a Toxic Mother:
Constant Criticism: Regular put-downs that create self-doubt.
Comparisons: Frequently comparing the child to others, diminishing their self-worth.
Lack of Listening: Dominating conversations and ignoring the child's experiences.
Dismissive of Feelings: Invalidating the child's emotions and fears.
Emotional Manipulation: Using guilt and passive-aggressive tactics to control the child.
Unpredictable Mood Swings: Intense and unpredictable emotional reactions that create anxiety in the child.
Interference with Relationships: Undermining the child's relationships with others.
Excessive Control: Overly influencing the child’s life choices, leading to indecisiveness.
Conditional Love: Showing affection only when the child meets specific expectations.
Healing Process: Establishing firm boundaries and seeking therapy can help in healing from the effects of a toxic mother.
When to Walk Away: If the relationship is causing significant harm and no resolution is possible, it may be necessary to limit contact.
Avoiding Toxicity in Future Generations: Self-awareness and reflection are crucial to prevent repeating toxic patterns with one's own children.
