Becoming a parent is, without a doubt, the biggest blessing in life. Yet, parenthood comes with countless challenges. Every parent can make mistakes, but there is a very fine line between these errors and the inappropriate behavior of toxic parents.

They might not be aware of it, but sometimes parents can end up hurting their children instead of helping, supporting, and guiding them in life.

Here are 10 things toxic parents do and what are their consequences on the child:

1. Toxic parents often rely on their children as emotional support, and unintentionally, place an excessive burden on them. It is inappropriate to confide in their kids about their serious problems in life, as they might strip them of their childhood. Later on in life, these kids will need to reclaim it.

2. These people justify their bad behavior at the expense of their children. These kids can internalize this blame, and it can become a habit later in life.

3. Jokes add an element of fun to every family reunion. Yet, the jokes about your appearance might end up hurting you more, and cause low self-esteem and an inferiority complex.

4. They are being too critical, which can have severe consequences on their kids later in life. Being there to guide the child is one thing, but criticizing every single step can cause trauma and can undermine their self-worth for good.

5. Toxic parents make their children feel guilty all the time. They want to control everything. This behavior can make the child thirsty for an unhealthy amount of external approval as an adult.

6. Toxic parents don’t have boundaries in life, and often overstep them, so their children have difficulties to recognize them when they leave the nest.

7. A parent should never give a child the silent treatment, even after a heated argument. This passive-aggressive treatment hurts the relationship and the child feels pressured to fix the situation. These kids can copy this behavior as adults, and develop toxic relationships.

8. Toxic parents often urge their children to suppress their emotions, especially the negative ones, and these children can become prone to depression and an inability to deal with negative situations.

9. Toxic parents are selfish and want to dominate in every situation. They prioritize their needs and feelings.

10. Toxic parents have unrealistically high expectations, and thus hinder the performance of their kids. Such a child becomes introverted, and often carries that trait into adulthood. The disparaging comments make their kids grow into people that believe they are always a disappointment to their parents.

While still young, many children believe their toxic parents are just typical and think that all families operate in a such dysfunctional manner.

Yet, everyone eventually realizes that emotionally healthy people are not cruel, controlling, or unavailable. They encourage their kids, show genuine concern for their feelings, apologize when they are wrong, and respect them instead.

Toxic parents cause lasting psychological issues in their children. Fortunately, it is possible to overcome them. To protect yourself and your own family, make sure you prioritize your own health and wellbeing.

You deserve to be respected, loved, and cared for.

If your parent is a toxic person, distancing is probably the most difficult decision you’ll have to make in life. Detaching is an emotional concept that is not linked to physical proximity.

If you emotionally detach, you’ll no longer react and take things personally, and you’ll not feel responsible for someone else’s feelings, wants, and needs.

You’’ have to set your boundaries. If you are unable to make it verbally, you may need physical distance from your parents to do it.

Sources:
blogs.psychcentral.com
brightside.me
www.psychologytoday.com