I have been thinking a lot about childhood recently. About how different my kids’ experiences have been compared to my own. My parents split when I was one year old. My mom had the locks changed and my grandparents were told to call the police if my dad showed up, or that’s the story I was told.
So when I look at my kids and their experiences, I think about how stable things are for them. They feel safe, loved, and supported, no matter what. I was told numerous times that I was a mistake. That I was bad. I acted out a lot, which I now understand was because I was a hurt, angry kid. And let’s face it – all kids have their moments, and its how we handle those moments, and how we repair the mistakes we will inevitably make, that makes them feel seen, heard, loved, and secure.
I want to dive into what it’s like parenting after being parented by toxic parents.
TW this post will discuss some physical and verbal abuse.