A toxic parent, from its definition, is a parent who is self-centered and is permanently unavailable for the emotional need of her child.
In today's article, we'll look at the toxic behaviors of parents that are harming their children's lives to assist them in seeing and changing their ways.
I have come across many parents who hurt their kids emotionally with these traits without them knowing.
‘’ Look at your friend, why can't you be like him?’’,
‘’ You are such a moron!’’,
‘’ You must be an engineer whether you like it or not’’.
These are just some of the few statements a toxic or narcissistic parent has the habit of saying, which always have adverse effects on their kids.
Before we look at other traits of characters of a toxic parent, let’s first find out the effect this bad habit can have on a child's life.
Effects of toxic parenting
Anxiety disorder;
A study in 1998 revealed that people exposed to toxic parenting daily are more likely to have a lot of anxiety order, and the status of one or location doesn't have any influence on this finding.
Sadly, the findings also revealed that this anxiety disorder does not stop traumatizing the affected child even when he grows to become an adult.
Likely to suffer from PTSD;
Another adverse effect a toxic parenting style can have on a child is PTSD.
This is a disorder where it will be tough for the child to recover from the harsh and emotional damage he might have experienced even after a long period.
Any minor thing can bring back that haunting memory to the individual affected.
Health problem;
It has been established that people who had some sort of toxic upbringing end up suffering from many health complications, with the most common of all being heart-related.
Another finding also revealed that individuals who grew up in homes where they have been exposed to toxic parenting often have low immune systems making them prone to falling ill quickly.
These are some of the implications toxic or narcissist parenting can have on the lives of individuals.
What are some traits of a toxic parent to look out for? Here are some below;
They are controlling;
One trait that we cannot leave out of this write-up is the controlling character of a toxic parent.
According to these parents, their children don’t get to have a say in things concerning their own lives.
Even if the child grows into an adult, they are not allowed to make their own decisions.
You don’t have to have a separate interest when living with a toxic parent.
They always want to be the ones to decide on who their child can date, what they can wear, or what they must do with their lives without respecting the opinion of their child.
They hold grudges;
It could be days, weeks, or even years; a toxic parent will never forget something which should have been let go.
They always seem to hold on to that, using it to guilt-trip their kids to get anything they want done.
When they ask their kids for something, and the child doesn't comply, for instance, due to some reasons, they will bring up that issue using it to make the child do their will due to the guilt attached.
They expect perfection;
No one is perfect. That’s a common saying which implies what it literally means, but this is not so in the eyes of a toxic parent.
They primarily, if not all the time, everything that their wards do finds something to complain about.
They lack empathy;
Toxic parents are self-centered individuals, as we saw in the definition of a toxic parent. If their children are going through a difficult period and seek help from them, they are unable or find it difficult to empathize with them.
They believe the world revolves around them, and everything should be about them. Most of these parents do not like to admit if they are wrong when they offend their kids.
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