What being raised by toxic parents may look like
No parent wants their child to feel insecure, unloved and less confident. Whatever they do or say is all in goodwill, aimed towards helping children succeed and flourish.
However, knowingly or unknowingly, things may have taken a toxic turn for you, especially if your parents prioritized their ambitions over your mental and emotional well-being. While it may have helped you excel in your class, become the best at your profession, and even fine-tuned your social skills, being raised in a toxic environment may have taken its toll on you in some way or the other. Sometimes, the signs can even be very insignificant. That said, here's what you need to look out for and change.
You face difficulty in understanding love
Growing up with toxic parents may have triggered a sense of confusion when it comes to love. You're supposed to feel protected and supported by the person who claims to love you. But if they're only counting your faults, making you feel less special and less important, then you're likely to be a little unclear and upset. So as you grow up these unpleasant feelings start to manifest themselves in the form of trust issues. Be it your friend or your partner, if you're always finding it difficult to trust them and you have had a tough childhood, there could be a link.
You can't seem to accept failure
One of the traits of toxic parents include never allowing the child to make mistakes. Such parents are ambitious and seek perfection, which is almost impossible even for an adult. Kids of these toxic parents therefore fear failure and can never accept it. They're always pushing themselves to achieve success, be the best at everything, but if they falter, they're likely to blame themselves and be guilt-ridden.
You often blame yourself for everything
Irrespective of what the damage is, if you're someone who always takes the fall, then it could be because you were raised so. Children who grew up with toxic parents often feel at blame for everything that goes wrong. This is because they were always reminded of their mistakes time and again and how it went on to raise other problems. Emotional and verbal abuse can hamper one's confidence and self-esteem, which could make one extremely self-critical.
You're always the first to apologize
Again, if you're someone who is always apologizing, even for mistakes you did not commit, then it could be a sign of growing up with toxic parents. Kids raised by toxic parents often place other people's emotions and needs over theirs, which is why they're always alert about not hurting other people's feelings even if it means it will hurt their's.
You're always seeking people's validation
Being raised by toxic parents can make a child very dependent and hungry for comfort. That said, if you're someone who grew up with toxic parents, you may always seek other people's validation. You might rely on other people to tell you that you’re doing a great job or that you have made the right decision. Your opinions may not feel as important to you.
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