I was emotionally abused by my parents for many, many years. My mother, very critical, never taught me how to cook, clean, or do laundry or anything. You might say 'Well, geez, I wish that had been my life.' No, because the message she sent was 'You're incapable of doing this, you're not worthy enough for my time to teach you,' etc. She sent me many mixed messages through the years; I honestly concluded the only time she loved me was when I was doing what she wanted me to do. Now that I've moved out, I struggle with the emotional baggage of this.
My father was different. He was rarely involved in my life. We went on trips and stuff, but we never bonded as a real father-son would do. I never mowed the lawn or anything; my parents were terrified I would hurt myself. I'm not incapable of doing things (I'm doing okay on my own; it's just this emotional stuff is like an anchor).
What I'm trying to get at is, how do I let go of all this? I do forgive my parents for the negative messages they sent through the years; still the baggage remains. How do I let it go? Furthermore, how do I maintain my relationship with my parents without letting them get to me?
Shaun
My father was different. He was rarely involved in my life. We went on trips and stuff, but we never bonded as a real father-son would do. I never mowed the lawn or anything; my parents were terrified I would hurt myself. I'm not incapable of doing things (I'm doing okay on my own; it's just this emotional stuff is like an anchor).
What I'm trying to get at is, how do I let go of all this? I do forgive my parents for the negative messages they sent through the years; still the baggage remains. How do I let it go? Furthermore, how do I maintain my relationship with my parents without letting them get to me?
Shaun