But in a toxic relationship, a family member might try to control you through guilt. “Guilt is just one of the tools commonly used in emotional blackmail,” Keels adds. “This entails making you do something or not do something based on fear, feeling trapped, or feeling obligated. ...
“If there are legal concerns, such as shared custody of children, attorneys can send or edit a lot of the communication and whatever you do, don’t put vague status updates on social media that allude to problems with certain family members.” Always take the high road when communicating....
Letting go of (or breaking up with) a toxic friend, boyfriend or girlfriend is one thing, and there’s plenty of advice out there for doing so, but what about letting go of a toxic family member?
The stress that relationships with toxic family members cause can also lead to: Immune system problems (including autoimmune disease and decreased function) Headaches and other body aches from the unresolved tension Cholesterol and weight gain problems Heart health problems High blood pressure Increased h...
Sometimes you find yourself with a friend, family member, or a partner who is really difficult to get along with. When you’re around them, you feel degraded or manipulated. Dealing with such people is never easy so you should find ways to tune out the toxicity that can’t be avoided....
(such as basements and bathrooms) because mold needs humidity to grow. Be sure to examine these areas for pale molds as well as the more noticeable dark molds. If mold is determined to be present and a family member seems to be having a strong reaction, or has an immune deficiency ...
When our sons attempt to solve problems with their fists and parents write it off as “boys being boys”, or when we tell our daughters, “oh, that boy is only being mean because he likes you”, that should be a big red flag. What seems like normal “boy behavior” can be damaging...
You might think remote work can solve these problems. When executed properly, it can give you more control over your boundaries and your time. Plus, you and your toxic coworkers are miles of physical distance. Remote work can empower workers in many ways, but it’s not immune to toxicity...
“Other people in your family can handle her, why can’t you?” “Maybe if you tried harder?” One of the quickest ways I know to nip this suggestion in the bud is to offer the suggestion that your friend replace ‘toxic mom’ with ‘boyfriend who beats me.’ This usually flummoxes ...
What to Do When a Toxic Person Is a Family Member A toxic relative is a sticky situation. There are no easy answers, and no standard answers that are right for everyone. Still, cutting out toxic family members might be the most important cut you’ll ever make. Family has a unique way...