Family comes in many forms. Some can be loving and supportive, others can be toxic and hold you down.

For example, there have been many cases of toxic parenting that has become a syndrome. Toxic parents syndrome is when parents cause their kids copious amounts of stress through words or actions. They fail to protect their kids from a stressful environment, and that stress causes trauma and ruins children’s self-esteem. It also causes self-destructive behavior.

Signs of toxic parenting include over-sharing, controlling children every moment, being harshly critical and lacking boundaries and respect. 

Toxic parenting may be the result of a parent who needs to control or is jealous of the child, causing damaging effects on a child who needs their parent’s approval.

If you are the child of a toxic parent, there are steps you can take and try to improve the situation. First, don’t try to change your parents. Realize that boundaries are important, and set up a support system. Take care of yourself, and consider therapy for healing. 

I know from experience that therapy has helped me through my own personal struggles. Dealing with toxic parents can be challenging, but therapy can provide a valuable support system. From therapy, you can learn healthy coping mechanisms, how to set healthy boundaries and prioritize self-care.

LMC offers free therapy to students who need help. On the LMC website, go to the counselor’s page and click on Wellness Resources,and you will see an option called Timely Care. 

The online therapist I spoke to was Brian Lamb. I asked him questions about how to deal with a toxic family and set healthy boundaries, issues you might face, including difficulties with relationships, and behavior issues, such as not knowing how to show normal affection. You might look for partners with toxic traits because it makes you feel safer. You also might go for unhealthy relationships and believe it’s normal.

Recognizing that you or someone has been affected by toxic parenting is the first step to healing. You also need to know that if you have a toxic parent it’s not your fault. Seek emotional support and reach out to trusted people to change your negative beliefs. Toxic parents can leave you with bad ideas about the world around you or yourself. Just focus on your strengths, your accomplishments, and your positive qualities with friends, and family.