The most toxic types of mother-daughter relationships
It’s not all roses and Gilmore Girls. No matter what society wants you to believe.
by: E.B. Johnson
Although we have been conditioned to see all mothers as ethereal and wholesome — that Leave It to Beaver dream doesn’t apply to everyone. Some hold complex and painful relationships with mothers who are dismissive, controlling, and outright abusive. There’s a toxic edge to some mothers, which they hide behind societal expectations, our hopes for their connection with us, and the manipulations they lean into over time. Is your relationship with your mother toxic or otherwise damaging? Take steps to protect yourself by first facing the truth.
The toxic types of mother-daughter relationships.
We all share a unique relationship with our mothers — if we share a relationship with them at all. Sometimes, these relationships are combative and filled with turbulence. In other cases, the damage is far more insidious. Across the board, it’s important to be mindful of what’s happening between you and your mother. Whether it’s enmeshment, abandonment, or something else, the only way to move beyond your toxic dynamic is through understanding.
