How to Deal with Emotionally Abusive Parents

Dealing with parents who are emotionally abusive is very stressful and can be damaging to your self esteem and your relationship. As an adult, you have the right to allow people who respect you into your life, while distancing yourself from those who don't.

Instructions

1. Try not to talk back to your parents when they are being emotionally abusive. Your natural reactions to someone telling you're stupid, yelling or cursing is to retaliate and do the same, but don't. Behave like the adult you are and don't resort to their tactics.

2. Have a calm talk with your parents. Choose a time when they seem to be in a good mood. Explain to them how they hurt your feelings when they yell at you, try to control or put you down. Make it clear that you refuse to take this abuse from them and they are going to lose contact with you if they can't treat you properly.

3. Suggest family counseling to help you work through any issues you are having. The counselor can help your parents understand how damaging their abuse is, to both you and their relationship with you. You may have to pay for this counseling yourself, but if they'll go, it will probably be worth it.

4. Set boundaries with your parents and outline what the consequences will be if they cannot respect you as an adult. Each time they try to control you or otherwise emotionally abuse you, make it clear that it's not acceptable. At this point, you will have to either leave the situation, or ask your parents to leave your home, depending on the situation at hand.

Tips & Warnings

• Always stand your ground. You are an adult and you don't have to let your parents emotionally abuse you anymore.