Many people understand that parents are not perfect. They might do embarrassing things, lose their temper, or give advice that isn’t asked for. However, there is a significant difference between minor mistakes and causing real harm to a child’s well-being. Unfortunately, some parents seem to take opportunities to hurt their children. On Reddit, individuals with narcissistic parents shared some of the most unsettling and hurtful things they remember. Here are some of their responses.
One person recalled that at 19, their mother, who lacked emotional maturity, made a shocking statement about how they would end up in divorce court if they were married. This comment has left a lasting impact for over 17 years.
Another shared that their mother often claimed to have known since her youth that her children wouldn’t live long, especially her daughter, saying that God told her this. The child felt uncomfortable and was frightened about turning 16, fearing that her mother might harm her.
A different individual recounted that their father, who was single and facing challenges in dating, lamented in front of guests that young women were not interested in men like him, but rather in men like the individual’s boyfriend, who was sitting nearby. This comment caused embarrassment, especially in front of strangers.
Someone else remembered their narcissistic father stating it was his job to break their spirit. After being placed in a competitive academic program at a young age, the father expressed his frustration at dinner, claiming that paying for college would be a waste just so his daughter could have smart conversations with her husband.
Another individual mentioned their mother would take their phone and flirt with a boy they were dating, pretending to be them.
One person recounted that their father called them a “wh*re” when they were 12 for wearing a sports bra and jeans at home, calling it inappropriate behavior as they began puberty. This individual reflected on how their own children dress comfortably at home, contrasting it with their father’s harsh judgment.
Another shared that their father told them he could not hug them anymore because of their developing body, which was a painful remark for them.
One story described a very alarming comment from a mother to her two young children, claiming that Satan had told her to harm them with a potato peeler, and they should be grateful she hadn’t acted on it.
Another person remembered their mother telling them in sixth grade that no man would want to marry them if they didn’t show off their chest. This made them self-conscious, leading them to wear baggy clothing for years.
Lastly, someone shared that while they were pregnant at 38 and in a stable situation, their mother asked if she could have legal guardianship of the baby.
These stories highlight the lasting effects of hurtful remarks from parents. What are your thoughts on these experiences?
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Source: Bored Panda, by Justinas Keturka