bookholm

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  • in reply to: I have an alcoholic parent. #31050
    bookholm
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    I feel like you are a lot younger than me (I’m 38) but I am facing the same situation I have always felt when I am around my alcoholic mother.

    First of all, if you and your younger siblings are unsafe, you need to and DESERVE to be safe.

    The only thing that ever worked for me was to try to get out and stay out of that situation, physically and emotionally. It’s complicated because you have younger siblings…is there a family who could help care for them? Might be best to go through a safe family member first rather than child protective services.

    I think if I was younger the only things that would have been helpful, besides getting out of there, was remembering:

    1) the situation really is “that bad”. She is a “real addict” and not “just coping” with whatever or whoever she blames her behavior on (her kids, parents, husband, or her difficult life). My mom blames her behavior on her childhood trauma and her divorce and hasn’t changed her tune since my 20s. She went through messed up stuff…but that doesn’t mean it is safe for me to be around her behavior.

    2) In a few years people will tell you you have to forgive your mother and take care of her, especially as she gets old and frail (with alcoholics this happens sooner than later.) They will say things like “there is no manual for bringing up kids, everyone makes mistakes.” You need to remember these people don’t know her or have any idea how it is to live with a self destructive and manipulative person. Her problems will be real and she may start referring to herself as “abandoned by her children”. But when you get out of there, you can’t let her toxic behavior influence your wellbeing, even if you feel bad for her, even if she is in a horrible situation.

    Anyway that’s about it. You can’t change her behavior, but maybe you can help your siblings who are also victims of this situation. But you shouldn’t try to do that on your own, and ultimately she (and the other adults in your family) should be the ones providing a safe environment. This shouldn’t be your responsibility.

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