Good advice for friends/romantic interests, bad advice concerning family members. Too many people are applying this advice to family members. Family relationships can be very difficult and "toxic" but dealing with those family members throughout life is one of life's biggest character builders and learning experiences. Most modern folks are labeling meddling or overbearing family members "abusive" and it's just not the case many times. Use it as an opportunity to set boundaries and practice healthy relationship techniques. Barring someone from your life completely is typically uncalled for and destructive in ways that cannot be fully comprehended. Now when there has been legitimate abuse, physical, mental, emotional terrorizing, etc then yeah, shut the door if you have to for your safety.
Too many family members are being shut off from grandkids, nieces, nephews, etc because one person might deem them toxic when the truth is, they might just be annoying to you or trying to give you advice that you don't want to hear. I've seen many times when people who were not really good parents become really fantastic grandparents. Estrangement does not just hurt the one person that you feel is toxic in your family, it hurts the whole family. Often children are the primary victims that miss out from vital family connections when estrangements occur. Please take this advice, to walk away from people who do not make you happy, just don't use it on family members.
No comments:
Post a Comment