How do I deal with an emotionally distant mother?
Questions & Answers
- Let them have their feelings. Feelings are neither good nor bad; they are. Help your children identify their feelings and name them (sad, frustrated, angry).
- Don’t get defensive. Keep in mind that their feelings are their own.
- Listen and don’t try to fix things.
What is an emotionally distant parent?
Would you know what an emotionally detached and unavailable parent is? For most people who have endured an unstable, abusive, or emotionally unavailable parent, emotional detachment is an inability of the parent to meet their deepest needs, relate to them, or provides support and comfort when needed.
How does it feel to have an emotionally unavailable mother?
Your mother will experience frustration, anger, and resentment like anyone else but will have to deal with it on her own. Needless to say that this creates all kinds of emotional blockages and suppressed feelings. As a child of an emotionally unavailable mother, you will probably have this personality trait too.
Can a toxic mother be emotionally unavailable to her children?
So, of course, these two children will have a totally different idea of their mother. Thus, a toxic mother will be emotionally unavailable only to the child who plays the role of the family scapegoat. A woman who only struggles with expressing her emotions will never do that.
Why is it bad to show your emotions to your mother?
Your mother is the first person to show you the warmth of love and trust. When she expresses these feelings neither for you nor for other family members, you learn to do the same thing. You form the belief that showing your emotions is a bad thing that makes you weak and vulnerable.
What happens when your mother never has the same response?
When your mother never has the same response to the same behaviors, it can be extremely hard to know what to expect out of her or to know how you should behave. If you make a small mistake, she might be kind and forgiving, or she might be angry and spiteful.