Unfortunately, not everyone has a great relationship with their mother. While I would love to be able to say that everyone is blessed with a good mother, that sadly is not the case.
Instead, many people grow up with horribly toxic mothers that make their relationship with their children incredibly difficult. This happens for a myriad of reasons, but regardless of the reasons, the impact of a toxic mother is major. For everyone who has had a toxic relationship with their mother, my heart goes out to you.
Here are 8 types of toxic mothers and how to spot them.
1. The Dismissive Mother
A dismissive mother is completely invalidating. Any time you come to her with emotional issues or need help, she will immediately shut you down. She doesn’t care to help you, and she is the opposite of supportive.
2. The Emotionally Distant Mother
An emotionally distant mother will shut you out emotionally and will be completely cold. She doesn’t have much to offer emotionally and oftentimes makes her children question whether she loves them at all. While their toxic ways may not be so obvious- the harm remains the same.
3. The Controlling Mother
The controlling mother cannot stand for her child to make any decisions without her or do anything that she cannot control. She can be manipulative, vindictive, and likely always plays the victim.
4. The Combative Mother
A combative mother is one of the most physically abusive, and likely will always be on the offensive with her kids. Even the slightest thing can set her off- and it’s almost as though she thrives on chaos and fights.
5. The Unreliable Mother
An unreliable mother may act as though she is present in her child’s life, but while she may be present sometimes, she isn’t when her kids need her. Because she is unstable- it’s always a toss-up as to what her behavior will be like from one day to the next.
6. The Addict Mother
The addict mother is either addicted to drugs, alcohol, or something else that prevents her from being present for her child or children. As long as she is in active addiction, she remains toxic and unstable in her children’s life.
7. The Narcissistic Mother
A narcissistic mother is toxic to her children because she is self-absorbed and emotionally abusive. Narcissists are typically manipulative and guilt-trip their children when they don’t follow suit with their attempts at control.
8. The Child-Mother
This type of toxic mother puts her child in the position of an adult and acts as the child. They may be unable to properly take care of themselves and put the burden of taking care of them on their children, who are too young to be put in that position. Or they may have other problems that prevent them from functioning as an adult.