Join Erin and her guests, as they delve into what it means to be a child of a narcissistic parent. Each fortnightly episode is crammed full of honesty, humour and hope.

Sometimes, I feel like I am sat in an eternal, never-ending waiting room on my own. I am anxiously awaiting my name to be called. I never know when it is going to happen or why. I can’t leave even though I am uncomfortable…so, I wait.

Sitting in that unique, imaginary waiting room evokes a mix of emotions…many of which are similar to our experiences of waiting in a Doctor’s Surgery.

Listen as I explore what sitting with ongoing trauma can look and feel like for children of narcissistic parents.

Dealing with narcissistic parents doesn’t come with a time line or specific treatment plan. There isn’t a pill, an ointment or a plaster big enough for the deep wounds.

It is one reason that the healing process is so unique.

The good news is that I can be sitting in the waiting room and still live a very happy, hopeful and fulfilling life. The reality is painful and unfair - for sure - but we can choose to be happy.

I have been dealing with my own worst enemy as long as I can remember. If I looked into mirrors, I would see her far too often. But, I didn’t need to see my reflection to know that she was right here. You guessed it! I am talking about me.

Join Erin and her guests, as they delve into what it means to be a child of a narcissistic parent. Each fortnightly episode is crammed full of honesty, humour and hope.

As children, we believe every word our parents say. Why doubt them? We don’t because what they say is the truth…or is it?

For far too long, I believed my narcissistic parents. Eventually, I had to make the conscious choice to NO LONGER BELIEVE. It didn’t happen overnight, but it happened. I now listen to my own voice. I believe my own truth.

That one choice has changed my life.

You can choose to do the same.

For those navigating toxic, narcissistic family relationships, we are all too aware of the price we have paid and continue to pay. In some very real ways, it feels like we are being robbed every single day. What can cost that much? I am referring to the LOSS that happens when - as a child of narcissists - you choose to stand up, speak out, speak your truth and, if necessary, cut ties altogether.

Join Erin and her guests, as they delve into what it means to be a child of a narcissistic parent. Each fortnightly episode is crammed full of honesty, humour and hope.

The price keeps increasing and the cost gets greater. It’s a gradual process, not happening all at once, like a simple bank transaction.

For me, the cost meant standing alone, which resulted in having no extended family for my children. I used to apologise for that, especially since it was a direct result of my hard choices. No more apologies! I now embrace ‘just us.’ I wouldn’t change it for the world because I have everything I need…EVERYONE I need! It’s JUST US.

In this episode, I talk about the deep-seated sadness or grief experienced as children of narcissistic parents. It’s a heartache that lasts a lifetime.

Join Erin and her guests, as they delve into what it means to be a child of a narcissistic parent. Each fortnightly episode is crammed full of honesty, humour and hope.

You don’t have to be a parent yourself to ask the question, “Who is going to mother(parent) me?,” yet it is a familiar one asked by those raised by narcissists. We all know that being a child has no age limit. So, it’s not surprising to know that the longing to be mothered (parented) never goes away. I have had to accept the fact that no one is going to parent me. Instead of allowing that truth to rob me of my happiness, I found healthy and hopeful ways to fill in that void. EVERYONE NEEDS/DESERVES TO BE MOTHERED. So, I mother anyone and everyone I meet. It is a genuine ‘heart act’ and it makes me incredibly happy.

Join Erin and her guests, as they delve into what it means to be a child of a narcissistic parent. Each fortnightly episode is crammed full of honesty, humour and hope.

When I imagine myself as a Mama Bear, my mind is filled with animated, Disney-like characters, with a heart-warming soundtrack playing in the background.

However, if you asked my grown children for their versions of me as a Mama Bear, you would be transported to those infamous nature documentaries…the ones that should come with an 18 rating due to the copious amount of blood and guts splattered all over the place.

Don’t worry! I never resorted to intimidation by growling, sharpening my claws or attacking others until their blood was spilt.

As a Mama Bear, I couldn’t help myself. I would do and still do ANYTHING to protect my cubs…especially from the dangerous and unpredictable narcissists in the family.

How I protect them has changed over time, but something else hasn’t. Know that I will not apologise for being the Mama Bear that I am (Disney soundtrack optional).

Join Erin and her guests, as they delve into what it means to be a child of a narcissistic parent. Each fortnightly episode is crammed full of honesty, humour and hope.

I know many people who detest swearing. I’m not one of them. I don’t swear to intentionally offend, upset or embarrass someone. But, I believe there are far uglier, more offensive and degrading words than the ones in my pirate vocabulary.

One of the nastiest words - in my opinion - isn’t even a four letter word. It has five letters.

SHAME.

I carried that word and everything that goes with it, like a rucksack filled with rocks, for the majority of my life. That load was HEAVY!

The good news is that I don’t carry it anymore. When I realised (and believed) that all of that stuff happened TO me…not BECAUSE of me…I could finally take off the rucksack of shame. My rejoicing doesn’t end there. I have gone one giant leap further. I decided to flip it! I now say, out loud and with conviction,

“SHAME ON YOU!”

Go on! Say it! Place the blame and shame where it rightfully belongs. They aren’t yours to carry.

Join Erin and her guests, as they delve into what it means to be a child of a narcissistic parent. Each fortnightly episode is crammed full of honesty, humour and hope.

Narcissistic parents often choose to cross, ignore or erase one boundary…the EMOTIONAL boundary…and that is one too many. They do everything in their power to engage in emotional warfare. As the parent, they know their child’s weaknesses all too well, so will be sure to choose their words carefully…pushing as many buttons and pulling as many heartstrings as possible.

My mind was the first boundary that was non-existent for my mom. But, she didn’t stop there. She didn’t acknowledge boundaries AT ALL, becoming what I call a ‘free range parent.’

In her sick and twisted brain, my mind AND body were her property. For me and me alone, nowhere was safe.

Crossing emotional boundaries was/is bad enough. But, choosing to cross, ignore and erase all boundaries has left me with more scars than I can count.

Join Erin and her guests, as they delve into what it means to be a child of a narcissistic parent. Each fortnightly episode is crammed full of honesty, humour and hope.

In this episode, I am going to explore why a certain two letter word used to get stuck in my throat.

As a child of narcissistic parents, NO really wasn’t an option. In my mind, that would lead to more rejection, more arguments and more alienation. However, once I realised that I was on this emotional rollercoaster ride ALONE, I knew that I had to speak up and stand up for myself. I had to have my own back.

I can’t put a finger on exactly when there was a HUGE shift in my thinking. It was gradual and took many years…which included many tears, much heartache, endless conversations, serious disappointment and TONS OF LOSS.

I can now say - wholeheartedly - that NO is a complete sentence. I hope you can come to the same conclusion…in your own time…in your own way.

Learn to say NO. Full stop.