Mixed Feelings
I just want to say, shout out the people who have parents that are loving, yet black holes of emotional labor as well. It took me a couple of years to realize it is okay to feel this way; to have mixed feelings about your parents and the relationship you have with them. Sometimes your parents love you and have your best intentions at heart, but at the same time can be toxic to you, your health, and your growth in life. Often times it is hard to realize this, as it might just come across as "normal". Sometimes your parents love you genuinely, but lack emotional maturity, forcing you to perform unequal amounts of emotional labor/support. Some parents (like mine) manifest symptoms of their mental illnesses in ways that is toxic to your well-being and mental health. Some parents, like mine, try really hard to be good supportive parents which I am thankful for, yet they fall back on old habits of emotional manipulation because they are modeling behavior they grew up with; even...