healing in a mother daughter relationship

Brainwashing in Dysfunctional Family Systems and that deep down feeling of Unworthiness

Posted: November 18, 2012 Under: Self Esteem By Darlene Ouimet 198 Comments

Every so often I get a comment that I just have to share with everyone because it is so full of the truth that can help so many others. This is one such time! This comment from Doren came in on my article “Survival Mode and an Alternate view of Narcissism.” Doren has given me … Continue reading "Brainwashing in Dysfunctional Family Systems and that deep down feeling of Unworthiness"

Understanding What Abuse IS and Recognizing Abusers

Posted: August 17, 2012 Under: Family By Darlene Ouimet 244 Comments

Abuse is a word that carries a whole lot of baggage. When most people think about “abusers” they think of wife beaters and people that take express anger violently against others, rapists, pedophiles – well you get the picture. But those are only the extreme definitions of what defines an abuser. When I didn’t know … Continue reading "Understanding What Abuse IS and Recognizing Abusers"

The Deception of an Emotionally Unavailable Father

Posted: August 08, 2012 Under: Father Daughter By Darlene Ouimet 181 Comments

I have tried to talk to my father about the problems with our relationship since my first child was born over 20 years ago and although he pretends to listen to me, he never listens to me. I know this because he never tries to change anything about it. My father is emotionally unavailable. Not … Continue reading "The Deception of an Emotionally Unavailable Father"

Dysfunctional Family Law and Family Belief Systems

Posted: July 31, 2011 Under: Family By Darlene Ouimet 55 Comments

Sometimes we are taught rules and ways of living in a dysfunctional family system that are not good for us. Sometimes we are taught to accept ways of living that are even illegal but we accept these dysfunctional teachings as truth. Sometimes the family system is dysfunctional and we learn that the law in the home is not the same as the law of the land

To be Objectified is to be Dehumanized by Pam Witzemann

Posted: June 17, 2011 Under: Self Esteem By Darlene Ouimet 102 Comments

By twelve I was depressed and anxious. I began stealing my mother’s allergy medicine so that I could sleep. This was my first step towards drug abuse. My first memory of depression was at twelve. I remember sitting in my closet thinking about cutting my wrist as my parents were drunk and arguing in another room.

Dysfunctional Extended Family ~ The Mean Aunt that I Loved

Posted: May 25, 2011 Under: Family By Darlene Ouimet 89 Comments

My Aunt would often ignore me and shoot me dirty looks, as though my very existence was in her way. She gossiped and lied about me to the rest of the family. Living all my life in an “obligation system of love” I had to be grateful that she was allowing me to live with her. I had already been groomed to just be quiet and put up with it. Compliance is the dysfunctional family way.

Missing Self Esteem? It Happens in Childhood

Posted: May 10, 2011 Under: Self Esteem By Darlene Ouimet 160 Comments

I learned to discount myself, just as I had been discounted. The way they mistreated me was my example of love. It was the only example that I had. It became my teacher. And I learned self love and self worth by the examples of love and worth that I was shown. And since the examples were so faulty and so absent, I learned my value and worth was not.

Facebook Hide Features and Belief System Busting

Posted: January 17, 2011 Under: Family By Darlene Ouimet 49 Comments

Going Behind the Walls In today’s blog post I am taking a look at motives driven by beliefs about ourselves that are not based in the truth. In order to do that, I am going to post some food for thought questions. You may answer them in the comments if you wish. You may share … Continue reading "Facebook Hide Features and Belief System Busting"

Emerging from Broken

Tag: dysfunctional family system