Ahoy Captain, This past year I (31/F) finally received a diagnosis for what I've been struggling with for over half my life. I have Complex PTSD/PTSD (I'll spare you the differences and overlaps) (Ed. Note: No worries! I, Jennifer, will link people to a basic explainer.) Encouraged by my therapist I shared the PTSD with my … Continue reading #1243: “Broaching a service dog with dismissive family.”
Tag: parents
#1233: “Is it ever safe to take a difficult parent off a ‘low information’ diet?”
Dear Captain, I (she/her, 32) suppose that this is a question about resetting boundaries. My mom has made a few comments over the last year or two that I’ve never really reached out to or confided in her, and she sounds hurt about this. This is true! For example, in fifth grade my school put … Continue reading #1233: “Is it ever safe to take a difficult parent off a ‘low information’ diet?”
#809: Gold, Frankincense, Myrrh, and Judgement
Hey Captain Awkward! First off, I hope you've had a lovely holiday season so far! Hopefully it's been less stressful than mine. I wasn't able to quite find an answer to my situation (and I admit, it's sorta weird). Basically, shopping for the holidays has become quite an event. Maybe it's because my family's Asian, … Continue reading #809: Gold, Frankincense, Myrrh, and Judgement
#802: “My dad insists on talking to me in baby-talk. I am 30.”
Dear Captain Awkward, My parents and I have a very strained relationship. There is obviously a lot involved, but since I left home 12 years ago I've slowly been setting boundaries with them and trying to have the kind of relationship we can manage (which is a superficial though mostly friendly one as long as … Continue reading #802: “My dad insists on talking to me in baby-talk. I am 30.”
#785: Difficult Mom Wants To Be Closer
Hi, Captain, My mom and I have had a fraught relationship for most of my life. Her parenting was often verbally and emotionally abusive, she spent much of my adolescence self-medicating with alcohol, and she's both extremely volatile and prone to interpreting criticism as an indictment of her entire being (so, for instance, "Mom, I … Continue reading #785: Difficult Mom Wants To Be Closer
#773: Grandparents, visits, and boundaries
Dear Captain Awkward, A couple of weeks ago, I tried one of your scripts on my parents to ask them to stay in a hotel when they visit. My wife and I have a two-month old baby. Any house guests are disruptive, especially with a newborn in the house. But my parents are the most … Continue reading #773: Grandparents, visits, and boundaries
#697 “My narcissistic craphole dad likes to glom onto my achievements. How do I stop him from ruining my next big thing?”
Dear Captain Awkward, I'm in my late 20s and have achieved a considerable amount of success in my creative field. I earn a sizable living and have a good reputation in my field both nationally and internationally. My father and I do not have a very good relationship (short backstory: he is a professor who … Continue reading #697 “My narcissistic craphole dad likes to glom onto my achievements. How do I stop him from ruining my next big thing?”
#591: How do I tell my nosy mom about my ummfriend?
Dear Captain Awkward, I have a slightly complicated situation that I don't know how to talk (or better yet, avoid talking) about with my parents. Recently, I’ve met a guy and had a couple dates with him. We hit it off and would like to continue seeing each other. Fortunately, he has his own place; … Continue reading #591: How do I tell my nosy mom about my ummfriend?
#531: When a parent wants you to be their marriage counselor.
Dear Captain Awkward, So, I'm having trouble with my mom and I'm not sure if it's a me-problem or a her-problem or a "no one did anything wrong but it's just uncomfortable" problem. When I started college (and became an adult-ish) my mom has opened up to me about a lot of things that she … Continue reading #531: When a parent wants you to be their marriage counselor.
#503: Education, love, money, family, foreign adventures & THE ENTIRE FUTURE OF EVERYTHING
Comments on this thread are closed as of 8/17. Thank you. Hi Captain Awkward, My mother and my boyfriend HATE each other. I know you've heard this all before, and until now I've learned to just deal with it. Until now. My mother is my supporter, I am currently a 19 year old undergraduate, … Continue reading #503: Education, love, money, family, foreign adventures & THE ENTIRE FUTURE OF EVERYTHING
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