A listener asked me to discuss critical parents and what to do about them. 

In this week’s podcast we discuss the difference between explicit criticism and subtly undermining your relationship. The key to dealing with criticism is to maintain responsibility over your emotional reaction. When we allow these criticisms to upset us, we have to realize that it’s because we became attached to what they said--that they might be right or that they “shouldn’t” have said it. The easiest way to deal with critical parents is to remember that they “get to” feel and say whatever they want, and you’re FINE. From that place, we can move forward to create healthy, effective boundaries that aren’t an attempt to change them or their behavior.

Resources:

Brook Castillo on Boundaries: https://thelifecoachschool.com/podcast/12/

Brook's Boundaries 2.0: https://thelifecoachschool.com/podcast/163/