Picture this. Your mom comes in from a long day out in the streets doing Lord knows what. She's glad to see you. You're glad to see her because it's been 8 plus hours with no communication or directions on what was for breakfast...or lunch...or dinner. You have spent all day trying to keep your siblings occupied and safe. She pours herself a glass of wine, kicks her feet up, and proceeds to tell you all about how Brian (the latest man on the roster) has cheated on her once again. She confides in you that men aren't shit these days and that sometimes she wishes she had never been born. Awkward. Did your mom forget you are 12 years old? You just want a happy meal from Mcdonald's' and she's here crying about a man that she has chosen over you for the last few months (nothing new). It has come to my attention that many of you (my listeners and readers) have experienced neglect like this or similar to this as kids. As someone who has not had this experience, it is my mission to learn from those who have experienced neglect. I want you to know that I hear you, I see you. How do you deal with this? What happens when you are not only being neglected, but your parents also lean on you as a source of emotional support? Well, Zoe has been a gem and agreed to collab with me for this episode! Listen in as Zoe talks me through their experiences with neglect, how it has affected them, and how they have overcome the repercussions of being raised in this kind of toxic atmosphere. Maybe by the end, you'll be inspired to shoot your parents a bill for all the free therapy you gave them growing up?
