Reminders If You Grew Up With Alcoholic Parents:
1. They didn't choose alcohol over you: they were dealing with their own trauma and lack of coping mechanisms. They didn't have the ability to choose you. You were always deserving of a loving supportive parent.
2. It might be hard to deal with your feelings: witnessing adults who coped with substances teaches us that feelings are bad and we have to escape pain. It's ok if feelings feel overwhelming. Be kind to yourself as you learn how to feel and express them.
3. You can build a stable life: your past was likely unstable and chaotic. You can consciously build a different outcome for yourself. You can learn stability as peace. You can break the generational cycle.
4. It's ok to feel jealousy: seeing photos of happy families or involved parents can be really triggering. It's natural to feel jealous around what you needed and didn't get.
5. Boundaries are you best friend: there was probably a time when you didn't or couldn't have boundaries. Now, they're important acts of self care. Say "No." Honor your capacity. It is not selfish, it's necessary.
6. You can have fun: you had to take care of your parent as a child and that was tough. Few people now the struggles of being a parent to an alcoholic parent. It's ok if you want to play, have less responsibility, and don't want to "have it all together."
7. You don't need to be your parents "everything": Adult children of alcoholics grow up with the idea that they need to be forever caretakers. You don't need to be there 24/7 for your parent as an adult (especially if they are still drinking.)
8. You can prioritize you: for the first time in your adult life, here is your reminder that it's ok to prioritize yourself. You can be the parent your younger self always needed.
Love and support to everyone dealing with a parent struggling with alcoholism.
Support in the comments.
Join @selfhealerscirc waitlist here: selfhealerscircle.com
Support in the comments.
Join @selfhealerscirc waitlist here: selfhealerscircle.com
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