đź’” What it means to have grown up with emotionally rejecting parents
Growing up with rejecting parents meant learning that love came with screaming matches followed by tearful apologies, creating an emotional rollercoaster that became your template for what relationships feel like.
You may have experienced a household where your feelings were consistently dismissed, minimized, or turned against you, while adults never admitted responsibility—instead choosing to blame, deflect, or rage when confronted. Your parent's criticism and belittling might have been framed as being "for your own good," teaching you that love and humiliation were inseparable companions.
You likely learned to watch your parent's moods constantly, adapting yourself to their emotional weather before you got into trouble. Your reality may have been constantly questioned and redefined, making you doubt your own memories, feelings, and perceptions. Now you might find that expressing authentic feelings feels too dangerous—they'll either be weaponized against you or dismissed entirely, just like they were in childhood.