No Contact

Family should love unconditionally and treat you with respect. If they only love you when you accept their disrespectful and manipulative ways - they are using "love" as a bargaining chip, which makes it abuse, not love. Do you have to give yourself a pep talk before visiting a family member because they are so negative? How long will you tolerate the belittling "jokes", snide comments, being ignored at family functions or not invited at all? How many times will you rebuild your battered self-esteem after family visits? Making a decision to step away from family takes time and consideration, it is not made lightly, but with love and determination to heal. Dysfunctional families infect all members and cause division. If your family has a scapegoat, harbors negativity, doesn't solve issues by talking with the rightful party and pretends that everything is normal - you have been affected. This separation may be temporary or permanent, however it is imperative to the healing process. When family behaviors become more painful to you than the thought of going no contact, it is time to make a decision. This book explores aspects of limiting contact with toxic family members and shares stories of those who have. http://lorimayo.wix.com/lorimayobooks