ADVERTISEMENT

Some things we just cannot forget. Like harsh words from the people we want to impress most—our parents.

On May 3rd, assistant professor at Stockton University Emily Van Duyne tweeted a question: "Does anyone else ever remember a cruel thing your parent said to you [and] it takes the wind out of you? Even if it was almost ten years ago?" Turns out, they do.

Emily's tweet has received over 200,000 likes and plenty of comments where people revealed their parents' mean phrases that will probably stick with them for life, and the thread has become like a giant online mental health session.

"I want you all to know I am sorting through and reading and thinking of and trying to respond individually to each of these stories," Van Duyne wrote as the responses kept pouring in. "I'm making pasta and reminding myself to be tender with my kids and tender with myself, as much as humanly possible, always. Please do the same."

Continue scrolling and check out some of our hand-picked confessions. Sometimes, seeing other people vulnerable is all you need to uncover and deal with your own crap.

#1

Cruel-Unforgettable-Things-Parent-Said

BrainRockets Report

Add photo comments
POST
Dash Blue
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope that you shove your success in your fathers face, and never let him meet his grandchildren. Okay. A bit harsh.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#3

Cruel-Unforgettable-Things-Parent-Said

Vivien_Jackson Report

Add photo comments
POST
Raine Soo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How often have people said: You could be so pretty if you just lost the weight.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

According to Jessie-Anne Bird, a psychologist from Johannesburg, South Africa, we can be deeply wounded by the words of others. "If we are not careful, we can react in a way that may escalate things unnecessarily," Bird told Bored Panda.

Instead, the psychologist suggested we use the STOP technique, and it looks like this:

S: Stop. Wait before you react.

T: Take a step back - give yourself some time and space from the situation.

O: Observe what's going on inside and outside. Become aware of your thoughts and feelings, think about how they may be impacting your decision-making.

P: Proceed mindfully - once you have an understanding of what is happening, and have thought through your options - then you will be in a position to make a choice about how to respond or react.

ADVERTISEMENT
#4

Cruel-Unforgettable-Things-Parent-Said

nada_lemming Report

Add photo comments
POST
crazy_cat_notAlady
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yes. the opp happened to me though. dad was sick for years (cancer). did everything I could and I couldn't. dropped out of a Ph.D. program to get a stable job to support his treatment and family costs. waited for years to hear him say for once that he was proud of me. never said anything...now it's too late. sometimes I wonder if I would view my life and career choices differently had he been actually proud of me, or if he cared.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#5

Cruel-Unforgettable-Things-Parent-Said

PurpleTurtleWat Report

Add photo comments
POST
crazy_cat_notAlady
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

hey. u r beautiful. words can b harsh, but they can never strip u off ur beauty. glad u have found a good therapist. hope u continue to see the beauty of life and ur beauty too

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Experts associate parent-child connectedness with a wide range of health indicators. Close, positive family relationships that feature open communication help young people stay healthy and avoid substance use and violent behavior.

"We tend to use the perceptions of others to inform our self-view, and we might place more importance on the feedback we receive from those we value," Bird said. "When we hear hurtful things from those we love or esteem - they may hurt more because we are more likely to believe them."

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Imi Lo, a psychotherapist, art therapist, and consultant for emotionally intense and highly sensitive people, thinks the relationship between a child and a parent is one of the most instinctively protective, loving, and nurturing things humans experience. So when such a connection is clouded with feelings of deep hurt and resentment, these negative emotions can follow people beyond childhood and adolescence into adulthood.

"At the end of the day, you want to be able to cross over the bridge of resentment and move to a place of peace," Lo wrote in Psychology Today. "But however cliche this sounds, you need first to love yourself, embracing both the good and the bad, your ability to love, and your rage towards others. You must forgive yourself for your inability to forgive. You are a survivor for being here today. You deserve to live without emotional baggage."

If what you do grows into a deep sense of love for your parents, then the journey would have been worth it. If not, at least you know that you tried, and you will have no regrets.

ADVERTISEMENT
#12

Cruel-Unforgettable-Things-Parent-Said

K00KIED0UGH Report

Add photo comments
POST
Raine Soo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Have you noticed how parents will utter any stupidity because they can't manage their own stress and will take it out on their children because no one else is around to hear them rant?

Jaime
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, but usually it’s not just because of that. Taking out their stress on their children is definitely a bigger problem.

Load More Replies...
Watching
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mom did that. Lied to us about cancer. All for attention.

Maria Rib
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WOW. I never thought I'd ever think that someone deserved cancer but this woman makes be reconsider that position.

Miss Frankfurter
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I bet everything else that was crappy in her life was your fault too. News flash lady! It's all on you. All the crap stuff she said to you were ALL lies. They try to make you confused about what is true. Don't be confused. None of that crap was true. I hope and pray you can know this right down in your soul.

KAREN
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She didn't have cancer she was a cancer😲😶😳🧐

Bernardita Valdés
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Playin with cancer and using it to insult your daughter, i mean... thats basically calling for cancer. Dont come looking for compassion later, horrible mom.

Alice Palazon
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got you’re the reason your grandparents will die! They’re still alive btw

Zeljka Anastasia
Community Member
6 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My father in law actually said this to my husband (he did have cancer and wasn't expected to survive) He was down to about 90lbs by then and trying to power through what was probably the first illness he couldn't just 'walk off'. He pulled through and no grudges were held.

Steven Lomas
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would have replied 'Damn I didn't think birthday wishes came true'

Kat Lyle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is my mother. And half sister - both with Munchausen (unofficial diagnosis). And they love doing it when I am on holiday or out of town for a weekend. My brother didn't believe me until I stopped playing their game and they moved on to him.

Izzy Curer
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ooh. That reminds me of the time my mom told me I was the reason my dad had cancer. He did.

GigiMacN
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mother had breast cancer and a mastectomy. She pulled up her shirt revealing the nasty scar across her chest and told me I was the reason for this.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

Cruel-Unforgettable-Things-Parent-Said

JellyfishSando Report

Add photo comments
POST
Prilsy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's gaslighting and my father did it all the time to me. Still does and I'm almost 50.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#15

Cruel-Unforgettable-Things-Parent-Said

bookkakes Report

Add photo comments
POST
Grumble O'Pug
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nothing like getting belittled to make you feel better, right? Ugh

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#18

Cruel-Unforgettable-Things-Parent-Said

kenzie_connolly Report

Add photo comments
POST
CatWoman312
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She’s 9 dad. She’s playing soccer which involves a lot of running (assuming she’s not the goalie) so back off!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#19

Cruel-Unforgettable-Things-Parent-Said

thhsystem Report

Add photo comments
POST
Raine Soo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People fail to realize that self-harming is a coping mechanism toward pain and anger. Mom made it worse by telling you should be ashamed of yourself. I hope that you were able to find the help you needed.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#20

Cruel-Unforgettable-Things-Parent-Said

Sicarius001 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Tami
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mom is like this. She doesn't say she doesn't care, but she shows it by not showing interest and changing the subject. Meanwhile, she can blather on for 30-40 minutes about the toast she had for breakfast or how she sat out in the sun for awhile.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#21

Cruel-Unforgettable-Things-Parent-Said

LannieStabile Report

Add photo comments
POST
Raine Soo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was growing up, and even into my teens, family friends would say how pretty I was. My mother would say, "Nah, she's not." And, then start to list all my faults. I'd either walk away or stand there, rolling my eyes. So, yeah, I feel you.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#22

Cruel-Unforgettable-Things-Parent-Said

heylexiwrites Report

Add photo comments
POST
Raine Soo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd need therapy if I had to go through that rubbish too. Of course, I had my own battles with my mother.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#24

Cruel-Unforgettable-Things-Parent-Said

_potatofromhell Report

Add photo comments
POST
CatWoman312
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thankfully we wear masks now so we don’t have to look at the faces of ugly trolls like your mom

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#25

Cruel-Unforgettable-Things-Parent-Said

freestylwalking Report

Add photo comments
POST
Jaime
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah, I do that too, because of my ADHD. I really hate it, sometimes I say things that make people uncomfortable because I didn’t think before I spoke.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#27

Cruel-Unforgettable-Things-Parent-Said

zambievibes Report

#28

Cruel-Unforgettable-Things-Parent-Said

Alehfred Report

Add photo comments
POST
Raine Soo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This isn't quite the same, but my mother told me that I had no patience for young children. She said this to me when I was 10 years old. I'm surprised that I turned out this well despite her negative attitude.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#30

Cruel-Unforgettable-Things-Parent-Said

zombietwinkie44 Report

Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
Unlimited content
Ad-free browsing
Dark mode
#32

Cruel-Unforgettable-Things-Parent-Said

hoehning_it Report

Add photo comments
POST
kasa alex
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mum had an emotionally abusive mother...so she went on to marry an emotionally abusive man who abused both her and us (myself and siblings)...now my older sister is emotionally abusive towards me...and possibly her step daughter... #intergenerationaltrauma

View more commentsArrow down menu
#33

Cruel-Unforgettable-Things-Parent-Said

FormerlyPhoenix Report

Add photo comments
POST
H Edwards
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember one of the staff at the care home telling me not to cry when I realised that my mother really was dying. It certainly wasn't helpful.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#34

Cruel-Unforgettable-Things-Parent-Said

callmekracy Report

Add photo comments
POST
Raine Soo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My best friend is estranged from all her family members. And, in turn, they all seem to be estranged from one another. She said that growing up in her family, the environment was quite toxic, and she needed to get away from that. How bad was it? She said that she'd rather die than ask them for help.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#35

Cruel-Unforgettable-Things-Parent-Said

socalbeachwalkr Report

Add photo comments
POST
Raine Soo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't tell you how many times my mother told me I was stupid. "Not as stupid as you," I would retort. And, then we'd be fighting again.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#36

Cruel-Unforgettable-Things-Parent-Said

EmilyGuyBirken Report

Add photo comments
POST
Martha Meyer
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay, I think this was well meant, if wrong, advice, perhaps also said in a bad tone. I think OP here is probably very sensitive and had low self esteem at the time, so this hit harder than it might have otherwise.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#37

Cruel-Unforgettable-Things-Parent-Said

xxgalaxygabxx Report

Add photo comments
POST
ninjaraph
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Parents do say things like that. I discover later in life it's about them, not you. They have insecurities. Please find the strength and self worth you deserve. Fight on!

#39

Cruel-Unforgettable-Things-Parent-Said

helloimfran Report

Add photo comments
POST
WildHoneyPie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Shoot, that's just not fair. Birthday money is Yours. Spend it as you please.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#40

Cruel-Unforgettable-Things-Parent-Said

bubbble__gummm Report

Add photo comments
POST
Jo Johannsen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One of my step fathers told me during their divorce that I was the cause. I was 10.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#43

Cruel-Unforgettable-Things-Parent-Said

SmashRadley Report

Add photo comments
POST
Carol Emory
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I had a co-worker that was a man hater. She'd constantly say how dumb and useless they were. Then my boss went to her and said "You have a son, right? He will eventually grow up to be a man. So every time you berate and belittle men in his presence, you're actually insulting him. Do you think he's going to resent you for that?" Our co-worker never bashed on men again.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#44

Cruel-Unforgettable-Things-Parent-Said

IAmThingx2 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Evil Little Thing
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I feel like there's more to this story than Naomi is telling. Parents have feelings too, and she clearly caught her mom at a terrible time.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#47

Cruel-Unforgettable-Things-Parent-Said

CameroIsabella Report

Add photo comments
POST
#48

Cruel-Unforgettable-Things-Parent-Said

artwormsbrown Report

Add photo comments
POST
Stephanie IV
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That a dress isn’t flattering can be said in a much less harmful way.

#49

Cruel-Unforgettable-Things-Parent-Said

WiseWyzard Report

Add photo comments
POST
Carol Emory
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I did this with my mother. I called her after moving 3000 miles away to let her know her grandson was just diagnosed with Autism. She then proceeds to chew me out saying that she knew all along and that I had been to lazy to get him diagnosed before moving and that she had told me he was autistic (which she hadn't.) I tried to veer the conversation to what was being done for him to get him started on therapy. She kept going back to wanting me to admit that she'd already figured out his diagnosis before I left. I finally said "Look...I didn't call you to have an argument! If that's all you can do than sit there in your house alone and wonder what's going on. This is my son's life were talking about, not your Ego. Get over it or get lost!" And I hung up. Two months later, she called and apologized.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#50

Cruel-Unforgettable-Things-Parent-Said

nvrlernd2_reid Report

Add photo comments
POST
Raine Soo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mother thought that I was an alien. I'm not joking. She kept telling me that I wasn't like any of her friends' children. My father was cool with me, though. I think he got a kick out of me being a wise ass.

#51

Cruel-Unforgettable-Things-Parent-Said

PresumablyKelly Report

Add photo comments
POST
Raven DeathShade
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've been called "overdramatic" so much I can't even tell my parents how severely I have been impacted by them, and the fact I've quite literally been wishing that I could run far, far away from them or at least die. I'm scared they'll tell me I'm not actually depressed and I'm overreacting...

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#52

Cruel-Unforgettable-Things-Parent-Said

mrzippety Report

Add photo comments
POST
TheReader19
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope you're not like your mother; you're too good to be her