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Not every person is suited for parenthood, and that’s okay. What isn’t acceptable is choosing to raise a child even with the apparent lack of ability and willingness to do better.  

Today, we’re putting a spotlight on toxic mothers. You’ll see screenshots showing their blatant disrespect for boundaries and privacy. Some may have even risked their kids’ health and well-being. Be forewarned, as a few of these are disturbingly wrong. 

We’ve picked out these posts from this subreddit to highlight some of their behavior. Hopefully, none of you went through similar ordeals as children. If you’re a mom, let these bad parenting examples be your reminder of what to avoid at all costs.

#1

The Emojis Are The Icing On The Cake

The Emojis Are The Icing On The Cake

thedorchestra Report

#2

A Mother’s Love 💕

A Mother’s Love 💕

BadWolf_RX Report

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ADJ
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually she is kinda right, but I would never risk life of my kids in the name of population control...

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Minimizing a child’s feelings is a common toxic mom behavior. Some are guilty of telling their kids not to feel a certain way because it is wrong. According to Florida-based psychotherapist Dr. Tracy Hutchinson, this sends a message that feelings are better off suppressed. 

In an article for CNBC, Dr. Hutchinson recommends asking children what they think would make them feel better. She says this trains them to manage their emotions independently at a young age. 

#4

Homeopathic Side Effects

Homeopathic Side Effects

decapods Report

#5

You Can Do Everything Right And Still Fail

You Can Do Everything Right And Still Fail

Lucky-Worth Report

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#6

I Don't Have A Problem With Extended Nursing, But Omg Still Using Months?

I Don't Have A Problem With Extended Nursing, But Omg Still Using Months?

coppersense Report

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Ali H M Salehuddin
Community Member
3 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And here I am where my age should be counted by decades instead of by years.. a five decade old guy.

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It’s one thing to encourage your child to strive for excellence. Demanding perfection is when things can get problematic. Dr. Hutchinson says it could lead to confidence and self-esteem issues as they grow older. 

“Build mental strength in your kids by making sure expectations are realistic,” she wrote. She adds that setbacks will only teach kids how to bounce back and hopefully lead them to success in the future.

#8

A Water Bottle

A Water Bottle

MandyYaraaa Report

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#9

Couldn't Have Seen This Coming?

Couldn't Have Seen This Coming?

CrazieDiamond Report

Growing up with a toxic mom can have a profound effect on a person. According to licensed psychotherapist Christine Scott-Hudson, the inability to trust oneself is one of the few manifestations. 

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In her interview with Bustle, she says this mainly happens to people who dealt with a gaslighting mother. As a result, they could suffer a lifetime struggle with self-doubt.

The inability to maintain healthy relationships or a constant attraction to toxic individuals is another by-product of having a toxic mom. New Jersey-based therapist Vanessa Watson-Hill says it’s because emotionally unavailable mothers fail to model a healthy relationship for their children.  

#13

So How's Your Morning Going? ....i Thought Mine Was Bad Until I Read Hers, Damn

So How's Your Morning Going? ....i Thought Mine Was Bad Until I Read Hers, Damn

higginsnburke Report

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Whether it’s about picking a major for college or choosing an ice cream flavor, indecisiveness isn’t always innate. Sometimes, a mother’s negative behavior could be a catalyst for developing such a trait.

That’s because moms greatly influence decision-making. According to research, those who’ve used psychological control as a primary parenting tactic may negatively impact their child’s sense of judgment when they reach their adolescent years. 

#16

I Wonder Why This Isn’t Working

I Wonder Why This Isn’t Working

norcalgirl1822 Report

#18

So Nice To Read Something Funny Where No Harm Is Done To Children

So Nice To Read Something Funny Where No Harm Is Done To Children

baby_shark_attack Report

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Alyssa Phillips
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tbf, with 14 they said if he wasn't out in the next 10 minutes they would do a C-section. That was my motivation.

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People who grow up with toxic mothers carry that pain their entire life. This is the case for Randi Latzman, owner of the Surviving Mom blog. She created the site as an outlet for the abuse she endured. In one of her recent posts, she recalled the breaking point in their relationship.

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#19

She Has Quite A Burden To Bear

She Has Quite A Burden To Bear

boinkish Report

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Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You are responsible for your own faff and the goblins that emerge from it. Stop trying to make your daughter responsible for your choices.

Greymom
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“Faff and the goblins that emerge from it”😂😂😂. That’s priceless 😂😂

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Winnie the Moo
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the reason why the daughter is getting her tubes tied

Zoe Vokes
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Daughter listened for years to mum talking about how the whole purpose of being a woman is to give birth to more babies.

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Savahax
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What did I just read?? She made another human infant just to satisfy some esoteric cosmic ghost bullcrap???

Jon Steensen
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Poor baby girl. Imagine ever finding out that that is the reason why you are on this planet (valid for both 1.5 and 22).

Skara Brae
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder how wanted that little girl will feel growing up. On the topic older mothers having kids, I have a relative who is the (unplanned) youngest of six siblings. She did not do well at all in school. Religious, never married. I remember her as being a nice person, not stupid, but naive. When she was about 40 she disappeared for about 15 years, total no-contact, until she suddenly moved back to her home state. She won't say much about those years, but apparently she'd been living in the house of a man and woman who wouldn't let her leave. It's easy to think that maybe her mother shouldn't have had a kid at an older age, sparing the daughter from an ordeal like that. But on the other hand, I have no idea whether or how she may have helped with other people in some way during her life. I don't have a conclusion, I just ponder this sometimes.

Did I say that out loud? (he/him)cis/het
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think the age of the parents is necessarily relevant to your relatives' experience. I'm more concerned with you mentioning her being religious and naive.

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Sebastian Payne
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Give those poor souls a break, maybe they want a decade off before being reincarnated

Sam Reid
Community Member
2 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How do people even become like this??! This is the reason why so many don't want to have kids...bringing a kid into the world with people who have a mentality and behaviors like this is just...frightening to say the least ontop of so many other reasons.

Willin
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No one needs to be born into your family. What an ego trip.

Alecto76
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You don't need to have children for this. I'm positive my newest rescue is the reincarnation of my grandmother - nothing I do is right and she is wholly displeased with all of my life choices.

Fat Harry (Oi / You)
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How old is this post that someone who's 42 is gen X and someone who's 22 is millennial? I'm 42, turned 18 in 2000, which is the DEFINITION of millennial.

Daya Meyer
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

....aaaaand what about the karma or whatever asks for at least six souls? Who is the poor being giving birth to them because somebody have to do it. Mother, aunt, sister, granny...?

Papa
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I will wholeheartedly agree that the woman who posted this is bat-shlt crazy, but am I the only one who thinks 22 is too young to have that kind of irreversible surgery? People sometimes change their minds when they get older.

Cat Chat
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some people might and if they are unsure in any way, then using alternative bc is probably the better option. But some women are adamant and sure at that age, especially if they have medical issues or a high probability of passing on a genetic condition that they don't want to pass on.

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#20

Bed Is Actually Going To Be On Fire Now!

Bed Is Actually Going To Be On Fire Now!

secure_dot Report

#21

Homeschool Group Comforting A Mom Who Never Taught Her 14 Year Old The Months Of The Year Or His Tables

Homeschool Group Comforting A Mom Who Never Taught Her 14 Year Old The Months Of The Year Or His Tables

kookaburrasnest Report

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Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het
Community Member
3 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Congratulations, you are at fault for not teaching your child the basics whilst supposedly home schooling them. Dingleberries.

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“On that fateful day, she told me she didn’t like me and wanted nothing to do with me. I felt like a knife was plunged into my heart,” Latzman wrote. 

The author ultimately decided to break all contact after that argument. According to her, what hurt the most was her daughter’s broken relationship with her grandmother.

#22

Found: Sister Of The Wicked Witch Of The West

Found: Sister Of The Wicked Witch Of The West

ParentTales Report

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Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Umbrellas. Coats with hoods. Waterproof clothing. Do you think rain ever stopped us in the UK?

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#24

This Extreme Fear-Mongering Pisses Me Off So Much

This Extreme Fear-Mongering Pisses Me Off So Much

KyleRichXV Report

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Dealing with a toxic mom may feel like coming to a dead end. According to psychotherapist Brittany Boufard in the same Bustle interview, the parent in question may resort to the same cycle of denying your feelings and rejecting the idea of change. 

When the worst happens, most experts recommend seeking professional help. A licensed therapist or doctor could mediate the conversation as a third party. As Watson-Hill points out, a professional could also help adults gain a better understanding, especially about developing healthy boundaries.

#26

Wtf

Wtf

Careless_Channel_179 Report

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SCP 4666
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

remember, diseases are here for a reason which is population control

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#27

"Your Not A Real Mum Unless You Gave Vaginal Birth To It"

"Your Not A Real Mum Unless You Gave Vaginal Birth To It"

schmeowy Report

Now, we want to hear from you, dear reader. Do you know someone who grew up with a toxic mother? How has it affected their life? And how are they coping? We’d love to know your thoughts in the comments!

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#29

How Can I Be Needlessly Strict And Not Respect My Child's Bodily Autonomy But Make Him Not Hate Me Like I Hate My Mom For Doing The Same Thing?

How Can I Be Needlessly Strict And Not Respect My Child's Bodily Autonomy But Make Him Not Hate Me Like I Hate My Mom For Doing The Same Thing?

AutumnAkasha Report

#30

From A Mom Group On Instagram. I Guess People Without Children Are Not Allowed To Be Tired

From A Mom Group On Instagram. I Guess People Without Children Are Not Allowed To Be Tired

Geodudette2014 Report

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SheamusFanFrom1987
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yup, I'm childless and tired, of people like this dingbucket thinking childless people don't get tired. Here's to you too, dingbucket -_-

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Note: this post originally had 93 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.