Not all parents are nurturing and loving, and some adults continue to endure emotional abuse or mistreatment from their parents. If this is the case for you, you might be wondering why you even bother staying connected to parents who constantly put you down or manipulate you. Wanting to maintain a relationship with emotionally abusive … Why You Maintain a Relationship with Emotionally Abusive Parents Read More » The post Why You Maintain a Relationship with Emotionally Abusive Parents appeared first on Live Well with Sharon Martin ..read more

Do you have difficulty identifying and trusting your emotions? Do you feel unfulfilled, disconnected, or empty? Do you feel like your needs—or you—don’t matter? Do you sense that you’re different than everyone else, but you can’t put your finger on what’s wrong? Childhood Emotional Neglect is a powerful experience, but one that often goes unnoticed … What Is Childhood Emotional Neglect? Read More » The post What Is Childhood Emotional Neglect? appeared first on Live Well with Sharon Martin ..read more

Are you a helper, fixer, or rescuer? Are you trying to help or change someone who don’t want to change? Watching a friend or family member struggling with a problem or making “bad” decisions is hard. You naturally want to help. You want to make your friends and family’s lives easier and more joyful. You … Stop Trying to Help People Who Don’t Want to Change Read More » The post Stop Trying to Help People Who Don’t Want to Change appeared first on Live Well with Sharon Martin ..read more

Mother’s Day is painful when you’re not close to your mother. For many, Mother’s Day is a stark reminder of a relationship that’s fractured, distant, or even non-existent. Strained mother-child relationships are not uncommon, yet our communities, families, and the media persist in portraying mothers as angels and mother-child relationships as unbreakable. The pressure to … Mother’s Day When You Aren’t Close to Your Mother Read More » The post Mother’s Day When You Aren’t Close to Your Mother appeared first on Live Well with Sharon Martin ..read more

Being dependent on others is often portrayed negatively. Individualistic cultures stress the importance of being self-reliant. We’re told not to be too needy because it’s unattractive and burdens others. And depending on others feels vulnerable; there’s a chance that they will let us down. We all depend on others. Humans are social creatures; we crave connection, … Cultivate Connection, Not Codependency Read More » The post Cultivate Connection, Not Codependency appeared first on Live Well with Sharon Martin ..read more

Growing up in a dysfunctional family can cause lasting wounds. For adult children who grew up in these environments, healing can be challenging, and navigating relationships with “toxic” family members can be a constant source of pain. A key part of the healing process is setting and sticking to boundaries. Boundaries are essential for stopping … Boundaries for Healing Childhood Trauma Read More » The post Boundaries for Healing Childhood Trauma appeared first on Live Well with Sharon Martin ..read more

Setting boundaries with your family can stir up old emotional wounds. Learning to manage your triggers will help you set more effective boundaries. What are Boundaries and Why Are They Important? Boundaries are the invisible lines we draw to define what’s acceptable and unacceptable behavior. They encompass how much of ourselves we share emotionally and … Managing Triggers When Setting Boundaries with Family Read More » The post Managing Triggers When Setting Boundaries with Family appeared first on Live Well with Sharon Martin ..read more

Growing up in a dysfunctional family has a lasting impact on us. Many adult children of dysfunctional families underestimate the effects of being raised in a dysfunctional family. Perhaps it’s wishful thinking. Perhaps it’s denial. More likely it’s shame and simply not knowing that adult children of dysfunctional families, as a group, tend to struggle … 11 Characteristics of Adult Children of Dysfunctional Families Read More » The post 11 Characteristics of Adult Children of Dysfunctional Families appeared first on Live Well with Sharon Martin ..read more

Free yourself from enabling and self-sacrifice and give yourself the care you need and deserve. Have you been putting yourself last? Are you so busy caring for everyone else that there’s no time and energy for yourself? Well, you’re not alone! Lots of us are stretched to the max. Perhaps you’re happy to take care … Goodbye Codependency, Hello Self-Care Read More » The post Goodbye Codependency, Hello Self-Care appeared first on Live Well with Sharon Martin ..read more

This article addresses something that impacts many of us— the lasting effects of growing up in a dysfunctional family. Growing up in a dysfunctional family can be lonely, scary, and confusing and children in dysfunctional families don’t have a typical childhood. What is a dysfunctional family? Let’s start by defining what we mean by “dysfunctional … The Effects of Growing Up in a Dysfunctional Family Read More » The post The Effects of Growing Up in a Dysfunctional Family appeared first on Live Well with Sharon Martin ..read more