PinnedMember-onlyLet’s Talk About the Time My Mother Abandoned Me on the Side of the Road.When you have a narcissistic mother, every memory is tinged with sadness. — Every memory I have from the ages of 17–18 is contained in a little black book. The cover, smooth, bears bold, metallic numbers along the binding. The year I graduated from high school. In the center, the name of my school is emblazoned with the familiar cardinal beside it. It’s…Personal13 min readPersonal13 min read
Published inPractical Growth·PinnedWrite For Practical GrowthOne of the most popular growth publications is looking for new writers. — Welcome to Practical Growth Practical Growth publishes evidence-centered and thought-provoking articles and essays that encourage personal and familial healing and growth. We seek to break the pattern of generational trauma and the stigmas that exist around love, relationship, and recovery. Who does this apply to? Everyone with a growth mindset. Every survivor who has…Writing6 min readWriting6 min read
1 day agoMember-onlyI Was My Mother’s Most Expensive Rescue DogAnd I was her most disappointing one too. — I’ve spent years talking about my mother on the internet. It’s clear that she was a malignant narcissist, covert in nature, and seething with envy and irritation at her only daughter (me). When I tell my stories, I lay the bones of the patterns bare. Who couldn’t see it? The…Family7 min readFamily7 min read
3 days agoMember-onlyAre You Ever Going to Heal? Or Have You Been Sold A Fantasy?The truth about this crazy healing journey that you’re on. — Looking back now, I realize I had all the wrong intentions when it came to therapy. I spent years, off and on, in different chairs, talking about some of my hurts and swiftly avoiding others. I was honest where I was concerned, but vague with all the rest. Now, I…Psychology5 min readPsychology5 min read
6 days agoMember-onlyI Couldn’t See My Mother For Who She Was Until She Was DeadSometimes, the veil doesn’t lift over the eyes of children until it makes its final lift over the lives of our parents. — People have a habit of confusing the facts when they first come across my stories. They see the horror show that was my childhood, and then they see the self-possessed person who is standing before them now. They make a lot of assumptions. They shouldn’t. I’ve done a lot of…Personal8 min readPersonal8 min read
Sep 20Member-onlyIt’s Not a Child’s Job to Heal Their Parent with Unconditional LoveWhen someone opens up, don’t act the way these two “horror shows” in my comment section decided to. — After years of writing and talking about my trauma on the internet, I don’t consider myself easily surprised. That all changed, however, when I logged on a few days ago to see a comment section that truly shocked me. The comments were on a post I had recently written. The…Childhood Trauma8 min readChildhood Trauma8 min read
Sep 18Member-onlyPeople Who Say This Aren’t Helping Trauma Survivors As Much As They Think They AreThe way we talk about trauma matters. Change the language you use if you really want to support yourself and other survivors. — Without a doubt, there are few people who annoy me more than trauma validators. What is a “trauma validator”? Well, in the simplest terms, they are well-meaning people who say really gross things that validate the horrible experiences that happen around them. It’s not really their fault. …Mental Health6 min readMental Health6 min read
Sep 14Member-onlyRuby Franke: A Deep Dive on This Narcissistic MotherThis could be an important moment to shift the conversation. — The Ruby Franke case continues to stun and shock us all. As if her own crimes weren’t bad enough, we’ve now seen Franke (with the help of her business partner, Jodi Hildebrandt) point the finger at her 12-year-old son. What will happen next? This isn’t just some made-for-TV fodder. This…Ruby Franke2 min readRuby Franke2 min read
Sep 13Member-onlyRuby Franke: The Monster Mom of Youtube Finally ExposedWith the notorious 8 Passengers Youtube now gone, what’s next in the sage for this Monster Mom of Youtube? — Ruby Franke, the popular “momfluencer” and co-creator of digital series 8 Passengers, appeared in court recently to defend herself against 6 felony charges of child abuse. It was another in a long line of shocking appeareances that left audiences scratching their heads and sounding off in absolute shock.Ruby Franke6 min readRuby Franke6 min read
Sep 12Member-onlyHere’s A Reality Check On Your Suicide Hotline PostsAnd a few reasons why they don’t make you a good person. — The first time I called a suicide hotline was a few months after my mom died. Alone in a foreign country, with no family and even fewer friends, I was in a total state of collapse. …Suicide6 min readSuicide6 min read
