EP200: When Estranged Parents Ask Adult Children 'Why Did You Stay If It Was So Bad?'

In this episode of The Estranged Heart podcast, host Kreed Revere reflects on the journey of estrangement, exploring the complexities of parent-child relationships and the impact of trauma. The conversation delves into a harmful question posed by an estranged parent to their estranged adult child, examining the underlying issues of shame and misunderstanding. Kreed emphasizes the importance of recognizing trauma's effects, the need for genuine curiosity in healing, and the significance of leading with love and validation in relationships.TakeawaysUnderstanding trauma requires recognizing that it does not follow legal timelines.Children often stay in harmful relationships due to biological wiring for connection.Abuse in families can be intermittent and mixed with genuine love.Cognitive dissonance can prevent parents from acknowledging their role in estrangement.Healing the relationship requires a shift from defensiveness to genuine curiosity about the child's experience.⁠www.TheEstrangedHeart.com⁠Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠Work with Kreed: ⁠https://theestrangedheart.com/services⁠(private coaching, mediation, support groups, webinars, etc.)The Heart Collective: ⁠https://theestrangedheart.com/membership⁠Facebook Support Group for Estranged Moms (facilitated by Kreed)⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/estrangedmotherssupportgroup⁠To support the podcast and Kreed’s work with estranged and reconciled parents and adult children: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/kreedrevere⁠