BuzzFeed compiled 27 Reddit users’ accounts of behaviors they considered signs of a toxic mother-child relationship, including treating boundaries as attacks, constant criticism, guilt-tripping, favoritism, the silent treatment and cruelty in private.
The comments were responses to a Reddit user’s question about toxic mothers. Examples included a mother casting a child’s achievements as proof of her own parenting, mocking their appearance or eating, sharing adult relationship matters with them, and leaving during hard times before returning years later as if nothing had happened.
The article also lists the National Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-422-4453, for people concerned that a child is experiencing or may be in danger of abuse. It says the service is available by call or text in more than 140 languages.
