Having a loving, caring family is not a given. You can be so used to your daily life that you don’t notice the problems that look obvious to others. However, when you look at your situation from an outsider’s perspective, you might notice some glaring red flags that you previously missed. Some things cannot be unlearned or unseen.
The members of the AskReddit community opened up about some of the most sensitive experiences from their past. They shared the moments the scales finally fell from their eyes and they realized that their family was toxic. Read on for their vulnerable and powerful stories.
Warning, Pandas, many of these stories hit hard. Some of them can make you feel very uncomfortable if you’ve experienced something similar in the past.
#1
When I realized what sex was and that my family shouldn't be doing it to me. Not kidding, f****d up childhood.
110points
#2
My therapist stopped trying to get us to communicate and started giving me tips to survive until I could move out.
103points
#3
I was 8 and sitting in my new babysitter's apartment having an asthma attack. I was very allergic to cats and my mom had left me with her despite knowing my allergy and knowing that she had nine cats.
What was so important that she leave me there? She wanted to f**k my older sister's boyfriend and needed me out of the way. She hadn't even sent my inhaler with me.
I nearly died. My sister found out and got in a fistfight with my mom in the hospital hallway while respiratory therapy was working with me. They both caught an STD from the dude and I learned to always have my inhaler on me.
What was so important that she leave me there? She wanted to f**k my older sister's boyfriend and needed me out of the way. She hadn't even sent my inhaler with me.
I nearly died. My sister found out and got in a fistfight with my mom in the hospital hallway while respiratory therapy was working with me. They both caught an STD from the dude and I learned to always have my inhaler on me.
Report
101points
‘Toxic’ is a word that gets thrown around left and right these days without paying much attention to the context. However, the stories that the AskReddit community shared in the viral thread are genuine examples of what toxicity actually looks like in a family setting.
At its core, toxic behavior is linked to dysfunction, neglect, manipulation, and abuse. True toxicity can wreak havoc on a person’s physical, mental, and emotional health, make them feel used, and destroy their self-esteem. Just as positive relationships can make us happier, healthier, and more resilient to stress, negative ones have the opposite effect.
Healthline states that many people may not even realize the effects their family environment had on them during their childhood until they become adults. Some of the signs of potentially toxic families include things like your needs not being met, feeling controlled, and high expectations to meet unrealistic standards.
#4
When I moved in with my SO and noticed she called her family for things I would never call my own for because she actually likes them and doesn't see communicating with them as an obligation, but rather because she wanted them to be part of her everyday life.
90points
#5
I had my graduation from engineering the same day as my mother's birthday. I, of course, had nothing to do with the date choosing.
My mother said I "ruined her birthday" so.she scheduled her birthday party to be on my actual birthday.
Her birthday is March, mine is August.
My mother said I "ruined her birthday" so.she scheduled her birthday party to be on my actual birthday.
Her birthday is March, mine is August.
89points
#6
We had a missionary family staying with us, and the parents actually got input from their kids. The entire concept of being allowed to have my own feelings and thoughts was so foreign. My parents also treated us so much better when we had guests. Not getting beaten was so nice.
Report
82points
Other signs include unhealthy substance use among family members, inappropriate touching, name-calling, gaslighting, extreme criticism, and chronic disagreements.
As per Enlightened Recovery, toxic family environments might include kids having to care for their younger siblings, ensuring that their substance-using parents get to bed safely, and providing emotional support to grown-ups.
Other red flags include having to do excessive chores and cooking meals from a very young age, feeling unwanted or unloved, and having your basic needs unmet, from a lack of food or proper clothing to not being picked up after school.
#7
My birthday: "I got you a pack of socks, but I realized I can get them cheaper from somewhere else, so I'm going to return them."
My brother two weeks later: "I think I'd like archery, will you get me this 600 dollar bow?"
Parents: "oh hell yes!"
I never got the socks.
My brother two weeks later: "I think I'd like archery, will you get me this 600 dollar bow?"
Parents: "oh hell yes!"
I never got the socks.
79points
#8
When My mother threw a fit that my son is so involved in his dad's life, my mother and father have been separated for a long time because she did the same thing to him. She decided that I was 'neglecting' my son because I didn't want to limit what he does with his dad. He only gets to see his dad two days a week because of his messed up work schedule and I'll give him extra days if he gets them off. I'm sorry if I won't repeat my families mistakes and want my son to have a father.
Report
78points
#9
When my mom yelled at me for being depressed. She was saying how rude and inconvenient it is for everyone around me that I was depressed. She was screaming so hard that her face was all red. She screamed at me frequently. She would always wait until I was in the car with her because I would be unable to leave. I stopped talking to her after that and she played the victim. She apparently was suffering because she was “abandoned by her daughter”. No one in my family wanted to hear my side of things, no one reached out to check in on me. I was made out to be the bad selfish daughter. Now, I don’t have a relationship with anyone in my family. I cut both my parents off after I realized they both will not change or get help or see they ever did anything wrong. It’s been tough to deal with the emotions of it all, especially the emotions I felt when I was younger and in their care. I’ve been working on it with therapy for a few years now. But it’s been a necessary decision for me to cut those ties. So I can focus on myself and my growth and healing the parts of me that have been broken from my past.
EDIT: wow I’ve never had a post get so many likes! It’s my first time really putting it out there like this. It’s nice to know I’m not alone in the struggle but also unfortunate others have had to deal with a similar situation. And it’s nice to feel seen and heard and validated. Family s**t can be tough! I hope everyone who relates is feeling strong and doing well! ❤️❤️❤️.
EDIT: wow I’ve never had a post get so many likes! It’s my first time really putting it out there like this. It’s nice to know I’m not alone in the struggle but also unfortunate others have had to deal with a similar situation. And it’s nice to feel seen and heard and validated. Family s**t can be tough! I hope everyone who relates is feeling strong and doing well! ❤️❤️❤️.
Report
77points
Therapy doesn’t involve someone waving a magic wand to instantly ‘solve’ all of your family issues. Therapy requires lots of difficult, uncomfortable, and often emotional work with mental health professionals over many years. It requires being vulnerable, facing your demons, and reframing your past experiences and traumas. It’s worth it in the end, though.
So, don’t be scared of reaching out to a therapist if your toxic family environment continues to haunt you to this very day.
#10
When I got put in a children's home at 6 and the other kids there were scared of the stories I would tell about my home life.
68points
#11
My first memory is of my parents fighting when I was 3. I remember my mom looking at my dad, and yelling “This is why we’re getting a divorce”. They separated when I was two, but took some time to figure out custody, as well as the actual finalization of their divorce. My mom was always so angry and would scream, throw things, and tell me consistently she didn’t want me around. I finally had a breaking point with my mom the day before I turned 17. We got into a huge fight and I finally realized that she was just taking out the aggression of her past on me. I realized she had been blocking out the abuse she put me through, and finally brought it to her attention. I know her mother was an abusive alcoholic, and she kept perpetuating this cycle of abuse. What triggered the whole realization, was when I dated someone for the first time when I was 16, and my bf’s mom treated me like her own. It was the first time I felt welcome in a home, she made sure I ate because she knew I wasn’t eating properly at home, she always had a bed made for me Incase I ever needed a place to stay, and would always check in with my bf to make sure I was okay when I went home. I moved out the month I graduated high school, and I have not gone back to her house.
67points
#12
My dad screamed at me for 20 minutes when I was 11, called me a b***h and told me to get the hell out of his house when I casually mentioned we seem to argue more than other families.
Edit, my heart hurts for everyone who shared their trauma. I'm giving you all a big hug right now. Things can get better, and I'm hoping it does for all of you. When you can, address your trauma, reach out and talk to someone. My dad regrets not having talked to someone about what he went through as a kid because of how much it hurt his own family. The problem with taking the stance of simply "refusing to be my (blank)", is you create a whole new set of bad behaviors because you are trying to over compensate. Freedom is acknowledging that in some ways you may be like (blank), but that doesn't make you them.
Edit, my heart hurts for everyone who shared their trauma. I'm giving you all a big hug right now. Things can get better, and I'm hoping it does for all of you. When you can, address your trauma, reach out and talk to someone. My dad regrets not having talked to someone about what he went through as a kid because of how much it hurt his own family. The problem with taking the stance of simply "refusing to be my (blank)", is you create a whole new set of bad behaviors because you are trying to over compensate. Freedom is acknowledging that in some ways you may be like (blank), but that doesn't make you them.
Report
66points
Which of these stories affected you the most, Pandas? Have you known anyone who has had to live in a truly toxic household? How would you support someone who’s gone through such traumatic experiences?
On the other hand, how do you ensure a healthy and happy environment at home? Share your thoughts in the comments.
#13
For reference, I’m a Boomer, so I’ve seen a ton of changes here in the dear old US of A.
When I was in grade school, we were on vacation in Arkansas, driving by a building I must assume was a diner/burger joint of some kind bc it was visible from the road. Even more conspicuous was the enormous sign reading “COLOREDS SERVED IN THE REAR” with a big arrow.
I was learning to read and, practicing, read the sign aloud. My father, who was driving, nodded his head and said, “Exactly as it should be.”
Even though I was only six, that was my wake-up call.
When I was in grade school, we were on vacation in Arkansas, driving by a building I must assume was a diner/burger joint of some kind bc it was visible from the road. Even more conspicuous was the enormous sign reading “COLOREDS SERVED IN THE REAR” with a big arrow.
I was learning to read and, practicing, read the sign aloud. My father, who was driving, nodded his head and said, “Exactly as it should be.”
Even though I was only six, that was my wake-up call.
64points
#14
When my overly religious grandma tried to defend her blatant favoritism of my older sister by telling me that I was “born evil”.
63points
#15
When my friend pointed out that most people are allowed to shower every day without having to negotiate it.
59points
#16
The family from my dad
My DEAR (note the sarcasm) cousin Stephannie made a peanut cake (the flour had peanuts, it had peanut butter, peanut chocolate and peanut chunks) on her twin's 17th birthday and obviously hers, I'm very allergic peanuts and she knew it. I refused to eat it for obvious reasons, Stephannie shed some crocodile tears as she said that she had lovingly made the cake so we can all eat it.
Between my Aunt Karen, her husband and my paternal grandparents they forced me to eat a HUGE piece of that cake while Sophie (Stephannie's twin and birthday girl that day) called out for emergencies outside the house.
I almost died, but everyone who forced me to eat that piece of cake spent only 3 years in jail because "they did not know about my allergy and I was a rebellious teenager who was very picky about food."
Some of my father's brothers and sisters (who were at the birthday and did nothing) say it was too immature of me to sue them after they nearly k*lled me.
**I was 14 years old, Stephannie and Sophie that day they turned 17.**.
My DEAR (note the sarcasm) cousin Stephannie made a peanut cake (the flour had peanuts, it had peanut butter, peanut chocolate and peanut chunks) on her twin's 17th birthday and obviously hers, I'm very allergic peanuts and she knew it. I refused to eat it for obvious reasons, Stephannie shed some crocodile tears as she said that she had lovingly made the cake so we can all eat it.
Between my Aunt Karen, her husband and my paternal grandparents they forced me to eat a HUGE piece of that cake while Sophie (Stephannie's twin and birthday girl that day) called out for emergencies outside the house.
I almost died, but everyone who forced me to eat that piece of cake spent only 3 years in jail because "they did not know about my allergy and I was a rebellious teenager who was very picky about food."
Some of my father's brothers and sisters (who were at the birthday and did nothing) say it was too immature of me to sue them after they nearly k*lled me.
**I was 14 years old, Stephannie and Sophie that day they turned 17.**.
Report
59points
#17
When my ex sister-in-law broke into my house and started painting my living room while I was at work. Apparently, she didn't like the colour and that would just *ruin* her Christmas.
Report
55points
#18
I was 9 and I was really nice to poor guy selling shirts out of the back of his truck. My dad pulled me away and told me directly "it's great to be nice to people, Chris, but be mean too. You want people to be a little scared of you"
Even at 9 I was like "bruh that's not... Great" and it really was an interaction that shaped our relationship. I went on to teach, have a vibrant friend group (every year a dozen of us meet up for new years and were in the 10th year this year!), and generally I love people. It's in my work and in every fibre of my life.
He... Died alone of an overdose about 10 years ago. The funeral would've been basically empty if not for all the friends who came to console me.
Even at 9 I was like "bruh that's not... Great" and it really was an interaction that shaped our relationship. I went on to teach, have a vibrant friend group (every year a dozen of us meet up for new years and were in the 10th year this year!), and generally I love people. It's in my work and in every fibre of my life.
He... Died alone of an overdose about 10 years ago. The funeral would've been basically empty if not for all the friends who came to console me.
Report
55points
#19
When my mother and I were on a heated phone call with each other and she said how much I "hurt her" and I had the courage to say "well what about how you hurt me?" And her response was "Well yeah I MEANT to hurt you!". Big eye opener that one.
53points
#20
I have a lot of these and they're all pretty crazy, but I'll go with the first one. When I was six years old, my aunt (who was my guardian), faked my grandmothers death. She lied to all of us. Local churches, her friends, and strangers for sympathy and money. She wrote to multiple people asking for support. She needed money for a headstone and the funeral, etc. People bought into it.
You can imagine our surprise a year later when we received a letter from our grandma saying she was coming to see us.
You can imagine our surprise a year later when we received a letter from our grandma saying she was coming to see us.
50points