Does it ever feel like you had to raise yourself?
This is, unfortunately, a familiar experience to many of us (*raises hand!
*), and one that deserves care and attention.
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What does it mean to be emotionally immature, exactly?
This doesn’t mean your parents are bad people.
This created a level of stress and trauma Im still recovering from.
But Ive also learned that there is hope.
Well also look at ways of creating more meaningful relationships in your adult life.
Its common to feel confused and be filled with self-doubt about this.
So, how do you know that your parents exhibited signs of emotional immaturity?
They might say things like, You think your day was bad?
You have no idea what Im dealing with!
Lack of Boundaries
Another sign of an emotionally immature parent is a notable lack of boundaries.
What are the causes of emotional immaturity in parents?
Often, parents develop emotional immaturity as a result of their own upbringings.
Dr. Stevenson says that one way to do this is to practice setting boundaries with your emotionally immature parents.
This might mean limiting how much you see them, or in what circumstances you see them.
Therapy
Psychotherapycan be an essential component for healing from emotionally immature parents.
But its possible to learn to build healthier relationships as an adult.
This requires a great deal ofself-reflection, self-awareness, and perhaps therapy or support groups, says Dr. What does this involve?
I saw so much of myself and my mother in particular in her words, Dr. Stevenson says.
Keels emphasizes the importance of having a lovingsupport systemas you navigate the healing process.
Growing up with emotionally immature parents can leave you feeling alone, misunderstood, and unsupported, she says.
She suggests surrounding yourself with people who understand you and accept you for how you are.
They can fill the void of emotional support that you may have been lacking from your parents, Dr. We also might develop our own issues with emotional immaturity.
But its possible to break the cycle.
2016;7:575-584. doi:10.2147/AMEP.S117915
American Psychological Association.Emotional Immaturity.
APA Dictionary of Psychology.
APA Dictionary of Psychology.
