Sharon Martin's Blog

For many estranged adult children, guilt is one of the most persistent and complex emotions to cope with. Even when the choice to create distance from parents is necessary for emotional health, a heavy weight of “shoulds” can linger. You might think, “I should be more forgiving,” or “I shouldn’t have cut ties.” These thoughts …

Why Estranged Adult Children Feel Guilty (and How to Cope) Read More »

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Do you drop everything when your parent calls, even if it means canceling your own plans? Do you frequently feel guilty if you try to set limits or put your own needs first? Or maybe you feel like your life isn’t fully your own because their needs and expectations always come first. If you grew …

Codependency with Parents: How to Set Boundaries and Reclaim Your Independence Read More »

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Letting go without closure from a narcissistic parent can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re waiting for an apology or acknowledgment that may never come. Narcissistic parents often prioritize their own needs over yours, using manipulation, emotional neglect, and control tactics to maintain their position. They typically lack empathy, avoid responsibility, and remain unwilling to recognize …

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If you’re reading this, you’re probably grappling with one of the most difficult decisions a person can face: cutting ties with family over politics. You might be questioning whether you’re overreacting, wondering if you’re being too sensitive, or feeling guilty about distancing yourself from people who raised you or shared your childhood. Let me be …

Cutting Ties with Family Over Politics: How to Know When It’s Time Read More »

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If you’re wondering how to stop being controlling, you’re not alone. Many people feel compelled to manage every detail of situations and other people’s choices. For example, you might feel anxious when someone else is driving, find yourself redoing tasks that others have already completed, or feel the urge to jump in with suggestions even …

How to Stop Being Controlling: Break Free from Micromanaging Everyone Read More »

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No parent expects to find themselves searching “how to deal with abusive adult child” in the middle of the night, yet here you are. The child you raised, worried about, and sacrificed for now leaves you walking on eggshells, questioning your reality, or dreading their phone calls. This isn’t the relationship you imagined when you …

How to Deal with an Abusive Adult Child: A Guide for Parents Read More »

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Going no contact with parents isn’t a decision anyone makes lightly. Yet when someone chooses this path to escape abusive or toxic family dynamics, they’re often met with judgment, disbelief, and harsh criticism. Society tends to view these decisions as impulsive, selfish, or evidence that someone hasn’t tried hard enough. The reality is far more …

Going No Contact with Parents: A Trauma-Informed Perspective Read More »

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Key Takeaways: We often associate grief with death. However, we can also experience grief when significant changes occur in our relationships with living people. This type of loss, known as a living loss, comes with unique challenges and emotional complexities—especially when society fails to understand or validate it. This is often the case for adult …

How to Grieve and Recover from Family Estrangement Read More »

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Highly sensitive people often feel emotions more deeply and are naturally attuned to the needs of others, but this strength can sometimes lead to codependency. In this post, we’ll explore the link between highly sensitive people and codependency. What Is a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)? Have you been told you’re “too sensitive” or that you …

Why Highly Sensitive People Are Prone to Codependency Read More »

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Estranging yourself from family is a profoundly painful experience. Adult children go no contact, or reduce contact, with family members for many reasons, including abuse (emotional, physical, or sexual), conflicting values, or a lack of acceptance regarding their identity. It’s a difficult decision, even when it’s the right one for your well-being. Creating a “chosen …

How to Create Chosen Family When You’re Estranged from Family Read More »

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