Welcome to the Very Well Mind podcast. I'm Mina B, and I'm a licensed social worker, mental health educator, an author of owning our struggles.

Usually, I'm chatting with experts, wellness advocates, and others about the power of community

care in improving mental health.

In this episode, though, we are taking a different approach.

Instead of having a guest, it's all about our audience because it's Ask Mina Anything

Day.

Listeners had the chance to write in and ask their burning questions, as well as share their

dilemmas, and I'm here to assist them in addressing their issues, provide advice, and share some insight. So let's dive

into some of these questions. Our first question that comes in says,

Dear Mina, I grew up in an abusive household and recently realized there was abuse from both parents.

One parent openly disliked me, while the other was physically abusive and also love-bombed.

After therapy and failed attempts to set boundaries, I cut off the openly abusive parent.

The other parent is sneaky about violating boundaries, plays the victim, and seeks sympathy.

It's difficult for me to limit interactions with them, and although I know

it's not healthy, I struggle with completely cutting them out because the abuse seems unintentional.

I don't know where to start. Discussions about boundaries become defensive and triggering,

and direct communication is the same. How can I protect my

own sanity when my boundaries are not respected or understood? And how can I protect my child from this

torment while still maintaining a relationship with their grandparent.

Dealing with abuse from a parent can be extremely difficult to navigate.

And what this listener is saying is something that a lot of people tend to struggle with in their homes. The idea that the abuse seems unintentional.

Sometimes people's behaviors are unintentional.

...