What are toxic grandparents?

A toxic grandparent is someone with an over-inflated ego and a lack of empathy for other people’s feelings. That includes people closest to them — their family. Even the slightest disagreement can be perceived as an attack, and all of the sudden grandma is “sick,” or grandpa is having “chest pains.”

What is it called when a parent plays the victim?

Playing the victim is another form of maternal control and often includes scapegoating a child who’s supposedly to blame. A mother’s role-playing has direct effects on the child that can be long-lasting and highly damaging.

What do you call your grandmother’s brother in later years?

In my own family, my grandmother’s brother lived with her in their later years. We always called him Uncle Harold and if someone asked how he was related, we would say he was great-uncle Harold (not grand-uncle Harold). In turn, I’m now referred to as a great-aunt to my niece’s son.

What to do if your grandparent is a toxic grandparent?

When the toxic grandparent is hurting your child (emotionally or otherwise) and refuses to acknowledge the harm and/or stop, cutting ties with them may be your only option. As painful as it is, no contact with a toxic family member is the only sure way to stop the abuse, for good.

Do you brush it off when grandparents mistreat you?

If you ever dated a jerk, you know that people are quick to tell you to “dump his sorry ass.” But if a family member is mistreating you, they say: “Just brush it off.” It’s even worse when grandparents are involved. As a culture, we place importance on having an extended family, and grandparents are a big part of that.

Why does my grandparent say I don’t remember that?

Whenever you bring up painful moments from your childhood, the grandparent gaslightsyou by saying: “I don’t remember that,” or “You always exaggerate!” Quite simply, the grandparent is incapable of reflecting on their flaws and wrongdoings.