5 Bulletproof Tips For Dealing With Toxic Family Members

Reyna Charles

 / 

,
5 Bulletproof Tips For Dealing With Toxic Family Members

Growing up in the presence of toxic family members can breed a number of emotional, mental, and interpersonal problems in the long term. However, these tips for dealing with toxic family members might be able to help you protect your sanity.

For example, being dominated by a family member all your life can wreak havoc on your decision-making process, making you feel anxious and doubtful when you need to make your own decisions as a grown-up. Hence, it is crucial that you deal with your toxic family before it’s too late.

It would be very convenient if we could just shrug off their toxic influence and go forward with our lives. But more often than not, we have to deal with toxic family members all our lives, especially in get-togethers and family gatherings, which can easily leave you hurt and awkward if not handled tactfully.

In this article, we will look at 5 useful and bulletproof ways of dealing with toxic family members.

Read 8 Ways To Gracefully Survive A Toxic Family During The Holidays

5 Bulletproof Tips For Dealing With Toxic Family Members

1. Don’t Be Aggrieved

Remember the bully from your school days? A toxic family member operates exactly in that manner. They enjoy being mean and unkind, not just to you, but to any and every person they get a chance to mess with.

It helps to remind yourself that the problem lies in the family member, and not you. Possibly, this person has many insecurities and says hurtful things to feel better about himself/herself. Not asking you to sympathize with a toxic family member! The point is, don’t take his behavior personally. 

Whenever you feel attacked by such a person, use it as a chance to sharpen your skills of not taking things personally- it is a very useful skill to master that proves helpful in interactions outside the family too.

2. Stick Up For Yourself

This is probably one of the most important tips for dealing with toxic family members.

When you feel ready, go up to your family member and express your dislike for his behavior towards you. No need to be aggressive, but make sure to use an assertive tone.

Remember, communicating your distaste for the way they treat you might not change it. That’s alright. Another person’s behavior was never under your control.

The only thing you have control over is how you respond to toxic behavior. By being quiet when a toxic family member bullies you, you are allowing them to think of you as a weak person. Hence, you need to stand your ground, so they know you aren’t accepting their crooked behavior.

Read Why It’s Okay To Cut Toxic Family Members Out of Your Life

3. Make Them Face The Natural Consequences Of Their Actions

If you are thinking about how to handle toxic family members, then this strategy is one of the best things you can do.

We tend to have a weak spot for family members, even if they are toxic, and don’t like to make them face the consequences of their actions. 

But look, just because they are family doesn’t mean they are above the rules. If they can’t treat you with respect, they deserve an appropriate reaction from your end.

Don’t hesitate to take legal action if the situation demands it. Suppose, you have been physically abused by a family member, or someone from your family has damaged your property and refuses to pay up for it. The natural and right thing to do under such circumstances is to take legal action.

4. Spend Time With Positive People

Again, this is one of the most useful tips for dealing with toxic family members.

Being surrounded by positive people is essential to remain self-assured as you battle with the toxic influence of your family. This is even more important when you are dealing with a family member, say your parent, who has been ill-treating you all your life.

Assuming that you’re an adult now, make good use of your freedom and hang out with your positive-thinking, supportive friends as much as possible. In their company, you will understand the meaning of proper treatment and what being respected feels like.

5. You Can Forgive, But Never Forget

“Forgive others, not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve peace.” – Jonathan Lockwood Huie

How to deal with toxic family members? If you carry hatred and anger in your heart for your toxic family, you are basically letting them win the war.

But this doesn’t mean you should throw away all your negative feelings towards them into the wind, as these negative feelings are crucial to inculcate protective caution.

You need to develop a mindset where you always remember their nature but forgive their behavior. Turn your revengeful thoughts into awareness that protects you as well as others from similar attacks in the future.

Related: Cutting Off Toxic Family Members: Why Cutting Ties With Toxic Family Is Necessary

Did you find this post helpful? We hope these tips for dealing with toxic family members end up helping you protect your happiness and mental health. Please pass it along to help others and share your thoughts in the comments!

5 Bulletproof Tips For Dealing With Toxic Family Members
5 Bulletproof Tips For Dealing With Toxic Family Members Pin
toxic family members

— Share —

, , , , , , , , , , ,

— About the Author —

Reyna Charles

Hi there! This is Reyna Charles- a bookworm based in Alpharetta who is passionate about translating her ideas into words that help create more awareness. Besides my love for writing, I love capturing beautiful moments in my camera.

Responses

  1. mobina Avatar
    mobina

    It felt good, when I came to know that I am not alone going through this…
    Pro tips, good job.

Older Comments
1 … 3 4 5

Leave a Reply



Up Next

What Is Unintentional Gaslighting? The Surprising Ways You Might Be Gaslighting Without Knowing It

What Is Unintentional Gaslighting? How Good Intentions Can Go Awry

Ever found yourself questioning your own reality after interaction with someone you know? Unintentional gaslighting can sneak into conversations, leaving you feeling disoriented and invalidated, even when no harm is intended.

Accidental, unintended or unconscious gaslighting in relationships can make you doubt your own thoughts, feelings, or even sanity. Someone’s words or actions can make you feel uncertain, dazed & confused without even realizing it.

Gaslighting, a term derived from a movie titled “Gaslight,” refers to the act of manipulating someone into doubting their own experiences and perceptions. But what is unintentional gaslighting?

Let’s explore this lesser-known concept and shed light on



Up Next

10 Covert Signs Of A Psychopath: Don’t Be Fooled By Their “Nice” Behavior

Signs Of A Psychopath: Look Out For These Sneaky Signs!

Have you ever wondered what lurks beneath the surface of those seemingly nice, charming and friendly individuals? You know the type—the ones who effortlessly wear a smile, say all the right things but leave you feeling a bit unsettled and uneasy. Well, my friend, get ready because we’re about to discuss the signs of a psychopath.

Don’t worry, I’m not here to scare you, but let’s face it, we all love a good psychological puzzle, right? So, let’s uncover the sneaky signs of a psychopath, the signs that separate the “nice” from the truly dangerous.

Brace yourself, because what you’re about to discover might just blow your mind. Let’s explore more about people who are nice but psychopathic.

Related



Up Next

7 Red Flags Of A Future Faking Narcissist: Beyond The Façade

Red Flags Of A Future Faking Narcissist: Beyond The Façade

Have you interacted with someone who promises you the world, but when the time comes to do good on their promise, they leave you high and dry? Chances are you might be dealing with a future faking narcissist.

Future faking narcissists are charming and diabolical at the same time, and are experts at lying through their teeth. They will paint a picture-perfect image of themselves in front of you and will promise you a beautiful future. However, it’s all smokes and mirrors.

In this article, we are going to talk about the signs of future faking narcissists, so that it’s easier for you to understand when someone is genuinely interested in building a future with you and when someone is simply playing you.



Up Next

Are Your Parents Manipulating You? 4 Warning Signs Of Manipulative Parents And How To Break Free 

Signs of Manipulative Parents You Can't Ignore

Have you ever found yourself constantly doubting your own thoughts and feelings, or feeling guilty for asserting your needs? Does it have anything to do with your parents’ words or behaviors? If so, it may be important to identify the signs of manipulative parents.

Some toxic parents can be masterminds of manipulation, who know all the tricks to keep you under their thumb. They can easily disguise their behavior and create a deep negative impact on their children’s emotional well-being and development. 

Being aware of manipulative parents, recognizing the things they say, and knowing the signs are essential steps towards breaking free from their influence.

Understanding Manipulative Parents



Up Next

How To Deal With Verbal Harassment In The Workplace? 10 Effective Coping Mechanisms

How To Deal With Verbal Harassment? Best Coping Mechanisms

Imagine you’re at work, minding your own business, when all of the sudden, you find yourself in a tough spot. Your coworker, well, let’s call him Mr. Insensitive, starts hurling hurtful comments at you like they’re going for the gold medal in a stand-up comedy gig. So, how to deal with verbal harassment?

Dealing with verbal harassment in the workplace is like being trapped in a never-ending loop of awkwardness and frustration. But don’t worry, because together we’re going to look at how to deal with verbal harassment, because ain’t nobody got time for that nonsense.

Before we get down to understanding strategies regarding how to handle verbal harassment in the workplace, let’s find out what is verbal harassment and some verbal harassment examples.



Up Next

How To Deal With An Obsessive Ex That Won’t Leave You Alone: 5 Steps You Can Take

How To Deal With Obsessive Ex: Urgent Steps You Can Take

Dealing with an obsessive ex is one of the most horrible experiences one can go through. What are the best ways to handle obsessive people? What are the effective steps you can take when it comes to dealing with an obsessive ex? Let’s find out!

There are certain people who just can’t handle being dumped. They go crazy. They hate losing their “control” and “power” over their partners.

Recently my good friend ended an abusive relationship. Thankfully he realised he was in a relationship with a narcissist and that his only way forward was without her. Soon after the relationship ended, he found a new partner — he was ecstatic, he was just about to ride off into the sunset with his sweetheart.

There was one issue — his e



Up Next

7 Signs Someone Is Projecting Onto You: Are You Bearing Someone Else’s Burden?

Signs Someone Is Projecting Their Emotional Baggage On You

Have you ever been in a conversation with someone and it felt like they were accusing you of things that didn’t seem like you? It’s as if they’re dumping their own issues on you, leaving you scratching your head, wondering what is happening. Well, this is just one of the many signs someone is projecting their emotional baggage on you.

You’re gradually realizing that you are being blamed for things that’re not your fault at all. You are being accused to be the kind of person you are not. It’s as though they’re running their private movie theater, and you’ve become their projection screen.

But before we get int

— Follow Us —