The Words I Grew Up With: Unraveling My Parents’ Struggle to Express Love
The Words I Grew Up With: Unraveling My Parents’ Struggle to Express Love Growing up, the phrases I heard from my parents shaped my understanding of love, family, and connection. “Toughen up,” “You’ll understand when you’re older,” or “We’re doing this for your own good” were common refrains in our household. For years, I accepted these words as expressions of care, but as an adult, I realized they often masked my parents’ struggle to express love in ways that felt warm or affirming. This realization wasn’t about blame—it was about understanding the complexities of emotional expression and how generational patterns influence the way love is communicated. In this article, I’ll share ten phrases I grew up hearing, reflecting on how they revealed my parents’ challenges with expressing love. Backed by psychological insights, I’ll explore why these phrases emerged, their impact, and how we can break the cycle to foster healthier emotional connections. If you’ve ever questione...