Day: April 28, 2023

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The Road to Recovery: Overcoming the Trauma of Growing Up with a Narcissistic Parent

The Narcissistic Parent

Growing up with a narcissistic parent can be a traumatic experience. Narcissistic parents are often manipulative, controlling, and emotionally abusive. They may make their children feel like they are never good enough and can leave a lasting impact on their self-esteem and mental health.

However, there are ways to combat the effects of growing up with a narcissistic parent. Here are some tips for dealing with the aftermath of narcissistic parenting:

  1. Seek Support

One of the most important things you can do is to seek support from others. Whether it’s talking to a therapist, joining a support group, or confiding in a trusted friend, it’s important to have people in your life who can offer you validation, understanding, and emotional support.

  1. Set Boundaries

Setting boundaries is crucial when dealing with a narcissistic parent. This means being clear about what you will and will not tolerate, and communicating those boundaries in a firm but respectful way. It may also mean limiting contact with your parent, especially if they continue to be emotionally abusive or manipulative.

  1. Practice Self-Care

Self-care is an essential practice for anyone, but it’s especially important for those who have experienced narcissistic parenting. This means taking care of your physical, emotional, and mental health. It may involve things like exercise, meditation, therapy, or spending time with people who make you feel good about yourself.

  1. Challenge Negative Self-Talk

Children of narcissistic parents often internalize the negative messages they receive, leading to a negative self-image and low self-esteem. It’s important to challenge these negative beliefs and replace them with more positive and affirming self-talk. This may involve seeking the help of a therapist or practicing self-compassion and self-love.

  1. Forgive Yourself

It’s important to remember that none of what happened was your fault. Children of narcissistic parents often blame themselves for their parent’s behavior, but it’s important to recognize that you were not responsible for your parent’s actions or feelings. It’s important to forgive yourself for any mistakes you feel you made, and to focus on moving forward and creating a positive future for yourself.

In conclusion, growing up with a narcissistic parent can be a traumatic experience, but there are ways to combat the effects of narcissistic parenting. Seeking support, setting boundaries, practicing self-care, challenging negative self-talk, and forgiving yourself are all essential steps in healing and moving forward. Remember, you are not alone, and there is hope for a brighter future.

With Love, Lakischa Smith

Meet Lakischa Smith, a proud mother and a dedicated public health advocate. With a Bachelor’s from Dillard University and a Master’s in Public Health from Florida International University, she’s committed to sharing honest narratives about black motherhood. Lakischa believes in fostering sisterhood to combat the pervasive forces of white supremacy, and empowering African American women to be agents of change for future generations. She asserts that recognizing and addressing our community’s struggles is crucial, for healing is the key to moving forward. Armed with the power of education and a deep belief in collective action, Lakischa is determined to ensure that the issues impacting African American maternal health aren’t just seen—they’re addressed and resolved.

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Caring for Ourselves, Caring for the World: How Self-Care Allows us to Pour into our Families.

Healing and caregiving are part of the natural essence of the Black woman. From the dawn of time, Black women have been the ones who bring healing, comfort, and care to those around them. We are born nurturers and have always been throughout history.

But as Black women, we often put others’ needs before our own, forgetting that we must first care for ourselves before we can pour into others. It is crucial to remember that self-care is not selfish. It is essential to take care of ourselves first so that we can show up fully for others.

When we care for ourselves, we show ourselves love and respect. We honor our bodies, our minds, and our spirits. This self-care is necessary because it allows us to be our best selves, the ones who show up for our loved ones, and for the world.

If we pour into others before looking after ourselves, we may experience exhaustion, burnout, and even resentment. It’s like pouring water from an empty cup. When we take care of ourselves first, our cups become full, and we can pour into others from a place of abundance, love, and strength.

The practice of self-care can take many forms. It can be as simple as taking a few minutes each day to breathe, meditate, or stretch. It can be as indulgent as a spa day or a solo vacation. It can be as practical as making time to exercise, eat healthily, or get enough sleep.

Self-care also means setting boundaries and saying no when we need to. As Black women, we are often expected to be the ones who take care of everything and everyone. But we must remember that we are not superheroes. We have limits, and it’s okay to say no when we need to rest, recharge, or prioritize our own needs.

When we care for ourselves, we set an example for others. We show our children, our partners, and our communities that it is essential to prioritize self-care. We break cycles of harm and neglect that have been passed down from generation to generation.

Self-care is not a luxury; it is a necessity. By prioritizing our own health and well-being, we show ourselves love and respect. We set an example for others and break cycles of harm and neglect. When we take care of ourselves, we can show up fully for our loved ones and for the world, pouring from a place of abundance, love, and strength.

With Love, Lakischa Smith

Meet Lakischa Smith, a proud mother and a dedicated public health advocate. With a Bachelor’s from Dillard University and a Master’s in Public Health from Florida International University, she’s committed to sharing honest narratives about black motherhood. Lakischa believes in fostering sisterhood to combat the pervasive forces of white supremacy, and empowering African American women to be agents of change for future generations. She asserts that recognizing and addressing our community’s struggles is crucial, for healing is the key to moving forward. Armed with the power of education and a deep belief in collective action, Lakischa is determined to ensure that the issues impacting African American maternal health aren’t just seen—they’re addressed and resolved.

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Finding Peace Amidst the Chaos: How Meditation Can Improve our Lives.

Meditation is a practice that has been around for centuries, and its benefits are well-known. For Moms of color, who often face unique challenges and stressors, meditation can be an especially powerful tool for improving mental and physical health.

Here are some of the benefits of meditation for Moms of color:

  1. Reduces Stress and Anxiety

Stress and anxiety can take a toll on our mental and physical health, but meditation has been shown to be an effective way to reduce both. By practicing meditation, Moms of color can learn how to better manage stress and anxiety, and improve their overall sense of well-being.

  1. Improves Sleep Quality

Many Moms of color struggle with getting enough quality sleep, which can have a negative impact on their mental and physical health. Meditation has been shown to improve sleep quality, helping Moms of color to feel more rested and energized.

  1. Boosts Immune System

Meditation has also been shown to have a positive impact on the immune system, helping to strengthen the body’s ability to fight off illness and disease. This is especially important for Moms of color, who may face higher rates of certain health conditions.

  1. Increases Focus and Attention

Moms of color often have to juggle many responsibilities and tasks, which can make it difficult to focus and pay attention. Meditation has been shown to improve focus and attention, making it easier for Moms of color to stay on task and be more productive.

  1. Enhances Emotional Well-Being

Meditation can also help Moms of color to cultivate a greater sense of emotional well-being. By practicing meditation, Moms of color can learn how to better regulate their emotions and respond to difficult situations in a more positive and constructive way.

  1. Lowers Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a common health concern for Moms of color, but meditation has been shown to be an effective way to lower blood pressure. By reducing stress and promoting relaxation, meditation can help to improve heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease.

  1. Increases Self-Awareness

Meditation is a practice that encourages self-reflection and self-awareness, which can be incredibly beneficial for Moms of color. By becoming more self-aware, Moms of color can better understand their own thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and make positive changes to improve their lives and the lives of their families.

  1. Improves Relationships

Meditation can also help to improve relationships, both with oneself and with others. By promoting emotional regulation and empathy, Moms of color can develop stronger, healthier relationships with their partners, children, and friends.

In conclusion, meditation has many benefits for Moms of color. From reducing stress and anxiety to improving sleep quality and boosting the immune system, meditation can help Moms of color to improve their mental and physical health. By practicing meditation, Moms of color can cultivate a greater sense of emotional well-being, increase focus and attention, and improve relationships with themselves and others. If you’re a Mom of color looking to improve your health and well-being, consider incorporating meditation into your daily routine.

With Love, Lakischa Smith

Meet Lakischa Smith, a proud mother and a dedicated public health advocate. With a Bachelor’s from Dillard University and a Master’s in Public Health from Florida International University, she’s committed to sharing honest narratives about black motherhood. Lakischa believes in fostering sisterhood to combat the pervasive forces of white supremacy, and empowering African American women to be agents of change for future generations. She asserts that recognizing and addressing our community’s struggles is crucial, for healing is the key to moving forward. Armed with the power of education and a deep belief in collective action, Lakischa is determined to ensure that the issues impacting African American maternal health aren’t just seen—they’re addressed and resolved.

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The Science of Generational Trauma: How Epigenetics Affects Moms of Color and Their Children

Epigenetics is a big word that may seem hard to understand, but it’s actually a really cool and important topic that affects Moms of color and their children. In fact, epigenetics can explain how some things that happened to our ancestors can still affect us today!

First, let’s talk about what genes are. Genes are like the blueprint for our bodies. They determine things like our eye color, hair color, and even how tall we are. We inherit genes from our parents, but did you know that we can also inherit something called epigenetic changes from our parents too?

Epigenetics is like a little switch that can turn our genes on or off. These switches can be turned on or off by things like our environment, diet, and lifestyle. But here’s the really cool part: these switches can also be turned on or off by things that happened to our ancestors!

For Moms of color, this is especially important to understand because some harmful experiences like racism, poverty, and trauma can leave a mark on our genes that can be passed down to our children. This means that the things that our ancestors went through can still affect us today.

But don’t worry, this doesn’t mean that we’re stuck with these harmful marks on our genes forever. In fact, by understanding epigenetics, we can take steps to protect our children and future generations.

One of the most important things we can do is to make sure that we take care of ourselves and our children. This means eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep, and finding ways to reduce stress. When we take care of ourselves, we’re not only protecting our own health but also the health of future generations.

Another important thing we can do is to create a positive and supportive environment for our children. Studies have shown that a supportive and loving environment can actually help to turn off harmful switches that may have been turned on by our ancestors.

It’s also important to remember that we’re not alone. By connecting with other Moms of color and seeking out resources, we can find support and guidance on how to protect our children and future generations.

In conclusion, epigenetics is a really cool and important topic that affects Moms of color and their children. It can explain how some harmful experiences from our ancestors can still affect us today. But by understanding epigenetics, we can take steps to protect our children and future generations. By taking care of ourselves, creating a positive and supportive environment, and connecting with others, we can help to break harmful cycles and create a brighter future for our children.

With Love, Lakischa Smith

Meet Lakischa Smith, a proud mother and a dedicated public health advocate. With a Bachelor’s from Dillard University and a Master’s in Public Health from Florida International University, she’s committed to sharing honest narratives about black motherhood. Lakischa believes in fostering sisterhood to combat the pervasive forces of white supremacy, and empowering African American women to be agents of change for future generations. She asserts that recognizing and addressing our community’s struggles is crucial, for healing is the key to moving forward. Armed with the power of education and a deep belief in collective action, Lakischa is determined to ensure that the issues impacting African American maternal health aren’t just seen—they’re addressed and resolved.