Daughters Who Dare

Say It…I Dare You! Join Erin and her guests, as they delve into what it means to be a child of a narcissistic parent. Each fortnightly episode is crammed full of honesty, humour and hope. Cliches have a lot to answer for. Although they usually come from a good place and are well-intentioned, they aren’t often received in the same way. When I tell someone that I no longer have a relationship with a family member, I brace myself and wait for them to say, “Life is too short.” I want to scream, “Too short for what?” but, instead I calmly reply, “It was a last resort. I have tried everything…absolutely everything.” Believe me.

Join Erin and her guests, as they delve into what it means to be a child of a narcissistic parent. Each fortnightly episode is crammed full of honesty, humour and hope. One of the reasons I started a Book Club over 20 years ago is because I love the diversity of perceptions and opinions. I find it incredibly fascinating that six people can read the same book and yet it often feels as though we met different characters and read different plots. And, just like that, four children lived in the same house, raised by the same parents and yet, somehow, my story reads so differently to theirs. My siblings didn’t write a different story for me…my narcissistic parents did. As a result, I often look at my siblings and want to ask, “Did we really grow up in the same house?”

Join Erin and her guests, as they delve into what it means to be a child of a narcissistic parent. Each fortnightly episode is crammed full of honesty, humour and hope. Some days, I wonder if I should have called this podcast “Daughters Who Are Terrified”rather than “Daughters Who Dare.” The fear is real…often too real. As a child of narcissistic parents, I have had to learn ways to face, jump, ride, manage and survive the waves, whether that was in tiny, trickling ones or waves that knocked me off my feet. Although I can disguise, delay and deny the fear…it doesn’t go away. Let’s stand and face the waves together.

Join Erin and her guests, as they delve into what it means to be a child of a narcissistic parent. Each fortnightly episode is crammed full of honesty, humour and hope. There are many types of love language, but my favourite language is words of affirmation. Words matter, am I right? I appreciate the words, but, sometimes, I appreciate the underlying message even more. A simple baseball reference like, “Three strikes…you’re out!” may seem silly and insignificant to others. But, in my case, I heard, “I see you. I hear you. I believe you. You are loved.” Those words of affirmation were life changing. I will never forget them. I am a child of not one narcissistic parent, but three (hence the baseball reference). I may have struck out in the mother department, but I haven’t lost the game.

Join Erin and her guests, as they delve into what it means to be a child of a narcissistic parent. Each fortnightly episode is crammed full of honesty, humour and hope. When I told others that I was raised by a narcissist, they would often reply, ‘Well, at least you had two parents. At least the other parent was there for you.” How I wish that were true! How I still wish that was true! One of the toughest pills I had to swallow was accepting the fact that both parents were equally responsible for their actions and choices. One parent will always be the narcissist. The other parent will never have my back. A sad truth, yet my truth nonetheless.

Join Erin and her guests, as they delve into what it means to be a child of a narcissistic parent. Each fortnightly episode is crammed full of honesty, humour and hope. How often do we take time to stop and reflect? It is not only important, but necessary to do just that. As the relationship between child and narcissistic parent lasts a lifetime (and beyond), those pauses can make all the difference. Every now and again, allow yourself the time. Take a good look at who you are and just how far you have come. You did that! Be proud!

Join Erin and her guests, as they delve into what it means to be a child of a narcissistic parent. Each fortnightly episode is crammed full of honesty, humour and hope. Forgiveness is hard to do, especially as the child of a narcissist. I was expected to forgive, yet the adult in the relationship could do whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted. It didn’t make sense. It wasn’t fair. So, I made the decision…a huge decision. I didn’t need to forgive them. Instead, I began to forgive myself.

Join Erin and her guests, as they delve into what it means to be a child of a narcissistic parent. Each fortnightly episode is crammed full of honesty, humour and hope. I didn’t always use that word - narcissist. But, once I did, it stuck like a label on a pickle jar. For years, I would describe her in many words and give examples of her nasty behaviour and show the many scars I live with, but true clarity happened when I saw her for what she is. My eyes and ears were fully opened. Now, I can’t unsee it.

Join Erin and her guests, as they delve into what it means to be a child of a narcissistic parent. Each fortnightly episode is crammed full of honesty, humour and hope. One of the favourite things a narcissistic parent does is try to make you think you’re crazy. It doesn’t stop there. They need to convince others too. So, keep your receipts. Holding onto the truth, no matter the format, enables you to preserve your sanity. It sounds dramatic, but those reminders can be game-changers. They are proof. You aren’t crazy. They are.

Join Erin and her guests, as they delve into what it means to be a child of a narcissistic parent. Each fortnightly episode is crammed full of honesty, humour and hope. “Parents do their best.” I have heard that statement all of my life. I don’t agree. The truth is that some parents make good choices and make some mistakes, all with good intentions and a sincere heart. Other parents don’t. Believing that statement, as a child of a narcissist, only made me full of blame, shame and guilt. It also relieved the parent of any responsibility or accountability because they were ‘doing their best’. In this episode, I challenge that all too familiar phrase and set the story straight.

Join Erin and her guests, as they delve into what it means to be a child of a narcissistic parent. Each fortnightly episode is crammed full of honesty, humour and hope. On my 1st birthday, I got my first doll baby. From that moment on, I wanted to be a Mom. I had it all planned out. I would get married and have four children and, as promised in all the fairy tales, live happily ever after. My role play looked nothing like real life. As I got older, the dream was mixed with fear. I wanted to be a mom, but not my mom. Could I separate the two?

Join Erin and her guests, as they delve into what it means to be a child of a narcissistic parent. Each fortnightly episode is crammed full of honesty, humour and hope. In order to survive and thrive as a child of a narcissistic parent, you need to find tools and strategies that work for you. I wish I could hand out cliff notes or a cheat sheet that had all the answers. They don’t exist. When you realise the truth, naming it and accepting it for what it is, you figure it out the best way you can. Our stories may be unique, but they share a common thread.

Join Erin and her guests, as they delve into what it means to be a child of a narcissistic parent. Each fortnightly episode is crammed full of honesty, humour and hope. Growing up and dealing with a narcissistic parent can be challenging, exhausting and even soul-destroying. But, it doesn't have to hold you down or hold you back. When I was younger, I would have loved to find and connect with others who got it...who got me. That acceptance, support and validation would have been life-changing. Although I didn't have it, I wanted to create it. Wherever you are in your journey, come and join us. We get it. We've got you.

Join Erin and her guests, as they delve into what it means to be a child of a narcissistic parent. Each fortnightly episode is crammed full of honesty, humour and hope. If asked to define a narcissistic parent, we may use similar words, but our experiences make each definition unique. In this episode, we touch the tip of the narcissistic iceberg, knowing full well that there is much to explore beneath the surface. There isn't a dictionary big enough to contain all of our definitions, and our words may be limiting or not suffice, but we have made a start writing our own, knowing what they are matters.

Join Erin and her guests, as they delve into what it means to be a child of a narcissistic parent. Each fortnightly episode is crammed full of honesty, humour and hope. You found us! Welcome to the Daughters Who Dare community. I like using the word community because many of us have felt alone as we learned how to survive and thrive as children of narcissistic parents. We will be having honest and organic conversations about all aspects of this unique relationship. As well as speaking truth, we are bringing hope and humour to the table. Grab a coffee and get comfortable. We're glad you're here.

Join Erin and her guests, as they delve into what it means to be a child of a narcissistic parent. Each fortnightly episode is crammed full of honesty, humour and hope. During this quick trailer, Erin explains more about the upcoming episodes. Daughters Who Dare releases on Sunday the 3rd of December. Please use this app to Follow or Subscribe so you don't miss the upcoming episodes.