How do you trust others when you’ve been raised by a narcissistic parent?

I truly do not know. It is unimaginable to me.

I was so sheltered growing up that I honestly believed all children were raised the way I was. I know that I was young and did not know much about the world at all, but my life seemed so normal and so natural for me, I guess I just assumed all children experienced the same…I could not have been more wrong…

I know I went through a difficult time with my ex husband with narcissistic personality disorder, but it pales in comparison to what a child must think and feel growing up in an environment like that. It is just unthinkable to me.

I have heard such heartbreaking, mind blowing stories here that there have been times it has affected me deeply.

A child should feel free. Free to express themselves. Encouraged. Not just in life but Encouraged to always be exactly who they are. They should feel safe and want to share themselves and their secrets with their parents, but from so many stories that I have read, they would never conceive of sharing any part of themselves with their parents because more than likely they would be told they were wrong, silly…Insignificant.

So back to your question…how does one trust others after a childhood like that? You basically have two choices…you can push everyone away, even those who truly care for you and live a life of solitude, or you can take a leap of faith…an enormous leap. And hope that after the hell you endured something important and special is waiting for you. To trust it. Try not to pull it apart or overanalize it. Hopefully you will get to experience the happiness you missed out on as a child. I know it doesn’t make up for it, but love is love and when it’s real it can change everything.

For every child who suffered abuse in your youth, I first want to tell you how sorry I am. Life is unfair and makes no sense…but I truly believe that it is never too late and we can find real love in the most unlikely of places sometimes….

Please don’t give up. There are some beautiful people still left in this world, and after what you endured, no one deserves true love and beauty more than you. xo