In this Q&A episode, Whitney addresses a caller dealing with a mother who accuses her of being the toxic one while engaging in silent treatment and triangulation tactics. She discusses parents who weaponize big parenting gestures like Disney trips and birthday parties to deflect from daily emotional neglect. She also analyzes emotionally immature parenting through the lens of the TV series Friday Night Lights, examining how involved parents can still cause harm when their support is conditional on performance.
Have a question for Whitney? Record a voice memo on your phone and email it to whitney@callinghome.co
Whitney Goodman is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and the founder of Calling Home, a membership community that helps people navigate complex family dynamics and break harmful cycles.
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Order Whitney’s book, Toxic Positivity
This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice.
02:37 Friday Night Lights and Conditional Love
08:11 Disney Trips vs. Daily Emotional Presence
13:14 When Your Parent Accuses You of Being Toxic
21:24 The All-or-Nothing Parent Dilemma
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