How To Be a Terrible Daughter 016: The Casual Demolition of What Little Self-Worth You Have
In this episode, we wade through the debris of self-esteem left in the wake of growing up with narcissistic parents. It’s not a pretty picture. From the relentless cycle of love bombing to the casual demolition of what little self-worth we managed to scrape together, we unpack the chaotic dynamics that leave us questioning our value. It’s not just the mixed signals, either—narcissists thrive on keeping their supply unstable, ensuring those around them feel isolated and off-kilter. Sound familiar? You’re in good company.
We also tackle the unique social stigma that comes with narcissistic mothers—because apparently, calling out bad parenting is still a no-go in polite society. But it’s not all heavy-hearted realizations. Elizabeth shares how discovering witchcraft gave their self-esteem a much-needed boost, while Megan recounts the bond with a childhood pet that became a lifeline of unconditional love. And, of course, we can’t forget the “Mini Crazy Mom Offs,” where we swap gut-wrenching stories of the times our mothers managed to make even the most precious moments a dumpster fire.
As always, we wrap up with a dose of weekly grounding and empowerment tools. Elizabeth shares a strategy for reconnecting to the present moment, while Megan reflects on embracing both her inner villain and princess—because hey, why not claim the whole damn castle? Whether you’re here for the camaraderie, the coping strategies, or just to laugh so you don’t cry, welcome to the club.
We’re so happy to be back here with you for a brand-new season of the podcast. If you haven’t already, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or your favorite podcast app to automatically get all of the new episodes as soon as they drop. Unlike the narcissist in your life, we'd love to hear your stories and how they affected you. Email us or DM us on Instagram, @terribledaughterpod or at H2Bterrible@gmail.com!
What We Cover In This Episode:
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Why a lack of self-esteem is commonly a major issue faced by those of us raised by narcissists [6:30]
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The role that the constant cycle of love bombing and derision by the narcissist plays in this erosion of self-esteem [10:09]
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The difference in growing up with a narcissist versus having a narcissist as a partner later in life [14:24]
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A look at the concept of “narcissistic supply” and how the narcissist thrives by having people around them who are unstable and feel isolated [15:57]
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A social taboo that exists with narcissistic mothers who are horrible to their children [21:38]
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How finding “The Craft” took Elizabeth’s became a total game-changer for Elizabeth’s self-esteem [37:02]
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The bond Megan formed with a pet that allowed her to feel safe and loved growing up [41:29]
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Our “Mini Crazy Mom Offs” and heartbreaking stories of our mothers destroying what was precious to us [45:07]
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What Elizabeth did this week to ground themselves and how Megan embraced being both the “villain” and the “princess” in our weekly tools segment [59:01]
Links & Resources:
Grounding Tools Mentioned:
https://sharonknight.bandcamp.com/track/take-your-spirit-down
http://www.campusactivism.org/server-new/uploads/groundcenter.html