On Attachment #185: How Caretaking Impacts Our Relationships
Apr 26, 2025
The podcast dives into the fine line between caring and caretaking in relationships. It reveals how caretaking, often fueled by anxiety and control, can lead to resentment and imbalance. You'll learn how these dynamics can create emotional dependency, leaving partners feeling disconnected. Practical insights are shared on recognizing caretaking behaviors and shifting towards healthier interactions. The discussion emphasizes the importance of mutual responsibility and trust for truly connected relationships.
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Difference Between Caring and Caretaking
- Caring comes from compassion and respects others' autonomy without over-identifying or overstepping boundaries.
- Caretaking stems from anxiety or control, undermines autonomy, breeds resentment, and creates imbalance.
Caretaking Roots in Anxiety and Control
- Caretaking often arises from discomfort with others experiencing pain or stress and a lack of trust in their capacity to handle it.
- This drives the impulse to over-function to prevent or immediately fix others' discomfort.
Host's Family Peacemaker Role
- Stephanie Rigg shared her personal family role as peacemaker in a high-stress environment.
- This early pattern fuels her ongoing instinct to prevent any stress or rupture in relationships.