Review of Healing from Growing Up with a Narcissistic Parent
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Keona Tang
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- Latest Review: Healing from Growing Up with a Narcissistic Parent by Kelly Todd
Review of Healing from Growing Up with a Narcissistic Parent
[Following is a volunteer review of "Healing from Growing Up with a Narcissistic Parent" by Kelly Todd.]
Healing from Growing Up with a Narcissistic Parent: A Guide to Reclaiming Your Life
By Kelly Todd
As a person who has dealt with the repercussions of living with narcissistic parents, Kelly Todd's guidebook was profoundly relatable and emotionally resonant. Like the author, I too have paused to take reflection of my own experiences from childhood to adulthood, and concluded that many of my own flaws and imperfections were a direct result of my upbringing. Todd's work here is an elegantly worded reminder to all of us that we are not alone in the struggle to reclaim our mental and emotional health, and that through all of the trauma and pain, we are capable of re-establishing a resilient and positive mindset.
The book begins with a trigger warning due to the discussion of sensitive topics, such as traumatic emotional abuse, which serves a reminder that what we are about to read is perhaps difficult to face. However, the author continuously provides a compassionate and empathetic voice when discussing these issues, and I never perceived a sense of superiority or condescension when addressing the reader directly. Todd instead utilized personal anecdotes and stories to reassure and encourage readers that even in the darkest of times, there is hope that we can discover opportunities for personal growth, resilience, and inner strength.
While Todd offered many suggestions and tips to advance our own healing journeys, I did find the book's brevity to be a bit surprising. Many of the solutions put forth by the author are far more complex and time-consuming than one might think due to the somewhat simplistic explanations found in this book. However, Todd does provide a useful foundation for readers who are just starting on their quest toward a healthier state of being, and encourages the reader to continue to seek out their own resources and answers.
On a personal note, I was truly surprised by the amount of experiences the author had which were similar to my own, particularly with regard to setting boundaries in the relationship I have with my parents, and in dealing with my own negative and intrusive thoughts. It felt reassuring to realize that I was not alone in confronting my own inner critic, and even more encouraging to see that I could in fact recognize its source. Therein lies the true value of Todd’s work: helping readers to face up to their own inner turmoil, and encouraging us to do so with renewed grace and fortitude.
I greatly enjoyed reading Kelly Todd’s essential guide to unpacking the trauma caused by narcissistic parents and cultivating a growth-oriented mindset. Learning that I was not alone in my journey, seeing Todd’s encouraging words, and reading about the author’s own experiences was a fascinating and illuminating endeavor. For this reason, I’d award it 5 out of 5 stars. I hope that others will find the strength they need to overcome the adversity they’ve faced in their lives through reading this book, as well.
******
Healing from Growing Up with a Narcissistic Parent
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Healing from Growing Up with a Narcissistic Parent: A Guide to Reclaiming Your Life
By Kelly Todd
As a person who has dealt with the repercussions of living with narcissistic parents, Kelly Todd's guidebook was profoundly relatable and emotionally resonant. Like the author, I too have paused to take reflection of my own experiences from childhood to adulthood, and concluded that many of my own flaws and imperfections were a direct result of my upbringing. Todd's work here is an elegantly worded reminder to all of us that we are not alone in the struggle to reclaim our mental and emotional health, and that through all of the trauma and pain, we are capable of re-establishing a resilient and positive mindset.
The book begins with a trigger warning due to the discussion of sensitive topics, such as traumatic emotional abuse, which serves a reminder that what we are about to read is perhaps difficult to face. However, the author continuously provides a compassionate and empathetic voice when discussing these issues, and I never perceived a sense of superiority or condescension when addressing the reader directly. Todd instead utilized personal anecdotes and stories to reassure and encourage readers that even in the darkest of times, there is hope that we can discover opportunities for personal growth, resilience, and inner strength.
While Todd offered many suggestions and tips to advance our own healing journeys, I did find the book's brevity to be a bit surprising. Many of the solutions put forth by the author are far more complex and time-consuming than one might think due to the somewhat simplistic explanations found in this book. However, Todd does provide a useful foundation for readers who are just starting on their quest toward a healthier state of being, and encourages the reader to continue to seek out their own resources and answers.
On a personal note, I was truly surprised by the amount of experiences the author had which were similar to my own, particularly with regard to setting boundaries in the relationship I have with my parents, and in dealing with my own negative and intrusive thoughts. It felt reassuring to realize that I was not alone in confronting my own inner critic, and even more encouraging to see that I could in fact recognize its source. Therein lies the true value of Todd’s work: helping readers to face up to their own inner turmoil, and encouraging us to do so with renewed grace and fortitude.
I greatly enjoyed reading Kelly Todd’s essential guide to unpacking the trauma caused by narcissistic parents and cultivating a growth-oriented mindset. Learning that I was not alone in my journey, seeing Todd’s encouraging words, and reading about the author’s own experiences was a fascinating and illuminating endeavor. For this reason, I’d award it 5 out of 5 stars. I hope that others will find the strength they need to overcome the adversity they’ve faced in their lives through reading this book, as well.
******
Healing from Growing Up with a Narcissistic Parent
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
