Hi Artful Apricot,

The one thing that stuck out to me was that (and this is true of me): If your parent was critical, it can be devastating if she is “proved right” by people criticizing you in other facets of your life. We like to compartmentalize, and it’s great if, say, the horrible math teacher in fifth grade is sequestered in the distant past. But it’s horrible if she is “proved right” when you are yelled at by the boss in the present day.

The other thing I’d like to add is be careful not to become your BF’s lay therapist. You are too close and you are not trained! Neither are we on the forums! (A paradox, I know! Take our advice, or… LOL!)

Best,

Inky