Parenting is no easy feat, and different parents have differentparenting styles.

Interfering in nearly every aspect of the child’s life.

“This can begin as early as preschool and continue throughout college,” she says.

Sarah Regan

Anything less than perfection is unacceptable or disappoints them.

Tsabary says this may be their way of assuaging their own internal sense of helplessness.

Plenty will still interfere in their children’s lives long into adulthood.

Hilary Jacobs Hendel, LCSW

“Children of controlling parents are more likely to become approval-seeking and need external validation.”

And that goes for romantic relationships but also in the workplace or with friends.

Summary

Acknowledge the problem

Dealing with a controlling parent or parents is incredibly difficult.

They’re your family, and they quite literally raised you.

Cullin says the first step in dealing with a controlling parent is developing awareness.

Get backup

Lastly, Cullins adds that having a healthy community for support is essential.

To do this, she suggests enlisting the help of a family member or friend their parent respects.

If not, Cullins and Tsabary agree the relationship may need to be modified to have more space.

Having a controlling parent isn’t easy, and the ramifications can be long-lasting.