There are so many reasons why this journal prompts for toxic parents would benefit you:
Many times, when we have toxic parents, especially when they are emotionally abusive, it is difficult to put into words how our experiences had impacted us. To also make sense of what really happened or is happening to you. Even work out how you really think about things.
I am hoping that this journal prompts will at least start you on the road to answering some of those questions.
Journaling as a whole is such a fantastic and cathartic way of getting lots of stuff out in your own privacy. We are sometimes plagued with thoughts and emotions we don’t understand, nor do we share them with anyone else. Especially thoughts we may have about our toxic parents.
The main reason you are keeping a journal is that you want to be able to express freely and be able to say exactly what you want and through reflection seek to make meaning, change aspects of your life, and live in better harmony with yourself.
Because your journal is private you can, express your feelings and thoughts in an uninhibited way.
There are no major rules here. All you need is a pen, a nice notebook, the right atmosphere, and the time to let go and write. You don’t need a lot of time. In fact, I would suggest timing yourself 15 minutes so you don’t do too much then maybe get bored with it.
I have collated some that I found on Amazon at the end of this article.
I know it is not that simple to know where to start when journaling about your parents, but that’s where these journal prompts come in. It has been written to guide and support you.
30 Journal Prompts for Toxic Parents
Where do I start?
- Ideally, it would be good if you can do one prompt a day but try and do a different one at least every other day.
- They are also not in any order and you can just do whichever one stands out for you.
- You could also decide to choose a few of them you really like and then just focus on those
- Try to be consistent with your journaling. It is better to do a small amount daily rather than a lot of writing once a week.
- For easiness, I have divided the prompts under separate subject headings.
A bit about your childhood relationship with your parents
- What childhood memories of your mother and father do you have? Describe a few moments.
- What did you not get from your family that you wish you’d gotten?
- How did your parents teach you how to behave?
- What fun things did you do with your parents as a child?
- How did your parent(s) help you when you were upset at school?
- Did your parents take an active part in your schoolwork?
- What are your happiest childhood memories? Describe one occasion and the feelings linked with it.
- Were your family members affectionate towards you – how did they show it?
- What praise and encouragement did you receive as a child for your achievements and successes?
- How did your parents deal with difficult emotions when you were a child?
What is your relationship with your parents like now?
- How close are you to your parents now?
- Are you able to express your true feelings about certain things respectfully?
- How do your parents deal with their emotions and feelings now?
- What does the word ‘family’ mean for you?
- What do you know about your family’s history?
- In what ways are you alike and different from your parents?
- Do you act differently around your parents? Does this help or hurt you? How does it feel?
- When in your life were you most scared? Does that fear still impact your life?
- Do you feel respected by your parents?
- What good experiences do you have with your parents and what not-so-good experiences do you have
What do you want for your future?
- What would your life be like if one small change had been made years ago (for example, if you hadn’t gone to college)?
- What would you want to be happening in your life with your parents in 3 years’ time?
- What would you want to be happening in your life with your parents in 10 years’ time?
- My secret desire is…
- Do you neglect your well-being Emotionally and/or physically? In what ways do you need to improve?
- Write a letter to your parents. You could say what you want, and express yourself fully. (You don’t have to send it to them.)
- What would your life be like if one small change had been made years ago (for example, if you hadn’t gone to college)?
- What would your life be like if one small change had been made years ago (for example, if you hadn’t gone to college)?
- Write a love letter to yourself that you wish your parents could send you
- What could make your future better, what do you need to make you happy?
What to do next
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