What to do when family insults you

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Accept That No One Likes Criticism

No one likes to be told that they are wrong. Yet, every single person has, at one time or another, been criticized for something. Realize that it's a normal part of life. You might receive some harsh criticism, but it doesn't mean that you are dumb, or incompetent.

Stand Up For Yourself

If an elder or family member becomes abusive, you can calmly say you won't be treated like that and walk away. Once they see they aren't getting the desired outcome -- to get you riled up -- they might "cease and desist." Another way to stand up for yourself is to remove yourself from the situation. Find home care for your parent. Having a stranger who isn't quite as caring, or familiar, might make the elder realize how much they want and need your help. Let the family member step in to the role of caregiving. Once they've experienced how hard it is first-hand, and walked in your shoes, they likely won't be nearly as critical.

Smile

Smiling, even a false smile, can help us relax. It creates a more positive vibration and diffuses the situation. It will definitely help you psychologically. It's hard to be upset or hurl back insults when you're smiling.

If you can learn how to cope with criticism, you can eliminate the stress and anxiety over what people think, and be happier and healthier.

 
 
 

Comments

 
  •  Comments 1 to 10 of 25 
 
 

dgharris

Give a Hug

Jul 10, 2010

Criticism is something that family caregivers have dealt with for a long time while caring for aging parents . Thank you for this great article. I will pass it on to others. DH

 
 

cowgirl

Give a Hug

Jul 10, 2010

Excellent article...I love reading this stuff. Helps me alot!! thanks!!

 
 

punkersad

Give a Hug

Jul 10, 2010

I just tell my dad. I dont care what you say--- I know that I am a good person and walk away. Usually that shuts him up-makes him think and builds my bruised ego.

 
 

anne123

Give a Hug

Jul 10, 2010

This article is very important. I have a feeling that many, if not all, of us caregivers have at times either experienced criticism or disapproval from family members or friends who are looking on. "Looking on" are the key words here: If the critics are not participating in the care of the elder at the level that you are, they have no way of understanding or appreciating the demands that you are answering to, or the burden you sometimes (or always) bear. It's a cruel irony that at the very time that caregivers need support from other people in their lives, they can be receiving judgment and criticism. To take care of myself in this regard, I just try to please my Maker, the Lord. And then my heart and conscience are at peace. We will surely get our rewards one day in heaven.....this I believe.

 
 

tpfzowie

Give a Hug

Jul 10, 2010

anne123 Amen!
I have found that those who are not dealing with the day to day care of a loved one, for whatever reason, are the quickest to critize.
Some people actually think they are being helpful by pointing out what you are doing "wrong". They have no idea what they are talking about until they have walked in your shoes (or in your slippers through pee-lol)

My response to them is "Would you please SHOW me how that is a better way to do this?" They seem to take a few steps back after that - at least for a while...

I have a few family members who kept telling me I shouldn't be "giving up my life" to take care of mom. Their solution to everything was "put her in a nursing home." I know there are times when that is the best thing a family can do. I did not feel we were at that point with my mom.I feel kind of sorry for them because they will never know the comfort and peace that comes from hands-on involvment in your loved one's care. Some of my closest and most meaningful interactions with my mother are from moments when we shared a laugh or a tear while I was helping her.
No, it is not easy and you do, in a sense "give up your life" for a while, but knowing the peace of mind that comes when they are gone, I would never have done it any differently.

 
 

punkersad

Give a Hug

Jul 10, 2010

tpfzowie I agree about asking them to show me what i am doing wrong and how they would do it. The one sister who's advise i would take lives about 1000 miles away and was a cna for a long time. She worked with dimencia patients and has a very non-panic way of handling situations that I wish I had. Every thing was a crisis with my dad - in his mind and sometimes it really was. She had a way a distancing herself from the crisis and emotions and getting things done. I really really admire her for that and wish i could do that. I am better since she was here teaching me how to do things like moving my parents without hurting them or me. I dont panic as much. She did not criticise- she showed me a better way when i asked for help.

 
 

reenyz

Give a Hug

Jul 11, 2010

This is such a great website!! God bless all of you who post things...makes me feel not so alone in this journey. I am proud to be in the caregiver club. The rewards and clean conscience far outweigh the sacrifices. I will never comprehend family members who have no problem removing themselves from the situation and can only offer criticism. Thank you all for your insightful and comforting words.

 
 

Eddie

Give a Hug

Jul 11, 2010

GOOD MORNING FAMILY!

These are indeed nice and useful tips designed for intellectually developed people, but it's a lot easier said than done. Besides, there is no cookie-cutter formula when dealing with family insults. I've tried the smiling, the walking away, and the non-stick teflon attitude. None of them worked with a family that thrives on confrontation and views the use of words as the "punk" way of handling things.

For years I tried to ignore them and usually left them where they were at rather than stooping to their level in the hopes the insults would stop. They didn't; so I dispensed with the forgiving and forgetting, put on on my "reading" glasses (as RuPaul called them in the show Drag Race) and read them all from cover to cover. ... They never recovered after that. In a nutshell, I flipped the script, deflected, and made them the butt of all jokes. All my family respects is power, and once you have it over them they either keep their mouth shut out of respect or out of fear. With me, they don't even dare play that twisted game "Can You Top This?" (similar to "Yo Mama") because they'll lose every time. If they want to take it to another level, I have no qualms breaking my foot off in their a___.

Last night, for instance, my aunt Carmen's gangbanging 16 y/o son referred to me as "yo son," said "I ain't eating this s___t" when I served his family dinner," marked territory by peeing all over the toilet seat (didn't flush). I could see his parents were clearly afraid of him. His mother tried to excuse his behavior by saying "Ay Dios mio. Estos teenagers de hoy dia yo no los entiendo". (Oh my God. I don't understand today's teenagers.) His father, with a look of resignation said "You can't expect teenagers to be responsible." To which I responded with "What would be a good age to start?" The son walks up, puts a finger to my face and says "Yo, you dissin'." I grabbed him by the shirt, slammed him against the wall, and asked him how long he wanted to stay in the hospital and that after I got done with him I'd finish with his folks. The parents, motionless, said he was a good kid once he dropped his tough guy act and began to cry. I told both of them they should be spayed and neutered so they can't stop bringing children to the world and let them do whatever they want because they don't want to raise them the way it should be.

Should I have used my words? Of course. I was a Special Ed teacher for 14 years. But there are times when you have to take things to another level so others can see the need for words. If all you're going to do is grin and bear it every time someone feels like using you for a punching bag, then don't complain. You deserve everything you get. ... And there's a lot more where that came from, so you better get used to it.

-- ED

 
 

punkersad

Give a Hug

Jul 11, 2010

My brother also criticized my food and everything I do. Finally I became a guardian for my parents. It is funny how having to legally finally pay for living there after mooching from my parents for 10 years changes the tone. He still constantly asks what's for dinner which drives me nuts but he doesn't criticize as much because I can kick him out and he knows it. You are right Ed power is a very good thing.

 
 

castoff

Give a Hug

Jul 12, 2010

I for one am getting a little tired of hearing about "human nature" and would like to see and hear a little more about "GODLY nature".
"You only hurt the ones you love" is a lie from the devil!!!!!!

 
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