What Is A Gaslighting Parent?

You’ve probably heard the term gaslighting by now — after all, it’s been a buzzword for the last few years. What you may not have realized, though, is that gaslighting doesn’t just apply to the dynamic of a romantic relationship. Whether you knew it prior to this point, you may have grown up with a gaslighting parent. Or maybe you’re here because you’re afraid you’re the one engaging in this toxic behavior with your own children. Either way, it’s important to be able to spot the signs of a gaslighting parent.

Before we dive into the psyche, take a deep breath and repeat after us: No parent is perfect. If what you’re about to read hits a little too close to home, remember that we’re all inherently flawed as human beings, and that carries over into the parenting realm. No matter how hard we try, we’re all going to do something that has the potential to negatively affect our kids. Having said that, gaslighting merits cautioning against since it’s a particularly egregious form of toxic parental behavior.

Looking to swap out the toxicity in your life with positivity? We have self-care quotes, friendship quotes, I love you quotes, and more!

What is gaslighting?

Psychology Today defines gaslighting as “the use of deflection, distraction, and blame by one person to hide some truth, or to benefit in some way, at the cost of another.” It’s an especially insidious form of psychological torment and emotional abuse because sometimes the person doing the gaslighting doesn’t even realize they’re guilty of the behavior.

Where did the term “gaslighting” come from?

If gaslighting seems like a strange word to describe this toxic behavior, well, it’s because it sort of is — unless you’re familiar with the 1938 play by the same name. Or the movie that came after starring Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer. In the story, a husband dims the gas-powered lights in the couple’s home every night, only to vehemently deny doing so when his wife notices. It’s a twisted exercise in power, control, and manipulation.

Is it really that bad?

In a word, yes. Speaking to Health magazine in February 2020, clinical psychologist Dr. Ben Michaelis pointed out that being gaslit distorts your sense of reality. It invalidates your personal perception. “Having your reality questioned has got to be the most damaging thing out there because our reality and the way we think about the world is kind of all we have,” he explained.

Long-term effects of gaslighting on a child can be things like anxiety, self-doubt, insecurity, paranoia, distrust, and even perpetuating the cycle of gaslighting itself.

What are the signs?

One of the trickiest things about identifying a gaslighting parent is the parent-child dynamic — one that is inherently imbalanced from the start. Children tend to look to their parents to confirm their view of the world, and they typically trust the response what their parent tells them.

However, there are certain signs that might serve as red flags. Here are a few examples.

Rewriting history: Is it possible that a child and parent will have different recollections of the same event? Sure. But a gaslighting parent tends to undermine their child’s recollection, regardless of what it is. They’ll discredit the child’s memories with brush-offs like, “You’re exaggerating!” or “Stop being so dramatic — it was nothing.”

Creating unhealthy competition: This type of parent will likely foster some sort of unhealthy competitive dynamic in the home. They might compete with the child for attention or even friends. Gaslighting parents also have a tendency to pit siblings against one another. The child being gaslit will serve as the scapegoat, while the parent puts a sibling on a pedestal.

Undermining success: In a similar being, the parent might actively diminish their child’s success. Got accepted to an Ivy League college? They’ll tell you it’s a waste of money. Got a promotion at your first job? They might suggest your employer made a mistake or there was a reason other than merit that swayed the decision-making process.

Denying their own actions: Perhaps one of the most perplexing aspects of a gaslighter is the fact that they’ll deny something they said or did, even when faced with irrefutable truth. They’ll lie for no reason, as though doing it for sport. And they’ll double down in their dishonesty if you try to challenge it. It goes without saying that being raised in a household with someone who lies about everything can definitely affect the value a child places on the truth.

Exaggerating conflict: Gaslighters are also notoriously volatile. Anything can set them off and, often, it’s little things you wouldn’t expect to be such a big deal. Maybe their child knocked off a glass of water. In the grand scheme of things, that’s a blip. An honest mistake. Typical kid behavior. But it could make a gaslighter lose their shit, making the child feel like everything they do is wrong.

Refusing to apologize: To apologize to someone is to admit you were wrong. To admit you were wrong is to relinquish control. A gaslighter isn’t going to want to do that. Instead, they’ll dig in their heels after an argument. They’ll either wait it out long enough for the child to “get over it,” or until the child apologizes (it doesn’t matter if the conflict clearly wasn’t the child’s fault). A gaslighting parent has to be right about everything… even when they’re not.

Mocking: Spoiler alert? Gaslighters are bullies. And bullies mock people. So, gaslighting parents may mock their own child. They might even go out of their way to humiliate them. The seeds of shame planted in those moments tend to take root pretty deeply — which is to say, those feelings can be tough to dig out later in life.

What are some examples of things gaslighters say?

• “You’re too sensitive!”
• “You sound crazy.”
• “You’re just paranoid.”
• “You’re imagining things.”
• “You’re overreacting.”
• “Don’t get so worked up.”
• “That never happened.”
• “That’s not what happened.”
• “You’re hysterical.”
• “We talked about this… don’t you remember?”
• “You’re being irrational.”
• “You don’t know how to take a joke.”
• “Stop taking everything I say so seriously.”
• “Can you hear yourself?”
• “You’re so thin-skinned.”
• “I worry about your mental health.”
• “Your family doesn’t understand you.”
• “Were you even paying attention?”
• “You need to learn how to communicate.”
• “Why are you always jumping to conclusions?”
• “Why would you even think that?”
• “Why are you so upset? Take it easy.”
• “If you were listening…”
• “I guess I’ll have to repeat myself since you don’t remember…”
• “I criticize you because I like you.”
• “I’m not arguing; I’m discussing.”
• “You’re the only person I have these problems with.”
• “You’re reading too much into this.”
• “I know what you’re thinking.”
• “You should have known that this was not a good time to talk.”
• “What does that say about you, though?”
• “I’m not a liar — they’re the liars!”
• “You’re not making any sense.”

What are the gaslighting childhood trauma effects?

The way you were raised as a child impacts the kind of adult you become. However, we do have the power to heal and become the best version of ourselves when we recognize our trauma. When you’ve experienced this kind of emotional abuse, you may have trouble finding validity in your own feelings. This means you can have a hard time trusting yourself and your perceptions. It can be a real blow to your self-esteem and cause anxiety, depression, and isolation. This can affect future relationships if it isn’t addressed.

To help work through your trauma, it’s important to remember that:

• What you experienced wasn’t your fault.
• Refrain from arguing about what is true with the gaslighter.
• Practice trusting your instincts and valuing your thoughts and feelings.

What is unintentional gaslighting?

We might assume gaslighters know they’re gaslighting, but that’s not always the case. If the unintentional gaslighter is themselves a victim of gaslighting or mirroring habits learned as a youth in a toxic home, they may not know they are guilty of the same bad behavior. One may be guilty of unintentional gaslighting if their actions and words result in their victim doubting themselves, hampering their self-esteem, and distorting their reality. If these negative effects in another, in turn, benefit the gaslighter, they will often unconsciously repeat their behavior.

How do you respond to gaslighting?

If you think your parent might be gaslighting you, don’t feel shame in seeking out counsel. Therapy can help you (and possibly the gaslighter) navigate the complex psychological ramifications involved. And, likewise, if you fear you might be guilty of gaslighting your own children, reach out to a mental health professional so you can break the toxic cycle.

As far as what you can do immediately in the face of gaslighting, there are a few generally advised suggestions:

• Get some space — go for a walk, meditate, whatever you need to do to take a break.
• Document your interactions so you have something to show them if they deny the conversation or gaslighting even took place.
• Call out the gaslighter’s insults and criticisms.
• Get insight and support from people you love and trust.

How do you recover from narcissistic gaslighting?

Dealing with gaslighting takes a toll on your inner peace and emotional health. So, to help move on and heal, here are a few things you can practice.

1. Get back in touch with your feelings. Dealing with a gaslighter may cause you to ignore your emotions, so take the time to listen to yourself again.
2. Seek therapy or professional mental health services. A counselor can help you work through your pain and negative feelings.
3. Write it out. A journal can help you express yourself and figure out the way you feel.

Quotes About Gaslighting

“Some people will label you as vindictive, unforgiving or even evil for not allowing them to hurt you, yet again.” — Wayne Gerard Trotman

“If you alter your behavior because you are frightened of how your partner will react, you are being abused.” — Sandra Horley

“Gaslighting are lies with a purpose to confuse and control.” — Tracy Malone

“Gaslighting is implanted narratives cloaked in secrecy.” — Tracy Malone

“Emotional abuse is designed to undermine another’s sense of self. It is deliberate humiliation, with the intent to seize control of how others feel about themselves.” — Lorraine Nilon

“Gaslighting is mind control to make victims doubt their reality.” — Tracy Malone

“Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation and emotional abuse. The Gaslighter avoids responsibility for their toxic behavior by lying and denying and making you question facts, your memory, and your feelings. Basically, the Gaslighter makes you feel crazy and confused.” — Karen Salmansohn

“Remember, someone that does something bad to you will always try to control the narrative, and they generally get out of there first and spin the story to anyone who will listen. I always like to watch the quiet one. You are not alone.” — Maranda Pleasant

“Let us not get scooped up by gaslighting manipulators, stealing our emotions, and taking possession of our inner child to carry out their dark agenda. Let the light of our intuition guide us subtly and wisely along the path of trust and suspicion.” — Erik Pevernagle