I think that for most of my life I was too naïve, to my
detriment, I am sad to report. I had no
idea the evil that can be perpetrated by those who use gossip as their tool for
control and manipulation. I thought,
erroneously, that since I would never spread vicious lies about others in the
form of gossip that others would be equally conscientious. How wrong I was!
I personally now believe that gossip is evil, and that
there are people who use gossip as a tool to destroy lives. And even if you don’t believe that there are
people with evil intentions, you do know the gossip has evil consequences.
I have heard hundreds of stories now from estranged
parents and I am convinced that in every story, if you scratch the surface just
a bit, you discover a “Gossip.” In every
story there is someone who takes a kernel of truth and twists it and distorts
it and wraps it up in well-meaning and sympathetic phrases to convince the
listener that their target (the victim) is a horrible, demented, emotionally
disturbed individual. And heaven forbid the victim respond with anger to the
slanderous things being said about them behind their back and in such a way
that they never have a chance to defend themselves. That righteous anger is now used as proof of
their unbalanced personality.
In my own story, my daughter and I never had any major
problems in our lives that could not be solved by talking it out until this
person came into our lives that changed the easy going dynamic that we
had. With a smile on her face, and
rational explanations she convinced my daughter that I was emotionally disturbed,
unbalanced, unhinged, incapable of making choices and decisions, unable to do
my job, and even a disaster as a parent.
She shaped my daughter’s view point to such a degree that the end result
was estrangement. In my heart I am
convinced that without the interference of this evil person my daughter and I
would still have a strong and close relationship.
For me it took working with a therapist to recognize the
evil that had been perpetrated against me.
When I thought that maybe I was as “crazy’ as they told me I was; I
needed the help of my therapist to learn that no, I wasn’t crazy. I felt the way I did because of what was done
to me. The clever tactics to undermine
my perception of reality (gaslighting) and the shunning were two of the most
obvious.
I also learned about character disturbed people, and that they enjoy causing others pain and yes they know what they are
doing! But that is another blog topic.
I firmly believe that most problems; under normal
situations, can be talked through and worked through. But the gossip is so intent upon being right
that they make it impossible for communication to take place. They convince others to not give the victim
an opportunity to clear their name. That
is why the silent treatment is used. It
prevents communication from happening.
Communication implies hearing the other side of the story and that
implies that the lies might be revealed!
As long as there is no communication the lies are safe! The gossip makes sure to say whatever they
must to convince their target to not give you the chance to explain your side
of the story. You must be kept out of
the loop at all costs. Just look at the
family and friends that now join in shunning you. What have they been told to keep them from
asking your point of view? And notice how the ones who do hear your side of the
story are now suddenly shunned also!
Is there a Gossip behind your Estrangement?
So now, with your eyes wide open, look at your own
story. Is it your child that, as an
adult, has become the gossip, spreading lies and half-truths dressed up as
damning evidence as to why you can’t be in their lives?
Or is the gossip someone close to your adult child, like
an ex-spouse, a daughter or son in law, a mother or father in law, a friend of
the family, an acquaintance, a work associate?
Take a look. Who
is spreading the stories and the lies behind your back and serving it up as the
truth? Who is convincing your child to
believe all the worst about you?
Renate Dundys Marrello
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Again, another incredible article on Parents with estranged adult children. Whenever, I complained that they were hurting me, please stop, my daughter’s response, you’re just a drama queen.
ReplyDeleteA very good article and so very true. I learned this lesson several years ago while in conversation with a trusting and loyal friend. We could not understand why some people (often family), no matter how kind you are to them, just do not like you. We came to the realization that often the stage has been set before you even come on the scene and you don't stand a chance against malicious gossip being said behind your back. Sometimes that person is jealous of your looks, accomplishments, possessions, etc. and you are helpless in defending yourself. They spread their gossip about you to others and soon you find others drawing away. I still do not know how to best deal with this sabotage other than to find loyal and trusting people who love you for who you are. But it still hurts to know you have been shunned by people whom you thought were your friends and the damage, sadly, is irreparable. Sometimes all it takes is one unkind/untrue remark, ie. "She thinks she is better than everyone else" and people run with it, without taking the time to get to know you because unfortunately the seed of gossip has already been planted.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds as though your life was invaded by a narcissist that viewed you as competition to be removed at all costs. I've seen this and lived this.
ReplyDelete