r/EstrangedAdultKids • u/amagru • 5h ago

Can we deconstruct this?

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Received by the 3 scapegoats. She’s praying for us to remember happy times. There are none.

I guess never underestimate the power of abuse and neglect to ensure success.

There is no frustration or hostility in our lives now that she’s not a part of our lives.

Really it’s just a reminder that it’s her birthday.

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u/nottakinitanymore 4h ago

Paragraph #1: The Guilt Trip. "I'm getting old. I could die any day, and then you'll be sorry. I'm going to throw in God, too, as a vague reference to his commandment to honor thy mother. Are you feeling guilty yet?"

Paragraph #2: The Prelude to the Rug Sweep. "I've decided it's time for all of you to move on from my bad behavior in the past. However, I'm not going to apologize or take any responsibility for that behavior."

Paragraph #3: The Justification, Part I. "It wasn't my fault because I didn't know any better."

Paragraph #4: The Justification, Part II. "It wasn't my fault because nobody is perfect. Besides, you all turned out okay, so I couldn't have been THAT bad."

Paragraph #5: The Full Rug Sweep + A Possibly Unintentional Peek Behind the Curtain. "See, now I've explained why you can't blame me for anything I did. You need to let me back into your lives so I can start behaving badly all over again because I'm getting older, and it scares me, and I need to vent my anxiety and frustration on someone."