Traumatized Young Man Asks For Advice On How To Deal With The Toxic Parents Who Harass And Stalk Him
"Sorry man, your parents are cartoon villains."
A throwaway Reddit post turned into a full-blown case of “family harassment” when a young man described his parents stalking and harassing him for two years.
It started with the kind of control that sounds small until you realize it never stopped: he was regularly yelled at and punished as a kid for not smiling, his father called his school screaming over an iPod, and by grade 10 the threats got uglier. When he wasn’t “happy enough,” they punished him, and later when university didn’t go the way they wanted, they ramped it up with GPS tracking, room-cleaning demands, and the line that he was “personally driving them to divorce.”
He finally cut contact, but now he’s stuck wondering whether he’s the problem, or if they were always going to escalate.
The Redditor shared a story about his parents stalking and harassing him for two years.
Reddit/rrelthrowaway1He explained that his parents did a lot of things to him growing up that weren't okay.
Reddit/rrelthrowaway1The OP said he was "regularly yelled at and punished" for not smiling as a child.
Reddit/rrelthrowaway1
The situation faced by the Reddit user highlights the alarming dynamics often present in toxic familial relationships.
When the OP was in grade 10, his parents punished him because he "wasn't happy enough."
Reddit/rrelthrowaway1
The OP's father called his school screaming because he took his iPod to school.
Reddit/rrelthrowaway1
The OP says his father has always had a bad temper.
Reddit/rrelthrowaway1
Before the GPS, the father was already threatening to pull him out of class and scream in front of everyone for something as ordinary as not cleaning his room the “right” way.
The situation faced by Reddit user u/rrelthrowaway1 highlights the complexities of navigating toxic family dynamics.
He threatened to pull the OP out of class and scream at him in front of everyone.
Reddit/rrelthrowaway1
He said if the OP didn't clean his room properly, he would drop him off at the homeless shelter.
Reddit/rrelthrowaway1
When the OP's start at university didn't go well, his parents decided they would need to intervene.
Reddit/rrelthrowaway1
Establishing healthy boundaries is essential for protecting one's emotional well-being.
His parents began using the GPS on his phone to keep track of his every movement.
Reddit/rrelthrowaway1
They even told the OP that he was "personally driving them to divorce."
Reddit/rrelthrowaway1
The OP says it was all "some sick motivational tool."
Reddit/rrelthrowaway1
Once university started going wrong, his parents stopped pretending it was about motivation and started showing up in real life through constant tracking and pressure.
In this situation, the individual might benefit from seeking therapy to explore these dynamics further.
The OP decided to drop out of university as he couldn't take his parents' harassment any longer.
Reddit/rrelthrowaway1
The Redditor realized he would need to cut his parents out of his life if he was ever going to heal himself.
Reddit/rrelthrowaway1
He told his mother and father not to contact him anymore.
Reddit/rrelthrowaway1
Seeking Support and Resources
Additionally, connecting with support groups for individuals dealing with toxic family dynamics may provide valuable resources and emotional support. Research shows that sharing experiences can help alleviate feelings of isolation.
These groups can foster a sense of community and provide practical strategies for managing difficult situations.
This also echoes the fight over a childhood room, where a person faced backlash after refusing to let their parents turn it into a home office: WIBTA for blocking my parents from renovating my childhood room.
The OP's parents had almost driven him to end his life several times.
Reddit/rrelthrowaway1
The OP has been left with debilitating anxiety because of his parents.
Reddit/rrelthrowaway1
His mental health has suffered greatly from the trauma.
Reddit/rrelthrowaway1
The GPS on his phone was the moment it clicked for him that this wasn’t concern, it was control, especially after they told him he was “personally driving them to divorce.”
Engaging a family therapist can also be a beneficial step for addressing these challenging dynamics. A therapist can help facilitate discussions and support family members in finding a more equitable balance in their relationships.
By involving a professional, families can work towards healthier communication patterns and emotional support.
The OP says that strangers on the internet have helped him more than his family ever has.
Reddit/rrelthrowaway1
Things have been improving since the OP cut contact with his parents.
Reddit/rrelthrowaway1
The Redditor decided to try to re-establish a connection with his mother and father.
Reddit/rrelthrowaway1
His mother justified all of their actions and asked the OP when he would be coming home.
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The OP says there is no way he can stand to be in the same house with his parents.
Reddit/rrelthrowaway1
TL;DR
Reddit/rrelthrowaway1
The OP asked, "Am I crazy?"
Reddit/rrelthrowaway1
He went on to ask for advice on how to approach the situation with his parents.
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The OP says he wants a relationship with his brother and extended family.
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In a later edit, the OP thanked the Reddit community for their support.
Reddit/rrelthrowaway1
Here's how people reacted.
Reddit/LadyMacDownvote
"Sorry man, your parents are cartoon villains."
Reddit/TheSilberFalcon
"Have you ever considered that you may have PTSD?"
Reddit/pammylorel
"Your parents are 100% not normal."
Reddit/attackbetta
"Tears."
Reddit/kittenkat4u
After he dropped out and told his mother and father to never contact him again, the family dinner energy flipped into silence, and he finally tried to breathe.</p>
What are your thoughts on this story? Do you think the OP is overreacting about the way his mother and father have treated him over the years, or were his parents abusive?
We would love to hear your opinions on this. You can share your thoughts with us in the comment section.
The situation faced by the young man seeking advice on his toxic parents underscores the profound impact of family dynamics on emotional well-being. His experience illustrates how what may seem like normal parental behavior can morph into a source of distress, particularly when harassment and stalking are involved. Establishing healthy boundaries becomes not just a suggestion but a necessity for individuals like him who are navigating these challenging relationships.
In this context, the importance of self-advocacy cannot be overstated. By articulating his needs and feelings, he not only takes a step toward reclaiming his emotional health but also sets a precedent for healthier interactions moving forward. The journey to address such toxic dynamics is fraught with difficulty, yet it is essential for fostering a more positive future.
Now he’s realizing the only way to heal was to stop letting his parents run the schedule.
After two years of being stalked, see what happened when someone asked their parents for rent post-breakup: AITA for charging my parents rent after my breakup.
