Set Boundaries With Difficult Parents Using Detachment

"We had been talking about his most recent visit with his mother, one he had begun with cautious optimism, hoping that if he explained himself just a little more clearly this time, she might finally understand how her comments affect him. Instead, the interaction followed a familiar pattern. She minimized his feelings, and immediately redirected the conversation to her own stress. When he tried to point this out, she ended by accusing him of being "too sensitive. Must be from your father's side.""

"Learning to observe without reacting is a key part of emotional detachment, especially for those navigating relationships with emotionally immature or difficult family members. Rather than absorbing harmful behavior or responding in ways that compromise mental health, emotional detachment involves learning to witness interactions with awareness and restraint. This may include setting internal boundaries, mentally preparing for visits, limiting in-person contact, or disengaging from arguments that feel unsafe or overwhelming."

Emotional detachment provides a strategy for preserving mental health while maintaining contact with people who cause emotional harm. It centers on observing interactions without absorbing or reacting to hurtful behavior. Practical steps include setting internal boundaries, mentally preparing before visits, limiting in-person contact, and disengaging from arguments that feel unsafe or overwhelming. Detachment reduces emotional reactivity and prevents reliving past trauma during interactions. For people who cannot or do not want to go no contact, emotional detachment offers a way to protect emotional well-being while preserving necessary or chosen relationships.

Read at Psychology Today