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Arranged Marriage Turned Toxic: How to Cope with Manipulative, Insecure, and Abusive Indian Parents?

Anu Krishna |1664 Answers |Ask -Follow

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Aug 21, 2024

Anu Krishna is a mind coach and relationship expert.
The co-founder of Unfear Changemakers LLP, she has received her neuro linguistic programming training from National Federation of NeuroLinguistic Programming, USA, and her energy work specialisation from the Institute for Inner Studies, Manila.
She is an executive member of the Indian Association of Adolescent Health.... more

Asked by Anonymous - Aug 18, 2024Hindi

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Hi Anu, I got married about 6 years ago. It was an arranged marriage. But it was I who went alone to see her. We got married after 10 months. All things are good between us. However my parents are very controlling. Initially they were not living with us. So there was not much of issues but since the birth my daughter they have made out life hell. My wife asked to visit her mother's place and my parents went nuts over this. They are very controlling. My elder sister who I think is emotional immature, initially supported us but things went south after she came to our home on Rakshabandhan last year. My wife wanted to go to her brother's house but my parents wanted his brother to come. Initially my sister didn't mind but my parents pressured her and she chicken out instead of supporting us. Now she is full on toxic and has convince herself that she is right. Since that incident my parents confidence has grown. My father started using abusive words with me but not in front of my wife. Soon they left us but they keep ob giving us mental torture. I always call them and then never tell me speak. They give bad wishes to us but sometimes says they never wish for us. Now they have started posting in family group and how the new generation is not respecting parents. They emotionally blackmailing me to get the things in their favour. I think they have my wife. They would have hated had it been some other women. From last one year I have built lots of tolerance. Earlier I used to get sleepless nights. But they keep on abusive me whenever they start this topic. I think this is quite a common problem. I need advice on how to handle typical manipulate, insecure and abusive Indian parents.

Ans: Dear Anonymous,
Extreme interference in anyone's life including your own children is unwanted and uncalled for.
Your parents find that a way to control you and your family. Sadly, there are not able to see how this is in fact, driving you away from all the drama.
Now, since you have chosen to stay away from this drama, kindly move on and since they don't live with you anymore, there's only a few days in a year that you need to put up with this. Put up because, they will not be willing to change. For them, what they say and do seems right and they are possibly doing that to get your attention. Whatever it is, any environment that causes stress need not be entertained...in this case, you cannot avoid them as they are your parents, but you can pay no heed to what they do or think...
When things don't provoke, then you are in a better mind space to simply remain silent and that is a stronger message to them to back off. Difficult but a better way of dealing with it...When they come live with you for a few days or weeks, make sure you let them know that you will not be party to any drama created by them or your sister. And maintain it at that...When you don't get provoked, there is no more pleasure for a bully to assume a dominant role over the victim, is there?

All the best!
Anu Krishna
Mind Coach|NLP Trainer|Author
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