Download your free companion resource to this episode here: Forgiving Your Mother Worksheet
"Our mothers are often our first mirror. The way they spoke to us, touched us, showed up or did not show up leaves lasting imprints."
Today, I explore the tender territory of mother-daughter relationships just in time for Mother's Day. Rather than focusing on cards and flowers, I invite you into a deeper conversation about what it truly means to forgive your mother as an adult.
As someone who's navigated my own complicated maternal relationship, I understand that Mother's Day can evoke a spectrum of emotions – from gratitude to grief, from love to resentment. Our mothers are often our first mirrors, and the ways they spoke to us, showed up (or didn't) created lasting imprints that shape our self-perception.
For many women, these early experiences translate into patterns of people-pleasing, perfectionism, and the persistent fear of being "too much" or "not enough." Throughout the episode, I share my personal journey of having been a parentified daughter who lacked guidance, safety, and encouragement – offering validation for listeners struggling with similar wounds.
I guide you through five transformative steps toward forgiveness: acknowledging the impact, humanizing your mother's story without excusing the hurt, feeling your emotions safely, setting appropriate boundaries, and reclaiming your own narrative. Each step is illustrated with personal examples and practical guidance.
This episode includes a guided moment to connect with your inner child and healing journal prompts to continue your journey. Remember, forgiving your mother isn't about dismissing your pain or forcing reconciliation – it's about choosing peace for yourself, at your own pace, in whatever way honors your emotional safety and well-being.
Click here to download the Forgiving Your Mother Worksheet, a guided tool to help you explore your feelings, reflect on your experiences, and take meaningful steps toward emotional freedom.
Resources:
Your FREE Forgive Yourself resources: https://brendareisscoaching.com/podcast-resource-optin/
Are you struggling with a situation or a person in your life? Wondering if you are ready to work on forgiving yourself? Take our quiz to find out your emotional IQ and how this impacts your ability to forgive: https://archetype.brendareisscoaching.com/sf/357cdc60
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