A mother-daughter relationship is considered a very special and blissful kind of relationship. A mother’s love for her daughter cannot be described in words and the same is the case with a daughter’s love. But sometimes life goes on a different track with certain types of difficulties where the bond somewhere becomes toxic and tough to handle. An unhealthy mother-daughter relationship can lead to a poor relationship with oneself, poor or low self-esteem, and self-criticism. The relationship between mother and daughter can be like no other. But sometimes, life and some misunderstandings can strain this bond.
As every mother-daughter relationship is unique, the rapport shared differs from one to another. Some mother-daughter relationships can have a twisted bond right from the beginning, while some can take a difficult route when the daughter starts growing. As a mom or daughter, it might be weighing on your heart to talk it out or to take a step forward to resolve such issues. However, there are ways to work on your bond and open up spaces so your daughter feels more comfortable getting closer to you.
But first, it’s also important to understand the effects of a disturbed or unhealthy mother-daughter relationship. It can lead to low self-esteem, depression, anxiety and stress issues, and difficulties in staying loyal to future relationships.
Open Communication
Communication in any relationship matters a lot. And most of the misunderstandings usually occur due to a lack of communication. Both mother and daughter should be open and available to have a good healthy and honest community without any hesitation. The best one can do is to just be frank without being shy or hesitant.
Setting better boundaries
Irrespective of how close a mother-daughter relationship is, there have to be certain boundaries. Mother and daughter can be best friends, but there have to be healthy boundaries. This not only helps in improving the bond but also maintains a respectful relationship. So it’s good to set realistic standards and boundaries. Giving a respective space to each other can be an effective way to normalize issues.
Appreciating each other
Acknowledging and appreciating each other’s roles, especially the efforts of mom and how she helped till now. Such things cherish the bond. With this, practicing gratitude can change the whole perspective of each other’s life. Also, let go of some grudges and forgive to maintain healthy relationships. A mother and daughter can have plenty of conflicts, but at the end of the day, work to forgive and forget for a warm hug.
Acceptance
Acceptance is the primary key of any relationship. Both mother and daughter are two different individuals and have different perspectives and instead of arguing and demeaning can disrupt the relationship, both the mother and daughter should accept each other as they are. It is better to agree to disagree and move on in life. The bond between a mother and daughter is irreplaceable so it’s better to keep it in a unique way to avoid blaming and start accepting.
Taking online therapy
If the issue is very serious and still can’t be resolved after taking many effective steps, it’s better to take therapy for both individuals. No doubt, every relationship is complex but the bond remains emotionally strong. So it’s good to work together on conflicts. Here, Therapy helps both mothers and daughters to reconnect with their daughters and set the whole house in order. There are many best online therapy apps available online which give easy access and work on both strengths and weaknesses in the relationship of the mother-daughter duo. Additionally, counseling also helps in nurturing a realistic perception and helps to focus on mental health too.
Sometimes the relationship with mother or daughter needs a little help. There are ways to strengthen the bond on your own. However, after trying all the efforts and getting exhausted all efforts, a mental health professional can help you navigate the relationship.