Posted by Dinah on March 20, 2004, at 10:08:49
In reply to Re: Ego strength and differentiation » Dinah, posted by tabitha on March 19, 2004, at 23:57:43
Yes, it's an odd concept isn't it?
I am about as far from a caretaking sort as you can imagine. I surprised myself with my son at being able and willing and even happy to do it. But generally I pull away from caretaking demands. And the complaints in my personal life are generally that I am too removed and distant. So my therapist really surprised me.
It's going to take a bit of getting used to. But it's not totally and completely out of the question I suppose. I had such a weird relationship in my family growing up. I was both very much the indulged "daughter" and very much the parentified little adult who was cooking dinner by age ten, and taking care of most of house and yard by age 13. And running emotional interference between the parents and acting as their unofficial therapist since... birth?
So I guess a mix of avoiding responsibility at all costs while also taking on way too much responsibility; being distant to the point of cool while still managing to be enmeshed. Those things *seem* impossible. But perhaps they aren't. I wonder how many other aspects of my life reveal that dichotomy.
poster:Dinah
thread:325443
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040313/msgs/326379.html