If you or someone you love grew up with an emotionally unavailable, narcissistic, or selfish parent, you need to read this book today!

When one suffers through toxic parenting, one didn't get the nurturing necessary to develop into a fully-functional adult. The Toxic Parents Survival Guide will help by giving you the tools needed to overcome.

Written in a clear, easy to access format, this book is a good read and reference for all who are struggling with childhood demons. 

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I requested this because I grew up with toxic parents and because I was looking to spruce up our nonfiction/selfhelp selection with some new and fresh titles.  This book did not disappoint.  There is nothing earth-shatteringly new here for those who have explored the topic already but this book is clear, succinct and very readable.  A great introduction and overview on dealing with toxic family that also offers strategies and validation for those who suffer from poor and even abusive relationships with their parents.

I'm reading this piece meal but my it is so very poignant and relative. It's easier to read in sections and in between fiction reads to ensure it isn't too heavy going. It is very true to form and a great eye opener of a read. I would recommend.

If you ever wondered what you did wrong as a child that made your parents treat you like something less than human, The Toxic Parents Survival Guide might be the book for you. I grew up with what I later called dysfunctional parents(though toxic is actually a much better word). I left home when I was 15, a home that from the outside looked 'picture perfect', but one where I was beaten down and mentally abused every day of my childhood. I have never regretted leaving even for a single minute, and as you can imagine, being on your own at 15 is no picnic, so the fact that being basically homeless with very few life skills was still a better option to me, says quite a lot.
This book does a great job of clearly explaining what it is like to have emotionally unavailable parents who seem to take great satisfaction in letting you know that you aren't good enough. Sometimes, just hearing that you aren't alone and that there isn't anything you could have done differently is enough to get you headed in the right direction. The author covers identifying the toxic behaviors as well as coping skills to help you heal and lead a life free( or relatively free) from your childhood demons. It is a very comprehensive guide to understanding your upbringing and assisting you in moving beyond your past to a better future. As an adult, I thought I could interact with my parents again, but sadly, the dynamics hadn't changed. I read this book at the perfect time, as I began sliding down the rabbit hole again and apparently needed a reminder that sometimes you just have to let go and move on. I highly recommend this to anyone who had a wasteland of a childhood and wants to better understand why.
I received an eARC from HCI Books through NetGalley.

#TheToxicParentsSurvivalGuide #NetGalley

I read a review copy of the book that I had requested as it covers a subject close to my heart and my experience of growing up.  Very interesting, relative, and the book explains clearly what it is like to have emotionally unavailable parents or parent.  The author writes about coping strategies in order to overcome the toxic behaviour.  A very good read in which the author shows a great understanding of the subject.  I would recommend this.

At first I wasn't sure in what direction this book was heading. There were a lot of definitions and explanations on feelings and emotions. It read a lot like a text book and I felt a bit bored. But then it started getting into the relationship dynamics and how these dynamics can often lead to toxic relationships. I thought these observations were thought provoking and thorough. The author did an amazing job breaking each dynamic down and offering good solutions. The only thing I questioned were the verbal responses. When you're  speaking to a parent who is often confrontational asking them how to resolve the issue can sometimes come off as belittling. Often time you have to approach the conversation with organic response that fit the cultural dynamic.
I still felt the material was instructive and insightful. Definitely recommend.

I have not finished this book yet but I'm liking it so much I'll end up buying it so I can highlight and underline paragraphs, which I never, ever rarely do. It's a deep book that can't be read in one session. It breaks down different kinds of  emotion/mind sets and the different kind of toxic people that are in the world. It is quite an eye opener. I do like the suggestions and advice this author gives. He does not sugarcoat the situations and tells the readers it takes time and patience for things. I highly recommend it for anyone who is dealing with this sort of thing.. I do hope he comes out with a guide to talk to younger audience because this book is focused on adults and to help younger children an adult would need to read it first and cater toward each individual child. It's a good book.

I found this book to be very good and helpful. It was easy to read and the author provided good solutions that can help people deal  with every type of emotionally unavailable parents, because there are more than one.
The practical advice that you wiil find in this book can help people deal with the problematic relationship with their parents , heal the wounds from their childhood and move forward with their lives.
I recommend it.

This little book looks simple, but proved to be a brilliant how-to guide for navigating day-to-day interactions that can feel like minefields of highly charged emotional conflict with difficult or disordered parents, and other people in our lives who fill those roles.  It works like a map. presenting a clear and simple way to chart of several kinds of unbalanced parent-child relationships. Don't underestimate it!  The Toxic Parents Survival Guide also offers succinct phrases to help you quickly sidestep all the verbal traps a parent can hurl to pin you down where they want you. She also reminds you that with practice, these methods and strategies will help you get better at keeping your equilibrium and holding your ground. I'm amazed at how a professional can break down a family conflict into 5 basic roles.  If you need a manual for how to embark on a phone conversation or a lunch date with a chronically blaming or gaslighting parent, this will get you started.  Of course, no book can be the cure-all to all parent-related troubles.  As one might expect, Collins advises a long-term commitment to therapy. She also identifies some disordered parents where no interacting at all is your best course.  If you're drained from chaotic interactions that leave you feeling powerless or out of control, this great book will help you clear the cobwebs, find your footing, and your sanity.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who has had a difficult parent/child relationship.  There are different types of toxic parents discussed.  It covers the effects of emotional abuse (an offshoot of the toxicity) and ways to overcome the hurt and move on with your life.  This book was well written and helped me more than I realized.  It will be a good reference piece for anyone that struggles with their feelings and helps steer you away from continuing the toxic parenting rabbit hole.  

Thank you, NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC version of this excellent book.

Emotional Unavailability--the parent doesn't make time to be around. The way the author explains this in layman's terms really helps normal people understand the topic. I felt it refreshing that the book focuses mainly on how it's not the child's or adult child's fault that their parents basically suck. Not all of us come from great backgrounds. I am going to re read this a second time to take notes for my therapy. What I also loved is the discussion of hope for yourself. Just because you were abused, doesn't mean you can't heal. That's the most important takeaway from this book. You can try the "I Feel" exercises that the author suggests, but bottom line, a toxic parent isn't going to change.

4.5 Stars

I chose this book on Net Galley for two reasons: the topic was relevant and I have enough knowledge about such things to know if advice is problematic, but not so much that it would be repetitious. 

I am very much impressed with this book. One of the things I really appreciate is that the first part of the book starts with the basics of emotions and feelings: how they feel, how we act, and how we discuss them. As someone who is an English major, I thought the differentiation between primary and compound emotions (and why, for example, frustrated may mean a different combination of feelings for people) was incredibly enlightening in both a scholastic and practical way. 

The definitions in the book are concise without having a lot of jargon, and the tone is nurturing and informational without being judgmental (to the reader). 

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is or has toxic parents, but also anyone who needs better examples of how emotions feel and work.