6 Sad Reasons Why A Family Creates A Black Sheep

I am the black sheep of my family. I believe this to be because I remind my mum of herself, and she hates herself.

Also, my sister has coped ‘better’ with the emotional neglect, and is able to crush her feelings down deep. Whereas for me, I tried very hard to crush my emotions but they just spill out unexpectedly and dramatically. Of course my mother hates that.

I am blamed for causing issues in my family for the above reasons.

Understanding CEN has been a revelation for me. In my own process of healing, it will take a while but I’m making progress. Good luck to all you CEN brothers and sisters out there.

Im 50 an only child as far as I can remember my mom was unlike other mothers. Teachers would be hard on me because I would always ask questions. I know why I did so it was because It was hard for me to understand some subjects and would want to understand what I didn’t get. I use to do this at home. I was a question asker and my mom (she was a stay at home mom) she would get annoyed when I did not understand her answers. So looking back I can understand her siding with the Teachers, which is wrong in my opinion, they are teachers its their job to help a student understand the material. As I grew my mother always took the other persons side while my friend’s mothers would do the total opposite. One took a liking to me as her son and I were good friends And I vividly remember my friends mother getting angry at the teacher and my mom during parent teacher conferences. I for some reason had to go with my mom and while waiting in the hall Way sitting on the floor my friends mom stood up For me. I don’t remember the context just another adult for the first time stood up for me , not only did she go off on the teacher she pulled my mother aside and threatened her. I feel bad but At the time I loved that woman more than my own mom and told her this the following day asking her to adopt me. I was crying , she did not realize I was in the hall way and heard her sticking up for me. She hugged me and asked me why would I ask her such a question I remember telling her I was adopted and I wanted her to take me away from my mom. This shows you just how much damage emotionally it did to me. My mother and father were the only parents I knew I was an infant adoptee , my friends mom did not know this. She told me that I had to be strong and that my mom loves me. But I heard how she stood up for me threatening my mom and that teacher. It turns out she was the wife of a Known mobster . I found this out as I got older , you might be wondering where my father was during the verbal abuse I received at home , my father was a builder in Manhattan and close friends with my friends father , when I would tell my dad mommy does this says that ect… he would not take me seriously until that time my friends mother had enough of the crap and spoke up for me. Word got back to my Dad and things changed but it just made things worse. She never told me she loved me she never hugged me , she was with me and her mother and they were talking and my mom made a Comment to my nanny “ everything was fine until that came into our lives” referred to me. My nanny gave my mom a verbal tung lashing , me and my nanny were very close but as a kid I did not know the dynamics of reaching out for help. I had a deep hate for my mother , she not only verbally abused me she engaged in very inappropriate acts that I was happy to do because I felt my mommy in my child’s mind Will love me if I do this . She would ask me to rub her back and she would have me rubbing her lower back side while she was laying face down on the bed “massage time” I looked forward to this time because I thought my again in my child’s mind “ mommy loves me because I’m helping her feel better She was sore and I was helping her feel better, I was under 10 but remember it like it was yesterday. My mother is old and she still treats me rude and mean . I confronted her a few years ago about massage time and she denied it . Said I dreamed it up. Ok so I have issues with relationships with women I was engaged 2 times and they both ended , I sabotaged those relationships.Then in 2002 I met a very beautiful independent woman who had her own home in Baldwin hills Ca. She was in the entertainment industry and had a very large catalog of artists . I loved her she believed in me and with out asking she paid for me to start a non profit organization. Which was my passion to help inner city youth. Well I was going to ask this wonderful angel who helped me heal some deep rooted issues, but never got the chance to propose and give her the ring, she was killed in 2004 my heart broke and I still am in love with her . Love is a strong emotion I think its more than an emotion. Well she was killed it was an accident I returned home went back to work in construction and got my own place and then I got hurt after spending over 200 thousand in rent It was my only option to move back home. My relationship with my mom was better until, and I knew it was going to happen. well its like were back to her hatred I try to be helpful but I get “leave me alone” as an answer . I try to just have a normal conversation and you would think I was torturing her. She will flat out tell me to shut up sometimes screaming at the top of her lungs , thank god we have a obnoxiously huge house so There is plenty of my own space. My father sees this but I’m not looking to fight , I want to love them be there for them. They are just turning 80. I am grateful they asked me to move home. They do a lot for me but one thing I do not have is a loving mother. She does tell me she loves me now days but I’m still trying to win her heart. By doing little things like chasing deer off the property she liked the deer just doesn’t like what they do eat her flowers and crap on the lawn. Our neighbors look at her like shes a mean old lady and yes she is a mean old lady but shes my mean old lady . They show sympathy for me because they can hear her verbally attack me. I videoed one of her Mean attitudes towards me before I showed it to her she said I was making it up over exaggerating I was speaking to her and my father about it that I have feelings And although they are older they are i get it, but I still have feelings. And im dealing with a lot with not being able to work and living back home when for years I lived in luxury buildings in Manhattan and California never had less than 2000 dollars in my pocket. And would drop by their house and give my mom a fist full of love “ money” now I’m home and I have changed am more understanding and have a better grasp on my issues. But I want my mothers love.

What can I do?

Sincerely
Anonymous

I’m the Black Sheep. I’m the poet, the memory bank, the artist, the alternative kid, the solo adventurer, the teacher, the medical assistant, the officer, and the light in my BF’s eyes. Baaa I’ll never hate my parents, but I will never talk, or be around my brothers.

I am the black sheep in my family I have had alot of terrible things happen to myself in my life but have my parents or siblings been there no they haven’t but have they all been there for each other yes they have n that’s hurts me so god damn much I dont know what to do any more things that have happened have caused me to have really really bad depression and severe anxiety. I have tried to speak to my family but they just brush it off and say awk u will be fine then that’s that then all of a sudden just never heard from them. I was never invited on nights out I was the one that was asked to babysit other kids so their parents could go out and have the time of their lifes i suffer badly bad depression and i really dont know what to do anymore I want someone to speak to hut no one will listen I am worthless and weak I am a nobody.

Hi I am the black sheep I never caused trouble growing up I obeyed all the rules my parents gave me served in the military but now I’m not anything really I just depressed my family leaves me out of the loop I don’t get invited to things I don’t understand I have been a good person doing all I can to please my parents but they don’t give me any credit or anything I paid my own way in college I get very depressed sometime because I feel like I made so much sacrifice and why am I the black sheep also I’m not that pretty and guys don’t seem to ever want to ask me out or even care about me I am a deeply caring person I have a tender heart I might be a little sensitive but not in a bad way I pictured my life much better then this I never expected anything fancy but I also didn’t expect that all the sacrifice I made didn’t do anything positive for me nor did it make anyone notice me or anything sometimes I just want to disappear from everything because it’s painful to always put on a happy face and be happy for those you care about my friends are all married with families of their own my siblings to – people say or ask me why I haven’t decided to do that I pretend to laugh but inside it’s the worst thing to feel that my entire life my brother told me I looked ugly and all kind of mean things nowadays I’m starting to think that maybe it’s true and I hate being the black sheep because it seems I don’t have anyone to talk to about this I feel like I’m being a horrible person just for feeling this shame I wish that I had a guy who called me asked me out and enjoyed spending time with me I know that’s not the answer to life’s problems but it sure would make my day I never get the guy I have had friends but they never want anything more then that I always have to put on a happy face and be happy for them in their relationships I often wish I had a man who cared about me I have never ever got a birthday card or flowers or anything from any guy except one time after some school event but I don’t think that counts anyway in my adult life I have never had the experience of having anyone actually care anything about me other than me being a good friend
I hate nights sometimes because it’s a long time to feel these feelings of shame and like I don’t fit in and I missed the opportunity to have a man in my life I often feel that I must be a so odd or dorky I’m tired of pretending that everything is ok when it’s really not

I am adopted. I am the black sheep. I was treated differently. Every time I try to sit on my parent lap. I got pushed away. While my cousins and my be older sister was allowed to sit on their lap. Refuse to teach me to drive . When my grandfather died. I was told I was ugly with my all of acne scar’s. At the time I only had a chicken pox scars. My nephew was told in front of me. Don’t pop your pimple or you look like your aunt. My sister invited me to a Thanksgiving dinner. When I showed up. I wasn’t allowed to be there. My sister bad mouth our family members behind their backs. I never said a word. My adopted care giver always said my sister was the beautiful one. My sister smoked pot under age and never got into trouble. She flat out telling people. She is waiting for our parents to die to get their money. She tries to get attention of rich guy’s. By ridding bikes in a rich neighborhoods. My sister went around telling people I was crazy but couldn’t admit her own craziness. I moved on and had my own family. When I had my first child. My sister told my aunt. I wasn’t fit to be a parent and try to take my child away. I kept my child and continue to add to my family.

There are times when the stable Sheep or the Hero Child gets fed up with the Black Sheep, especially when they need to be rescued so often.

Being the stable Sheep means more work when there are 2 Black Sheep siblings, especially when the parents age or die, and the Black Sheep are entirely dumped on the stable Sheep.

My brother hasn’t worked in the 10 years since being deported after 4 years in a foreign prison, 12,000 miles away.

My youngest sister, when medicated, has either borderline or narcissistic personality disorder, depending on the diagnosis, and is rude, entitled, angry, snotty, manipulative and sneaky. When not medicated she is bipolar, with swings into psychosis.

Both might be dead now if it hadn’t been for rescues conducted by myself or myself and my one well sister. My youngest sister would certainly have been placed under court supervision without our intervention, and might have gone to jail after the last time she went off her medication. I worked with the embassy to get my brother into his own cell when he was in a cell with 6 members of that country’s version of the Mafia, and they were picking on him, amongst numerous favors that I did for him while he was in prison, and when he was repatriated.

Both can be prone to fits of rage, and neither has shown any appreciation for the work that has been done on their behalf.

Now that our father has died and our mother has Alzheimers, the care for my mother and for the two train-wreck siblings falls on the two stable siblings. This has cost me hundreds of thousands of dollars in income, I’m struggling financially, and I hate the caretaking chores (which have included numerous chores that have benefited the two Black Sheep, who rather than contribute, periodically have made the situation worse).

If you feel like the Black Sheep of the family, take a long look at your actions. Are you really a non-compliant mentally ill person? Are you doing what needs to be done to take care of yourself? Are you contributing to the family, or are they doing what they can to keep you at bay or keep you under control?

Fix yourself. Practice self-care. Be compliant. Stay out of trouble. Get off the booze and drugs. Hold a steady job. Try contributing. Maybe your family will let you back in.

Hi, my name is Desiree and I’m a black sheep I always had let people know I was there or speak up because when I was only 11/12 my mom forgot my food from the store and I have a older sister and a twin but me and my twin never got along well but me and my oldest sister did but they always made me made so I lock myself in my room

I’m definitely a black sheep in my family. My parents divorced 6 years ago when I was 19 and I went to study abroad and only come home for my family once a year. Now that I have finished school and went home everything is a mess. My family excluded me from basics daily things my sister dont want to hang out although we’re inder the same roof and when I try to be included And confront them with how i feel with them they me shut down and say that I am being too sensitive or too paranoid. Those are the words that I keep hearing all time since childhood. When we go out to visit our relatives, they act ashamed of me and never acknowledge me they ignore me even when i talk to them ! My mom is who hurts me the most. She never have talk with me unless she want me to do something for her or to make fun and downgrade what I’m doing. She talks with my sisters normally and never want to hang out with me so I get angry and emotional when I confront her and she uses that to call me crazy and that that’s why they never want me around because I’m “ mentally ill” …. it hurts when their actions causes for my reactions and be called crazy for it !

I am the black sheep on my moms side. Growing up my dad had anger issues and my mother was bi-polar. I was physically abused. I was scared of my dad who would even punish me in front of my friends. My moms side didn’t like me because my mom was the black sheep so I was also the black sheep, yet even more so because I was my dads daughter and once the divorce happened I was the daughter of the awful dad who my mom divorced. My moms sister never called or asked to hangout, my cousin didn’t want to hangout, my uncle never called. My grandpa thought because I was hyper as a second grader I needed medications for ADHD. I was on higher and higher doses and they had worse effects like needing depression and anxiety pills by eighth grade. Everyone just thought I was a problem, I wasn’t a person.

My childhood was that of Cinderella except I’m a male.lol..My mother left my real father when I was two and told him she was going to find her a rich man and she did,my step dad..My step dad had two older boys Lee and Randy rankin they hated us immediately..My step father was an ex special forces green breiot..Needles to say he was a 6’2 280 gorilla and his sons were the same..That man and his boys beat on me from the age of until I left the house.My whole childhood was getting the shit kicked out of me hiding from them and sad! My mother never did shit about it and knew what time it was so I had no one to run to or protect me.I was usually made by him to pull my pants down and got beat with a belt or 2×4 all over…And then in return would get beat by his son’s..But it wasn’t always a belt or 2×4 ingot beat with sometimes often i wound get my head beat into the wall or counter top repeatedly until I could not see straight..So I spent many days at school naked in a counselors office while they took pictures of my little naked body.The cop’s would come from time to time bit would never do anything about it so then I would get beat by his kids because the cops would come..they were very cruel and loved to het me beat and humiliated.One time I was made to go in the parking lot and pick up all the cigarette butts and eat them because his son would tell him a four year old me! wasn’t smoking when I wasn’t. That’s the things that were fun to them all while my mom watched,they still laugh about it till this day..I never felt part of the family as you can see, My little heart was broken and so was my soul!!How could my mother just stand by and watch,Money he had it she didn’t so I was the sacrificial lamb the black sheap..And while this was going on his employe was molesting me for years and they never new in fact i spent my whole 14th year sleeping at the drug dealers house next door because they showed me more love than home.I guess you could say i had some issue’s.I was beat for anything all the time by anything close enuff to use but, most of the time it was my head in the wall or against something or with the famous closed hand from a man trained to kill with his hands and the size of those hands! Let me tell you were like fucking bear hands fingers like sausage links I shit you not.I started getting in trouble around junior high my step brother Randy use to black mail me and have me steal shit for him or beat me,so I became a thief a pretty good one as it be. It saved me a lot of beatings.Im 43 years old now and still messed up in the head from it and have lasting issues that have plagued my adult life. My mother tells me I’m fine and pushes it under the rug until I fuck up then she wants to help.There all rich now and live in big mansions and have nothing to do with me.i have seen my mom 4 times in the past 13 years and has seen her grand kids 3 times. Her and my dad are still together but live in separate mansions and the two brothers are rich because dad made sure of it. Mom use to send cash all the time to stay connected but would talk shit about having to do it.Dad wont have anything to do with me so I have no other family but my wife and kids.Its been a struggle to not abuse my kids like they did me but I managed to stay away from that behavior.My childhood was nothing but abuse and pain and I’m inflicted by it to this day.I steal for no reason at all,am depressed all the time and have a multitude of behavioral an cycaloglgical problems that have damaged my life to this day.I pray for anyone who has gone through this before or now. I no how you fell,I wanted to kill thim all for a long time and did little things to try and hurt them back that could have turned out bad and had me in prison for life in sure.Its hard to deal with alone when you have no one to turn to but, everyone knows and does nothing not even your mother!! If you want to talk I’m here. Protect are children!!!!!!

Hi,

My family is religious, I became an atheist as I turned 15 years old. If my family knows about it they will disown me. I was always the least supported son in the family, my siblings were all supported financially and emotionally by my parents except for me. I had to leave home when I was only 17 on a death trip to europe to ask for asylum to save my family’s future yet I am always the one who is mistreated and misunderstood. My siblings are irresponsible and have been burning the rest of my parents’ money away while I struggle to live on my own and can barely pay my own medical bills. I’ve always felt as an outcast, my parents never paid attention to me as I never asked for help. Lately I have been trying to speak to them and they accuse me of being greedy when I mention money to them and how I was never supported financially since I left at 17. I have to hide from them my real identity as an atheist and every thought in my mind, otherwise my mom might never forgive me and my siblings and dad will never view me as the same person. This has been hurting me for many years now, I am only 22 and this has taken a toll on me mentally. I feel like I am alone in this world as my community from back home will never accept me as an atheist as well. My friends or the people that I knew never cared about me after I left many years ago, and I never quite got to make friends where I am at right now because I am constantly moving every few months due to my studies. I always feel lonely and I fear someday this might have me do something that I might regret. I wish to find a person that understands my pain and what I’ve been through.

My parents separated 2 months after they married. 2 years 8 months later, my father showed up asking for a divorce and there was me. A child with asthma. They stayed together for the child. Dad was in the Air Force. He was living in New York and loved it..my asthma didn’t. They were reassigned to the New Mexico desert, broke, living in an air stream trailer with no air conditioning. Mom worked nights, dad worked days. He drank and cheated. He left me with men from his squad. Along the way, he managed to impregnate a 14 yr old. My greatest sin was getting up at 5 in the morning singing, and needing breakfast.
He dropped me on the side of rode and drove off when I was 3 because I didn’t sleep during nap time. That night he beat me with his belt. After that, I stripped off all my clothes (they belonged to him) and ran away. I was found and taken to a Dr. They found damage to my private parts. My mother said I masterbated constantly.
When I was 6, my sister was born. At 6 weeks, my dad came home for lunch. It would be the first time they could have sex. She cried. He went to beat her with a belt. I threw myself over her. That set up her hatred and expectation that she did what she wanted and I got beat for it.
Then my mother abandoned us. It was my fault…? I was 7. She came back, it was my fault. She said I didn’t make my bed, I was 8. He put me against a wall and beat me for 2 hours. They took all my dolls that year, and on my birthday gave me a doll that had all it’s joints move. One leg was missing below the knee. Under it’s dress was a strapless bra and split panties. This was 1957.
My father beat my mother across 3 continents. At 15 he raped me because I threatened to call the police when he broke my mother’s
arm in front of me. I went in the Navy at 18, but still went home for Mom. I married, my husband who beat me and cheated. We had two children. He became a Dr. and my parents helped him take my children when I divorced him.
I divorced them all in 1983. In 1995, an unknown brother showed up on the doorstep. Dad gave me his phone # and said I could tell him everything, so I did. He was a psychologist. He demanded my family apologize and he was the product of the rape of that 14 yr old. My sister, now an attorney, threated to sue me if I ever told anyone. My mother died in 96. My daughter was told and her grandfather disowned them (to be fair, I told them stay away from my kids to stop the continuous poisoning). I lost my children too.

Trying to look for advice to give to my husband, this forum has given me insight to why he is the black sheep in his family.

It’s exhausting as an outsider continuously witnessing the poor treatment my husband receives and seeing him fight hard to be accepted by his mother and accepted as a family member. My husbands brother and his wife-to-be are treated like gold despite my husband being the one that lives closeby, comes over to help his mother when she needs it, makes sure in the winter she has a shoveled driveway. My husband fought cancer, gave his mom grandkids that she adores yet family events are planned without him being told until last minute and he’s always laughed at because he has to work hard to get ahead financially when his brother has a cushy job.

We recently threw his mom a wonderful milestone birthday party and the very next day my husband and his brothers fiance got into an argument over her rude comments and his mother involved herself, started name calling my husband and I infront of our kids and went as far as referring to our future sister in law as perfect. My husband at that very moment decided to end ties with his family over the toxicity of how he is treated.

I am the black sheep of my family. I’ve always been the most emotional.

I remember my brother telling me that they were happier when I wasn’t around. My mom once told me that no one liked me and the only people that did like me, didn’t know me. Those kind of comments hurt me deeply. I felt like I had no tribe. I had trouble making friends because I was constantly looking for validation or I just didn’t trust that people liked me. I was so lonely growing up. I felt hated by everyone which I truly believed was rightfully so.

It’s painful, but relieving to recall these parts of growing up, and there is definitely a bright side. I moved far away for college. I thought getting away was best. I made many friends for the first time. I learned that I was likeable. I’ve no had several boyfriends and friends tell me that I am “likeable.” Also, I am a teacher now and I have tons of compassion for “black sheep” kids. I don’t make assumptions about them or write them off.

I truly appreciate that someone out there cares enough about people and relationships to write this article. Thank you.

I was an extreme case or i would like to think I am. I come from a family of doctors. My parents had their own surgery and my 4 brothers and 2 sisters became doctors. Me, well I got nowhere as from as far back as I can remember my parents never talked to me. My brothers and sisters always argued with me and I never knew why. Because of this I struggled at school. Junior school was not to bad as only I and my younger brother went there. I managed to kept the embarrassment of being a Black Sheep quiet. Unfortunately it was different when i moved up to senior school where my other brothers and sisters were. I only lasted a week there as I was attacked by what seems the whole school. I was in hospital from it for a month. I was then moved to a rehabilitation childs hospital where I stayed for 6 months before being discharged. Instead of going home where i felt I would eventually be killed I went to a local forest where in secret since the age of 8 I built a den. I was 12 now and went to live in the forest. I lived a reclusive life until I was 17 when i managed to join the army. I wanted to prove myself that i was not a Black Sheep. I did 2 tours in the Middle east then left. Today I am a private soldier where I work alone. I now and then check to see what my family are doing but they are a no go area for me. They most likely have cut me out.

I was and still am a black sheep. My grandparents blamed my existence as the cause of my mother remaining in am abusive relationship with my father. They called me trash. I was 10. My mother often forgot me at places. Never my brother. When i was 13 she left me by the neighbours, took my older brother with her and i never saw her again. I was raised by those neighbours. My father is trying to make amends but he has always had a terrible temper and when i was 24 he nearly killed my then 4 year old galf sister’s mother with a hammer to the head. Now i live with the two daughters (in their late 50’s – i am 34) and i believe that they are gaslighting and dictating me. But i lost my job. They spent my pension money in couple of months. I cant live with my father. He tries but he is terrifying when angry. They all hate my boyfriend. I have no friends. I am so tired.

Thank-you to all who have commented on this website. It has been extremely beneficial to myself.

Regards
Christine

I am a black sheep. My sister has cut me out of her life because apparently I am ‘sarcastic and opinionated’ she has always tried to do everything I have done E.g. I buy a car she has to, I book a holiday she does! The list is endless the only difference is she’s always had to rely on my parents for everything! Money (owes them thousands) practically doing everything for her and her family! I’ve always been very independent and so are my children whereas her and her family have always relied on our parents! My parents see no wrong in anything she does, they don’t seem bothered that she has cut me out of her life and so has her daughter! They have also stopped talking to my 13 year old son. They just say I have to accept it and move on! That really hurts as I would never let my grown children not want to talk again! I feel my parents don’t care that it’s gone to this, and act like it’s the norm! She seemed to get worse after my grandson was born 15 months ago (her grandson is 3 and they were concerned he is in the spectrum as is her 30 year old son) it has torn me apart emotionally and I struggle so much at time, remembering what we all had as a once loving and close family!

I have always been the black sheep. Never knew why. My feelings have never mattered and my sister has always treated me like a loser. Very confused and hurt. Why am I the only one in my family that can ever apologize. I do it because holding onto the hurt is to hard for me. My sister know has turned her kids against me I still don’t know why. Because her family has money and I was a single mom doing it all on my own. But even as a young kid she would call me a loser.
Thanks for letting me vent.

I am the black sheep of my family. I have always felt that way as far back as I can remember. I only had 2 family members that didn’t treat me that way, my grandparents. My grandmother is now 96, in a nursing home and can’t remember who I am until I tell her and my grandfather passed away when I was 19, he was my constant. Now at the age of almost 50 and going through therapy again have I realized that I have emotional trauma from my childhood at the hands of my mother. I have attachment disorder, I am unable to regulate my emotions and I am failing at my marriage because I don’t know how to have a relationship in a healthy way. It is hard to see how your mother and sometimes my father treat you so much differently than your sibling. I have had numerous people throughout my life tell me how nice and sweet my mother is to them as they ask how she is doing. In the past I would respond in a decent manner until I got tired of lying. Now I speak the truth that the person they see and know is NOT the person I know and she doesn’t treat me nice or sweet.

I have resulted to not going to my parents house if I think my mom is going to be there or out of bed. She looks for things to say that knows will upset me. She thinks I should keep “paying” for things I have done in the past, like it is her job to make sure I keep all of my transgressions out in front so no one will forget it especially me. When my children go to see her, she talks badly and negatively about me to them. They are old enough now to see what is going on and rarely go to see her because of it. Still….I am the one wrong. She will demean anything I do. I have a decent job and make decent money. But am told I don’t really work….all I do is punch buttons all day. While my sibling has a very hard job and she is worried about her. My job is less meaningful because it is not a physical job. When I am at their house and if I say most anything with any kind of emotion I am told to just shut up or keep your opinion to yourself.

Even with going through therapy many times throughout my life and currently in 2 different ones and knowing she is the way she is and I can’t change her. I can’t understand why and I can’t see myself ever being happy with my life.

I’m the black sheep because I was “the gifted one.” My narc mother hyperfixated on me because I was her only daughter and made me practice piano for 2hrs a day. I was artistic and good at school. My older brothers ganged up on me all the time. My parents ignored me unless it was to hit me for doing wrong or to criticize me to try harder towards goals they set.

My oldest brother molested me for well over a decade from the age of 4. My parents found out eventually and didnt get either of us therapy and the abuse simply continued. They eventually kicked my brother out. Parents just kept it hush hush to protect their reputation.

When that all came out 2 decades later my parents blamed me for stirring the pot and trying to ruin my oldest brother’s life and marriage, while I tried to deal with the trauma in my 20s and worry that my nieces will face the same abuse. My middle brother, when he found out, tried to start a brawl with the oldest at my grandfather’s funeral while I desperately tried to calm him down cause it wasnt the time, nor place.

I am perpetually having to be the bigger more mature person in all these relationships. I am judged by my extended family as well because I was apparently a brat who acted out as a child (wonder why!) and they all still hold the same opinions of me despite my personality changing drastically after I began to heal emotionally.

I hold them all at arms length to protect myself emotionally but we still have contact. Its constantly a struggle knowing I have virtually no support and everyone judges me based off impressions I made as a mouthy 6 yr old. Only my immediate family and close friends know of the extreme abuse.

My mom used to say I had “self-induced” middle child syndrome. But not only am I a middle child but I am also the only one with a different father.

My parents are over critical of me and often talk down on me behind my back. Im the screw up in their eyes. I recently learned that they’re embarrassed to have my photos of me next to me siblings up because I “look like I struggle too much”. Seems like no matter what I do its never good enough.

I’m proud to be the “Black Sheep”, without me my siblings couldn’t sleep at night! I would never want to be them. They are judgemental, narcissistic, pretentious, selfish and miserable. So, I am content with the hand I was dealt.

Ever since I was a toddler, I had to fight to be included in the fun my older brothers were having. I’m the black sheep bc I got bad grades and have learning disabilities. I got bullied every day and my parents did ZERO to stop it. It’s like they encouraged it. Now in present day, I’m not bullied but I’m ignored. Whenever there’s a family event, I never hear about it and when one brother visits the other, they totally forget that I exist. My sister in law does nothing to make me feel included. It’s like there’s a tension there like I should just get up and leave. As a result of this, I have little to do with them.

Thank you for the article!I am also the black sheep of the family. And from my experience, I can only add to this post- such family dynamics are very hard or practicly impossible to change. So my advice to all black sheeps- distance yourself and live your life withot this family, as continuing to communicate is only going to wear you out, and its very slim chance your family members will ever see you as this wounderful person you are…
My story fits well within these frameworks-I grew in highly dysfunctional home, even that it was considered by many a perfect family (no substance abuse, hard working, good parents, etc) so I was chosen by my mother to be black sheep and to be blamed for everything, as I was brightest, most sensitive, visualy different… my mother would often say I am not her child and neglected me in any way possible (for example, i was blamed for anything, what was wrong in our family, i was called fat and ugly-even if my waight was in fact on smaller size- once I was drowning, and she not only didnt rescue me, she even has no memory of such incident, she send me go shoping for family groceries by myselve, since I was 6, the bags I carried were oftentimes so heavy i chouldnt carry and shop assistans would go asking where are my parents, I had to take care for my younger siblings, even if i was just year or few older then them and couldnt take such responsability, and had to do this instead doing my homework, meeting my friens, etc of course she newer considered my needs, and i got punished for even expressing them, newer once she looked at my school tasks, needs and questions, she even managed to make me working instead of her, since I was 14, i still can not figure out why her job collegues newer did anything about that?,etc,etc) so naturally, that attitude was picked by my siblings, who were also calling me names, breaking my things, etc. Normally you would think after childhood and teenage years like that, one would cut away all ties with family and newer come back. But thats the sinister side of the black sheep-somehow you can not escape that easily, somehow you feel connected. And in my case, over the years, I tried to change my family dynamic and restart my relationship with adult siblings on more normal gruonds (as for my mother I somehow knew she is not going to change, so I learned how to avoid or minimise communication). And even if on the first glance my relationship with siblings seemed to be decent-not close, but not abusive, every difficult situation, every problem would create abusive response from their side, they go on as to humiliate me in front of other people. Besides I noticed, that they tend to somehow be ashamed of me, and see me as looser, ugly, worfless, all my jobs for them seemed to be a joke, all my acheivements were nothing, they ould use every ocasion to gossip about me, and so on-and keep in mind they think this about the person, who by our society standarts is considered a success-thought as beauty by most, worked in high position with goverment projects, owns business, presenting research results in international events, etc etc . So I come to very painful realisation, that if my siblings had courrage at least to come out and honestly say they hate me, we would have a chance to try to work out our relationship. But unfortunately, they stick so much to this hate, so they see me through a broken glass, probably becouse if they would be honest to themselves, they have to conclude they werent very nice siblings to be so abusive towards me, to say the least, and they of course think themselves as good people, so this abuse doasnt fit in such framework of good person.
So to conclude-after all troubles with family, soulsearching, self help books, therapy, etc etc-now I do live happy life the way I want it with the people, who see me as highly acomplished, bright, kind human being. And just becouse I am that, I tried to make my family relationships better. But if they choose to stay abusive, I can only respect that decision and go to live my life as far away from such people as possible. And the goid news:
Im not anymore in this family so im not anymore the black sheep! 🙂 be happy everyone!

I am the black sheep of my family.

My interests and achievements outglow everyone in my family because I am an overachiever, however, I feel like everyone on my mum’s side hates me even my sister has the power to leave me out of family events and gatherings and I begin to feel invisible again. It feels like no one can save me and at times my father was the only one that comforted me but he is no longer here. When my father passed away last month it just got worse and I noticed my mum only speaks about my sister and how proud she is with her as well as my gran and uncle. Last year they made me look bad in front of my father for getting sick because I overstudied so they broke my phone and forbid me from contacting my friends again. 🙁 🙁

At times I get back up and fight to be strong because I don’t expect life to be easy for me but sometimes find myself at a bottomless pit missing my dad and friends dearly. 🙁

Even though I am the most reliable one in my family, the one who does everything for my sister, mum, and uncle, in fact, everyone I just wished I felt loved and belonged.

Even though I forbid myself to show it I feel like these emotions sometimes numb me, even though I am secretly like this I know it’s not right to make my problems anyone elses because I still care for them not to stress them as well as I feel that no one will understand me.

Last time they shouted at me for being honest so I think it’s best I keep it to myself, I also wish I had my friends in the past but chances are they forgot about me or don’t see me as important to them anymore 🙁 like how they are still important to me even though it has been years since I saw them I wish I can tell them everything but I feel like I will be judged. 🙁

Sometimes I become paralyzed with all of my emotions, hopefully, I am still a fighter like my dad used to say.

I have come to accept that this is how it is. I have also come to accept that it is not my fault. In every dysfunctional family, there is a black sheep. I am it. I do not conform to the patterns set by my family. I do not revel in putting others down, believe material gain is the most important, and I am the only one who is sober. For many years I had blamed myself, believing that it was my fault that I did not fit in. Then, I earnestly looked at what I was so longing to fit- fit in with people only if I conform to what they want me to do, be, and say? No.

I started experiencing extremely vivid, painful, recurring nightmares of sexual abuse around the age of 12. Waking up sweating, panicking, screaming, kicking or punching things. The school I was in started to pull me almost daily into the office. When I started high school I was forced to obtain therapy from the school. And later forced to undergo sleep therapy studies in combination with therapist sessions and visits to psychologists and psychiatrists. At this time my father decided to stop paying my mother child support and claimed I was a mentally I’ll drug addict. My mom couldn’t afford to keep me in the house, and between school and therapy I wasn’t able to contribute financially. I begged my siblings to talk to my dad to settle any disputes because even then I knew for some reason my dad would listen to them more. I ended up homeless for my teenage years, and eventually ended up getting into University for Biology, and then double majored with my second in Astronomy Astrophysics. After school I worked as an environmental technician and eventually went on to construction and property development.

I believed my family would appreciate the struggles I went through and my odd path to relative success. But for some reason they still ignore me, exclude me from family occasions, even slander me any chance they get. My siblings live with their father even in their 30’s….I own my home on 5 acres yet I am 27……but still I am excluded, still I am slandered…My mother is the only one who talks to me. And my siblings just this year accused me of being a methamphetamine user to my mother in an attempt to have her mad with me, I marched straight to the police station myself and offered blood, urine, and hair. The officer in charge even thought it was highly odd that they would say such a false accusation.

My mom at a later point was discussing with me what she thinks is wrong with my older brother (7 years older and no job, assets, education, or passion in life). She brought the idea that he could have been sexually abused as a child (mind you, only the professionals knew the details of my nightmares at this time, I was always too embarrassed and ashamed to talk about details, let alone I’d start shaking crying and unable to speak if I start remembering).

I saw her asking me this as a red flag and decided share my nightmares with her just this year at 27. My mother then started crying…..apparently as a 4 year old I came crying to her saying that someone has stuck something inside of me and it hurt…. As she mentioned it and described the location, it was like a wave of memories came back…… Now she wants me to go to hypnosis or police or something because we believe there could be a sexual predator in our family as there was only family around at that time.

Sorry for the drawn out beginning, but I feel my story can help other black sheep that may be also struggling with a similar problem.

Through many dangers, toils, and snares, i’ve come to realize that whatever happens in this life, i’m here to fulfill an important purpose, and so is everyone else. NEVER, and I mean, NEVER doubt your worth and value as a human being NO MATTER WHAT SLANDER, HURT, OR CRUELTY IS SENT OUT TO YOU FROM ANYONE BECAUSE YOUR LIFE IS PRECIOUS AND SO ARE YOU! PURSUE ALL THE THINGS YOU ENJOY AND ARE GOOD AT BECAUSE YOU WERE CREATED BY GOD, IN HIS IMAGE AND HE LOVES YOU VERY MUCH!!! I COULD ALWAYS SEE THROUGH THE LIES AND HYPOCRISY OF OTHERS SINCE I WAS SMALL, BUT CAME TO REALIZE THAT THEY WERE HURTING TOO, AND IT’S BETTER TO BACK OFF AND GET AWAY ON A NATURE WALK AND SEE ALL THE BEAUTY THAT WE ARE ALL A PART OF AND CAME FROM…THIS MADE IT EASIER TO UNDERSTAND, LOVE, AND FORGIVE OTHERS, AND EVEN SEE THE HUMOUROUS SIDE OF THEM, WHICH SHED A NEW LIGHT ON THE SITUATION AND MADE THINGS LESS SCARY AND FRUSTRATING. I HAD A FAVOURITE AUNT WHO WAS ALSO MISUNDERSTOOD OFTEN BY OTHERS, INCLUDIING SOME FAMILY MEMBERS, YET SHE WAS SO INTERESTING, LOVING, AND KIND, AND A WONDERFUL PERSON WHO I ALWAYS LOVED TO VISIT…HER NAME WAS HOPE AND THAT IS ONE THING THAT ALWAYS SHONE THROUGH IN HER LIFE AND THE WAY SHE LIVED IT,,,SHE LOVED TO TEND HER BEAUTIFUL GARDEN AND GREW REALLY BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS….WE ARE ALL LIKE GARDENS THAT NEED AND DESSERVE TENDING TO….AND YOU’RE REALLY WORTH IT-PLEASE REMEMBER THAT☺

Hurts to talk about this. Mind boggling and teeth clenching. They don’t see themselves as perpetrators or at fault in anyway. It’s always me,in they’re narrative,who is the antagonist. They have plotted against me and caused others to join their growing army of hatred. I hate them all and fantasize about destroying them and their greedy manipulating associates.

I am (F) 2nd child of 4. 1 older (M), 1 younger (F), then last (M). I was picked on, pulled across the kitchen by my hair while told I didn’t clean right, same happened in bathroom. My siblings stood outside the window pointed and laughed. Tapped on the window and ran around outside. Both my parents beat me. I was thrown down stairs, punched, kicked, hit with boards, hose, had things broken over me, told I was a slut when I kissed a guy I knew at 15 (no tongue). I was quarantined inside while my siblings went out. My sister did drugs, had a sexual relationship and I did nothing. I am 57, have 5 successful and wonderful adult children. I wanted to have my own family, one that I didn’t get. I tried to reconnect with my family and did the pretending for 10 or more years. My siblings kids spit on mine and called them names, broke their toys (history repeats itself)? My brother’s daughter started drama with me and all my siblings jumped on board and I was kicked out after a lot of abuse. It’s been 5 years since I have talked to them, except for hear and there. My sister used to get the younger kids to tell me they hate me and family gatherings, and yet she acts like she is the perfect one. I told them recently to please just leave me alone. It hurts and I am not sure why, I was never accepted and always abused. All 5 of my kids are successful and we have a great relationship. 4 are moved out and my daughter is going to graduate in a couple months. My younger brother never had kids, my sister one, my oldest brother 4. My sisters kid is a bully and has been in some trouble, but not much. All of my brothers kids have anger issues, start fights, been in trouble with the law. They are close to 30 now and 1 of them has straightened out, the other 3 still get into trouble. I talk to my parents all the time and we go out. I have been married 15 years and they seem to accept me when I have a spouse, not when it is just me. Me and my spouse get along fantastic. I have been married 3 times and was hit and abused in my other 2 marriages. So I figure I am healing since my husband now is someone I thought I would never have, supportive and thinks I am good. I would like to know how to get rid of the pain.

I have always been the Black Sheep. I am the oldest and have a sister a year younger. I believe that I have always been the stronger one, and my sister was always the one that needed my parent’s approval. I have always had a strong will and stood my ground. Being a Black sheep isn’t always bad. However, because of that, I did always feel less loved by my Mom. As I got older, I realized that wasn’t true, but that emotional hurt did have an impact on me my whole life.

I guess I am the unofficial black sheep of the family and goodness if I know why. Our parents have passed. I have sisters. I am invited to nothing. I am the topic for conversation for them, their families and gossip with them and mutual friends. I am the conservative one..the youngest. I have experienced troubles in My marriage, I used to talk to sisters to vent or share.. I did not want anything fixed by them or them to give or help with anything. I wanted no advice just an ear. My husband doesn’t help because he has so many quirks and is eccentric. They don’t like him. I guess their loyalty to me is love..I don’t know. I was caregiver to one of our parents..after passing, that’s when things just went south. No clue.

I have racked my brains trying to figure all this out..I went to a counselor, I know I’m not perfect, I own my faults..I feel like a failure but counselor said “it seems your family has failed you..not you failing them”

I just miss family.

I’m the black sheep. Ever since I can remember, my mother treated me like I was a nothing, as if I didn’t matter while my two brothers were put on a pedestal and could do no wrong. She was overly critical of me, not affectionate, and physically abusive. She especially loved to humiliate me in front of others.

I didn’t feel loved or valued.

She continued to treat me this way even after I was an adult, refusing to recognize my achievements and excluding me from family events. And when my husband and I moved back home following his stint in the military, she even treated my three kids like this, putting my brother’s kids on a pedestal while ignoring mine.

I had to put some distance between us for my children’s welfare. We were estranged for more than 20 years, and during that time, she turned most of the family against me. But after my brother died two years ago, I let her back into my life. I felt sorry for her as she was 82, frail, and in poor health. I decided that I wanted to be there for her in the end, felt it was my duty.

Our relationship didn’t change much. I was still excluded from the inner circle, and she didn’t seem to care about my life or my kids. She never asked about us and only talked about herself. I realized that she would never be the loving mother I’d always wanted her to be, that what was broken couldn’t be fixed.

She even kept the news from me when she was very ill.

Now, she’s in the hospital dying, and I’m having to deal with a lifetime of abuse, which has affected me negatively in countless ways. I do love her as she’s my mother, and I’m grieving badly, but I realize that she also caused me a huge amount of pain.

I’m there for her though, even paying for her funeral as no one else in the family can afford to or even chip in.

So why did she hate me so much? I think very differently from her–even from an early age, I always kind of felt like I didn’t belong with my family. But I think the brunt of her motive was jealousy as she was always very competitive with me. I believe she was afraid that I’d outdo her. And I have. I’ve struggled all of my life to prove her wrong, and I’ve had great success with my artwork and writing.

Sadly, my mother has never seen any of it.

Hi an interesting post! My world has been turned upside down by the death of my mother 2 months ago. We’ve always been a close family and mum always helped keep us grounded and together. My father is devastated and I haven’t wanted to leave him by himself in the house as it felt too brutal. I was caring for mum during her illness and I miss her so badly. I feel numb for the most part, but the overwhelming feeling I’m getting is that of deep insecurity and a sense that my father and siblings are aloof and exclusive. I’m an alcoholic in recovery, I’ve relapsed since the death and I understand that this causes friction, but I feel like nothing I do is good enough and that my grief is completely overlooked. My son and partner are persona non gratas in this family so are not allowed in the house this impacting the upset and loneliness I feel. I’m so insecure and absolutely emotionally exhausted, I check in with my siblings frequently, I never get any concern about how I’m getting on apart from snide remarks about my drinking, my circumstances and my children.
I’m lost and confused and angry

I was sexually abused by my older brother for ten years of my childhood, and he devoted his childhood and adulthood to dividing our family and extended family by controlling, manipulating, lying, and deceiving everyone. And it has worked. Just about everyone in our family hates me. There have been times when my parents almost hated me and never spoke to me again over something he lied about. And my husband (now ex) got in on the action, too, when he was cheating on me with my “best friend” Kim, and my brother was screwing her too. When I found out about my friend, I told her to take a hike and at that point she made up all kinds of things about me that my brother and ex-husband spread about me throughout the town, the church, and our family (both mine and his). My entire family disowned me, I was hated at church and ended up quitting, and I think my ex even told this bullshit to our three sons (I overheard him one night telling them all kinds of other stuff). I have a son who has hated me since about the time those rumors started getting spread. He hasn’t talked to me in five years, and he’s never told me why. With the exception of my mother and one person I used to work with, no one has ever bothered to talk to me about any of the rumors and try to get at the truth. But my brother has even done a stint in prison and is a proven pathological liar, but they would rather support him and my ex-husband. My aunt even told me that she supports my ex-husband over me, they absolutely don’t believe me, and everyone has taken his side and my brother’s side. I can’t begin to tell you how damaging this has been to me, and I feel for all the people who have written comments because they are going through something like it themselves. It’s awful to be the black sheep and not fit in to your own family or church or community, but there is absolutely nothing I can do about it except continue to try to hold my head up high because I know the truth, and just go on with my life. I ended up moving away and that’s made it a lot easier. But to everyone else out there who is the black sheep of their family, just know you’re not alone. And to the author, thank you for this article.

I consider myself a black sheep, but not so much for the reasons mentioned above. I consider myself as such because my “family”, with whom I’ve severed contact, refuse to acknowledge the truth – mother is a narcissist and the golden child son is her flying monkey. There are many family secrets, and I’m the only one willing to tell the truth. As a result, I’ve been ostracized throughout the years (“2. One person is often, and on a long-term basis, talked about negatively behind his back.”) despite my numerous efforts over the years to try keeping the “family” together. I severed ties for good 12.31.2019.

I don’t know if you’d consider my description as a black sheep, but it sure feels like it. I’m working through it on my own, and am currently seeking a new therapist. Thanks for this post.

I am not sure if I’m really „the“ black sheep. Our family is dysfunctional as hell.
My mother is very insecure and she tries to be supportive but every time she’s not pleased with something she belittles me in front of my siblings or talks with them or her ”friends” behind my back. Afterwards, she tells me that it’s not her but me. I’m just so cold towards her and I never talk to her about my feelings. Well, just saying but how can I talk to her about my feelings when she doesn’t show them herself. She tells us that she strives for harmony and that talking about things just gives it more meaning and makes it worse. She talks about the problems of other people but not our own. To others she makes it seem as if we’re a happy family even though we had some misfortunes. We’re not. My mother and my father despise each other but there’s one thing they love more than badmouthing one another. It’s telling their children (mostly me) that they’re like the ”other” parent when they’ve gone out of insults. Still to them, I’m the problem child. My father prefers my sister because she’s got such a sunny personality and my mother likes my brother the best because he’s very depended on her and is a dreamer by heart. So that makes me the child that has problems connecting with them at the same level. I’m very responsible and have always been. My older sister had gotten very sick when she was little and had, therefore, been their priority. I understood that and I tried to support them. I am/was very independent and I just didn’t show love in the same way they did. Fake kisses and empty ”I love you’s” didn’t cut it. I wanted my actions to speak louder than my words. I tried to show them, my love, in my own way but they never understood. It doesn’t matter what I do or what I say, I’ll always be the oddball. The one who doesn’t appreciate them. The one that thinks to much. Yeah, basically ”a” black sheep. I don’t know if my siblings feel the same.

I tried to change it but the pattern persists. Anyhow, I’m not going to let myself wallow in self-pity. I’m going to get my degree and live my life to the fullest extent.

I am the black sheep. From an early age I’ve been treated differently by both my parents. Sibling rivalry also adds to the equation, as I have a sister who has always been extremely insecure and has succeeded in carreling my siblings, leaving me out of the family. It hurts, a lot, even though I’m an adult. I know in my head there’s nothing I can do to change how they treat me; however, it still greatly pains my heart. I do all I can to accept that they are spiritually sick and often wrong, but the sting of being excluded and made to feel like I’m nothing continues. I keep praying God will bring people into my life who will love me and be there for me; as I’ve sadly come to accept, my family will not be.

I’m the black sheep of my family and really for no apparent reason I’ve given my parents the least grief compared to my sibling never been to jail was a scholar in school never was in trouble besides a school fight in the 4th grade I’m 26 now have kept a job since I was 14 and really just go about my own business but every thing I seem todo isnt “right” I’ve always been a smart a wise kid and have always been able to read adults well and known not everybody is perfect even thought they want to give off that image as ibe gotten older in my own mind I see myself as the “Dr. Phil” of my family but no one wants to hear out the black sheep of the family even though we (at least in my case) have the answers the family may need, I’ve also seen alot in my youth that made me grow up fast from sexual abuse from my older sibling which has never been disclosed to gang violence as to growing up in the inner city amd even more that’s to much to write but I’m always told “I havent lived enough” although I’ve honestly been through more than anybody in the immediate household reading this article made feel that I’m not alone and I’m glad I came across it thank you.

I do not want my son to feel excluded. He is 19 and for the past 3 years he never wants to do anything with us as a family. He and his older sister used to be close, but he chooses to spend his free time away from us and claims he just doesn’t fit in. I don’t understand if it is just an age/ stage or what. When we’re on family vacations and it is just the 5 off us, then we all have great times together and seem close like old times.

I know my parents, one more than the other (but not much more) neglected me emotionally (not physically by any means). I was the black sheep and my siblings picked up on it and went with it and…now here we are 30+ years later. I get it, it happens (although it shouldn’t). I have emotional issues because of it and I am in therapy. All that is me. However…

…the part I am having the most trouble with is not “how could this happen?” or “why me?” but “I’m almost 40, how the h*** didn’t I realize this before?” I mean, I know I was being treated differently (to put it mildly) than the rest of the family, but my parents always gaslighted everything…even to the point of denying things 3 minutes later. My own father (who wasn’t perfect for reasons all his own) recently told me that my mother wasn’t very loving towards me (starting like days after birth). He wasn’t trying to throw her under the bus and was very careful how he worded everything and he admitted his own mistakes. I was well cared for physically. Always, clothed, fed, and housed…but emotionally “oh, knock it off,” and so on. Once even tol my mother I loved her (8 or so years old) and she told me to knock it off. To this day (starting with a decision made right then and there at the age of 8) still to this day have never told my mother I loved her (without a very awkward “Iyeah, …lo..ove..you..too” in return that she’s never noticed wasn’t said sincerely). The point is…I was gaslighted and now feel like maybe none of what I remember happened and I’m just an ungrateful child who’s looking to blame s*it I caused in my life on other people. Yeah, well, I didn’t throw myself on the floor of my bedroom or threaten to throw me in the river or to shoot me with a shot gun. Doesn’t even matter that they didn’t even own a gun. But gaslighting = “did that really happen or not?” …and you go on wondering if you’re just a spoiled idiot (even severely mentally ill to the point of experiencing memories that didn’t happen) or really do have reason to be emotionally hurt.

I do have issues with bad relationships and the whole “if I just do the one right thing then everything will be fixed” issue and I blame women when it comers to relationships for things my mom did. Like “all women just want money and no money equals single forever and I’m single because I’m not a millionaire.” Totally what I saw in my mother based on how she projected herself (without even knowing it, I’m sure). My dad even once asked why I was dating because I had no money. I do have money, but not like he does. I’m constantly angry (although sometimes I do laugh and smile and don’t usually show the anger outwardly) and I constantly live in a minor state of fight or flight. I’m aware of my surrounds in public and always check to make sure who entered the room…even when I don’t really care…”something else I need to possibly deal with.” In public, nothing usually is anything I need to be concerned with. Also, I’m constantly in the “one more thing…one more…” state of mind. And, I feel like everything everyone does is because of their hatred of me (my dad blames even stuff that wasn’t possible for me to have caused and as an adult my siblings admitted to purposely breaking rules to watch me get punished for it). But, guess what…none of it ever happened. Yeah, well Mom and Dad then why do I remember it? All of it? Huh?

But (which is my biggest issue) why would I not realize this until I was almost 40? Like I wasn’t seeing things right there in front of my face. I did have resentful, awkward, feelings towards my parents, like being around them as an adult was weird for no reason and I felt something strong toward them that wasn’t exactly love. I respect my father, but cannot deal with my mother continually ignoring how I feel (no matter what I feel) and always listing the reasons that any important decision I make is wrong…like I have zero self awareness. I have issues with it, sure, but I’m far from zero (I do recognize myself in the mirror).

But why did it take me so long to even begin to understand any of it? …to break through the “my family isn’t perfect but nowhere as bad (mostly, but not all) as I remember them being” facade? And how do I get over the guilt? Neither parent was 100% bad and did do nice things that I do appreciate, but how do I separate (and continue to appreciate) those things from the things that hurt me?

And why do I feel like because I didn’t recognize it at the time it happened then that negates it having happened? And how do I let that go so I can begin healing?

I ticked off everything on your list . I grew up with a mother who hated me so much she used to hold my funeral in front of me. I’m actually having flashbacks because Trump reminds me so much of her . You couldn’t disagree with her either about anything , liking a color, music or a movie that she didn’t like for example .i got screamed at for days for buying a 45 record with my own money . I finally figured out that she was a problem when I as a very young woman, watched One flew over the cuckoos nest -she acted just like nurse Ratched .Add in sexual hysteria like Carrie’s mother and you got my mother .Father was more inclined to beat us and scream at us because he was in a bad mood when he deigned to come home about once a week. He would always disrupt your plans . Have a hobby you liked. He’d forbid it just because. Want to hang with a bestie . I remember my sister getting grounded for a week just for that . Both had arbitrary ridiculous rules and my fathers violent sadistic behavior blighted my elementary school years. I remember shaking in terror when he was in the house. It wasn’t until later when I got that top ten list of abusive behaviors from
A DV place. That’s when I understood why I was so messed up emotionally. Mom routinely did 9 of them and dad did all ten ( I wasn’t sexually abused by him)

Rodney,
I feel as though I’m a black sheep, because I was born out of wedlock during a time when it was looked down upon. My grandparents raised me, and I called my mom by her first name. Never knew or have met my father. The holidays are tough because I love my family but feel strange and uncomfortable when I’m around. A feeling like they really don’t want me there. It’s confusing because I don’t know if it’s just me or if it’s really happening. The last couple of holidays I’ve attended. Though things went well. As long as I praise and talk about how great they are, and keep myself out of the conversation. I feel bad when I pull away, but just as bad or even worst when I see them. My mother is getting older now and I feel obligated. Is it wrong of me, to not want to see them again. Only time I hear from anyone, is when a family member has died, they have something new that they want to show me, or if they need help moving. Why would I want to keep putting myself thru this.

I am the family black sheep and my mother has managed to turn both my grown up children against me. I have no one. Most of the time I carry on regardless but feel very very hurt and upset having learned today my WHOLE family have been invited to my Son and his girlfriend’s house for Christmas day whilst I’m left on my own. I feel so close to breaking down. There’s nothing I can do.

I am the major black sheep in a large family clan where I am never invited. I learned to get along alone however recently my marriage turned incredibly sour when my husband became ill with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. So I am forced to be on my own again and my family (due to my black sheep role) are invisible for support. They have simply turned their collective back on me, right when I need family support the most. Who wouldn’t need family support going through a divorce when there’s illness involved? I’m really blown away by materialistic interests to the point where really good, honest people are shunned. I helped two sisters through their divorces. I cooked, cleaned, and laundered my way through childhood so my mother could go back to work and become a judge. I have given so much in the past and now is my time of need. No one, absolutely no one from that family will even so much as pick up the phone.

I have a different exsperense than most of you I was shown alot of attention as a child more than my other siblings. I think this was because I almost died during childberth and was sick for while. Now that I am older and my parents have passed away my twin brother and his family have been treating me like the black sheep seem to enjoy antagonizing me. It started soon after mother passed. I have come to realize it’s not so bad being the black sheep if you can avoid the other sheep and the wolves dressed in sheeps clothing. Sometimes I miss them but I only have to think of there dirty deeds to dismiss thoes feelings.

I am the black sheep of my family. I am 14 now and I lost my dad at 10. I have 3 sisters and my mom. My mom never cares to listen to me about my issues in school and makes me attend a class that does the same thing over and over when I have it down. I am failing in school. I took a test and I have very high anxiety and depression. I don’t have any friends that like to hang out with me and I don’t have a dad to help me become a man. I have learned everything so far from 10 to now by myself. One of my sisters, who is 20, bosses me around and treats our family dog better than me. Our dog hates me and every time I come home, she growls and runs away from me. I am very lonely and I have ADHD, a little short and long term memory loss. Only very important things like losing my dad is what I remember. No-one wants to stick up for me and I can’t do anything about it. I have no interests in anything and I will get shortness of breath, my legs will go out, I will get severe head blackouts. Like my eyes close almost all the way and I get a pounding in my head and feel sick, then it goes away. This get’s worse every day. I have no way to share or bring out my feelings. And so I try not to, but I do take it out on my family. I have anger issues too. I can’t do anything to get these feelings away. I’m not brave enough to let the Emotional Abuse people know. I told them I accidentally clicked on the page. But my family absolutely hates me. They say, “no we don’t”. But actions speak louder than words. They think I’m some dumb, immature little kid, but if they only knew how smart I am. They think I don’t know what they are doing, but I do.

I am a black sheep. I left my family when I was 14. I went to college and made a life for myself. I married and had my own family to love. My family sought out my youngest son and filled him with lies about me. They turned him against me and now he is dead. I literally ran away from them but they still seek me out just to cause me pain. I don’t know what else to do.