How to Respond When an Emotionally Immature Parent Says, “That Never Happened”

When you bring up something painful from your past and your parent says, “That never happened,” it can feel like hitting an emotional brick wall.

Here are a few ways to respond that can help protect your reality, even if they’ll never validate it.

• “It’s okay if you remember it differently. This is how it felt to me.”
• “If you keep denying it, I’m going to need to end this conversation.”
• “We are allowed to have different memories.”
• “I know you don’t remember this. I do.”
• “We may disagree on the details. You can still understand my feelings and point of view.”
• “I cannot discuss this with you.”
• “I remember it. It happened, even if you want to forget.”