Growing up parents were patronizing with an amused attitude?

Question

Growing up, did anyone's parents act like their behavior was always amusing?

I realise my parents were pretty patronizing with an amused attitude, as though my actions were always something to look at with a "how amusing" attitude that one would give a three year old. I'm talking about teen years here too, and normal activities such as talking on the phone, hanging out with friends, even just going to the mall. My parents would smirk, or comment on simple activities like that.


Now that I'm fully grown, I wonder if this is where some of my social anxiey comes from, I constantly think people are going to laugh at me. And I also realise their behavior was somewhat odd... or at least odd to me. They didn't go out much, or have many friends, I remember.

I can't pinpoint it, but I can vaguely remember how amazed I was when I went to some friend's houses and their parents didn't comment on stuff they did.

Anyone grow up in a similar situation?

Answer 1

They sound like they were trying to control your behavior. Sometimes people do not know how to speak to kids. Try to forget your upbringing and take responsibility for yourself. It is too easy to blame one's parents for everything. If you survived into adulthood, just be glad for that. It does no good to dwell on the past.

Answer 2

My parents were like that. The day I turned 18 I told them I'm moving out. They started in "But what will people think?" I told him I don't know and I don't ******' care, I'm outta here. Packed my things and left. I did all the laughing and they did all the crying. To this day I still don't care what other people think. I do whatever I want, when I want and how I want.

Answer 3

To be honest, I had a physically abusive parent. I don't remember much about how either parent acted or things they said. I tended to either be out of the house, away from the situation as much as possible or in my room--door closed---reading or listening to music. I just avoided interaction with either of my parents.