Mom Justifies Her "No Contact" Relationship With Her Son — Why SHE Is Being Called a Gaslighter
In the age of social media, where opinions fly faster than ever, one video sparked a wildfire of controversy, shedding light on a topic often brushed under the rug: parent-child relationships.
Brianna Knight is the millennial "doula in training" who took to her platform to express her bewilderment at parents who seem unfazed by their adult children's decision to cut ties — a phenomenon known as "no contact."
Little did she know, her words would ignite a heated response from a mother named Julie, whose reaction left many questioning the dynamics of familial bonds.
Angry Mother Responds To Viral Video Encouraging Better Parenting
This 3-part video saga begins with a simple video posted by a millennial woman, whose candid commentary on parent-child relationships struck a nerve in the online community. In her impassioned monologue, she questions the perplexing phenomenon of parents seemingly unfazed by their adult children's decision to cut ties — a practice commonly referred to as "no contact."
"I just don't get it," she muses to her followers. "How can a parent act like it's no big deal when their own child decides to go no contact? It's like they're completely unbothered by it."
But she didn't know her words would provoke a response that would reverberate across social media platforms. Enter Julie, a middle-aged mother with fiery red hair and a demeanor to match. In her luxurious kitchen, adorned with the trappings of affluence, she confronts the millennial woman's critique with a venomous retort.
She Said Putting Her Son First Made Her Want To "Kill Herself"
"Oh sweetie, I probably shouldn't address this because I'm too emotional about it," Julie begins, her tone dripping with disdain. "But I will say this: Since my son has cut me off and gone no contact, I can do two things. I can remove myself from this planet or I can just totally shut my emotions and all my feelings down."
- Julie (@goosegrese56 /TikTok)
The stark contrast between the millennial's earnest inquiry and Julie's defensive outburst sets the stage for a showdown of generational perspectives on parent-child relationships. As the video exchange unfolds, viewers are left grappling with uncomfortable truths about emotional responsibility and the enduring impact of familial dynamics.
Amidst the uproar caused by Julie's callous remarks, a voice of reason emerged. Brianna (@briknightt), a postpartum advocate and "doula in training", took to TikTok to dismantle Julie's harmful narrative.
With grace and clarity, she addressed the complexities of parent-child estrangement, drawing from her own experience with a narcissistic and abusive father. Brianna's video served as the perfect validation for those navigating similar struggles, reminding them that they are not alone in their journey to reclaim their emotional well-being.
Watch Brianna Knight's Video:
@briknighttt @Julie It’s giving “I guess I’m just the worst mother ever” instead of actually listening to your child 😵💫 #respectfulparenting #gentleparenting #cyclebreaker #cyclebreaking #millennialmom #equalparenting #childhoodtrauma #childhoodabuse #domesticabuseawareness #domesticviolenceawareness #dvsurvivor #traumatok #healingjourney #momswhoheal #millennialmom #greenscreenvideo ♬ original sound - briknighttt
Brianna's Message Reminds Those Struggling They Aren't "Crazy"
In her video response, Brianna delves into the complexities of parent-child relationships with wisdom and compassion. She highlights the emotional toll of estrangement and offers invaluable insights for those grappling with similar struggles.
"It takes a lot for a child to want to go no contact with the person that raised them. It takes a lot of trying. It takes a lot of years. It takes a lot of pain."
- Brianna Knight
Her words resonate deeply with viewers, providing solace and validation for those navigating the tumultuous terrain of familial estrangement. Brianna's message serves as a beacon of hope, reminding individuals that they are worthy of love and understanding, even in the face of familial discord.
A Lesson For Parents Unwilling To Embrace Healing and Growth
Screenshots from a woman's TikTok video.@briknightt / TikTok
As the dust settles on this digital battleground, it's imperative to reflect on the lessons learned. Julie's outburst may have sparked outrage, but it also sparked a much-needed conversation about the complexities of parent-child dynamics in the modern age.
In a world where emotional vulnerability is often perceived as weakness, Brianna's courage to speak her truth shines brightly. Her resilience and empathy serve as a testament to the power of authenticity and compassion in fostering meaningful connections.
As we navigate the intricate web of familial relationships, let us heed Brianna's wisdom and embrace the journey of healing and growth. For it is through introspection and empathy that we pave the path towards reconciliation and understanding — bridging the divide between generations and forging bonds rooted in love and acceptance.
Since going viral for all the wrong reasons, Julie has deleted her TikTok account (@goosegrease56).
Mind the Comparison Trap: Why Life's Race Is Only Against Yourself
Social media can be a wonderful tool for staying connected. It allows you to catch up with old friends and make new ones. However, it can also be a dismal place for your self-esteem. In this article, I share a time in my life when I was consumed with social media, and with the feelings of inadequacy that came from constantly comparing myself with the way others were portraying their lives. From the experience, I’ll share how I broke free of the comparison trap, and how you can, too.
Mind the Comparison Trap: Why Life's Race Is Only Against Yourself
I looked at my phone in disdain. What I had hoped for was a short recess from the grind to catch up on the news and the happenings from my circle of friends. It turned into a long and depressing chronicle of self-loathing and discouraging self-sabotage.
It wasn’t the bad news. On the contrary, it was the good news and, specifically, the abundance of it that had me in a tizzy.
On Facebook, it seemed as though everyone I knew was making excellent progress on his/her dream. The dizzying array of feel-good headlines threw me into an abyss of inadequacy: “I’m so thankful for everyone who believed in me because I just became the new blah blah blah”; “I’m happy to announce that we have launched blah blah blah”; and on it went.
I had to escape the bombardment. Unfortunately, Linkedin was my ill-advised choice for the escape route. For within that realm, I realized how many of my colleagues and friends who started at the same time as me have become managers. And while I’d already made the decision long ago to forgo the management path, the sight of everyone else making it there unnerved me.
I panicked.
I threw the phone and myself on the bed, covered my face with my hands and let go a long sigh. Every piece of someone else’s good news was a dagger to my self-esteem. Where have I been? Have I done nothing? Why is everyone else getting ahead and I’m lagging behind? The questions buzzed around me like a locust swarm.
I sank into the comforting embrace of the bed and fell asleep.
Giving ourselves credit and painting the path forward
After that episode, I gave social media a rest. Over the next few days I went back over my personal timeline and realized that while I was ogling over others’ achievements, I had foolishly devalued my own worth and successes, of which I had many.
I came to learn, first, how easy it was to fall into this self-deprecating trap -- to feel stuck in place, anxiously watching your peers wave good-bye as they speed ahead. Second, it became clear to me that I ought to give myself more credit for the incredible journey I’d already taken, and for the stones I've laid for the steps ahead. And lastly, I realized that the path each of us takes is unique to our situation, and that our worth shouldn’t be calculated based on skewed comparisons with others.
Behind the scenes of the airbrushed facade
Imagine two new drivers embarking on a journey. James is gifted a brand new Tesla Model S by his family; Jessica inherits a ten year-old Honda Civic. They take off from the same starting place, full of excitement and hope for the road ahead. Unfortunately, Jessica’s car breaks down 100 miles down the road. As she struggles to fix the flat tire, James passes her by. While they started together, their path diverge from that point on.
Feeling frustrated, Jessica trudges on with one bad tire, resenting her place in the world. But unbeknownst to her, James was pulled over for speeding in a residential zone. After the setback, he cautiously hobbles his way back onto the freeway just as Jessica makes the exit. Their paths cross for a moment and they share their successes so far -- neither mentioned the obstacles they had cleared.
This analogy provides a few important lessons:
Competition is ingrained in cultures all over the world, so it’s difficult to get away from comparing yourself to others. And while it can drive us to improve, it can also cripple our motivation and hope. Because we don’t know where our peers have been or where they might be going, the best bet is to focus on our own path -- do the work to understand our emotions and try to take a step forward every day, no matter how small that step might be.