The Shrieking Cactus
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An indifferent mother will become an indifferent grandmother
What happens in childhood doesn't stay in childhood, and it's vital to understand the impact. Here's one book that helped me.
2 hrs ago
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'It Ends With Us:' Can we please ban this harmfully inaccurate movie?
Jan 14, 2025
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Important study on longevity basically ignored by the media
Aug 26, 2025
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Life with an emotionally immature mother
Jul 10, 2024
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The unspoken reason it's so hard to stay sober
Dec 11, 2024
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Recent posts
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When your mother breaks your heart on Valentine's Day
When your story is so sad there is no eager audience? Well, it is its own kind of trauma.
Feb 9
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Dialectical thinking (for times like these)
Accepting that two opposing thoughts can be true at the same time is a useful way to navigate today's polarized society.
Jan 29
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Protecting your heart from a difficult mother
When your mother makes excuses rather than taking accountability, where do you draw the line?
Jan 20
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I'm rebranding The Shrieking Cactus newsletter
It's now primarily for adult daughters (and sons!) of difficult mothers.
Jan 14
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Being 'in shape' doesn't exist. That's why the wellness industry loves it.
In shape or out of shape? Fit or unfit? These concepts are toxic no-win, false binaries.
Jan 6
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Canyon lands and hag holes
Looking back hundreds of millions of years to appreciate my brief blip of a life
Dec 16, 2025
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The Shrieking Cactus
A newsletter for adult daughters (and sons) of difficult mothers, by health journalist Joy Victory.
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