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I've been NC with my parents for three years. I have not seen, contacted, or replied to any letters.
I have two young children (2 and 4), whom at every holiday or birthday they keep sending gifts through various flying monkeys (I.e. great grand parents, sister, or mail). Not A gift. Many gifts. Overwhelming gifts that are so irrelevant because they don't know my kids.

My husband and I agreed since my parents are not in my life that we would donate these gifts. I work at a school with many children in need, so these "gifts" go toward my students. The trouble is, after three years of NC the gifts keep getting more over the top and bigger in quantity. They often come over in bags and I've referred to them as "bags of guilt" 

These gifts tend to be very triggering to my anxiety/cptsd. I thought no response would make them stop, but no dice. It keeps getting worse. I'd rather not reply and break NC, but it's driving me nuts! Any way to deal? Any suggestions for perspective shifts so these gifts aren't so triggering?

My husband and I recently found out we were pregnant with kid #3. At first I was worried. I've been NC with my FOO for over a year. They have met the other two grandkids but probably won't meet this one, so I'm worried about the hoovering, possible letters or them stopping by (they live close by). I felt myself go into flashback mode, but I saw myself freeze. I called my therapist, have been doing my yoga/journaling/meditating. Calling my friends for support.  Ive realized this past year how much I have grown. I have all these coping mechanisms I never had before. I have friendships that are more like family and I can depend on. It's a wonderful supportive feeling. I feel I can carry a child again, whereas I couldn't even consider this previously.

I still worry a bit about what may happen, but I remind myself to stay in the moment. I always handle things differently in the moment than I can anticipate. I'm trying to get better at trusting myself. To know I will have my voice when I will need it. And for now I'm cautiously optimistic, and more peaceful than I thought I would be.

Hi,  I'm new to this site, but have been a member of OOTF for a while. Now that I recognize the abuse that happened as a child of parents with PD, I think I'm dealing with the effects of CPTSD. So I'm more OOTF, but now I'm dealing with the pain. Overall I think I've been doing pretty well. Going to therapy, practicing yoga and mindfulness, taking care of myself and my own family with two young kids. Some days are harder than others and I think I need some more support. Today's theme is sadness. Maybe it's the rain, maybe talking to my grandmother triggered me (oh the guilt trips of not seeing her often enough, and not "letting bygones be bygones" with her daughter, who let my father abuse us and did not make him responsible), or going to a movie. Is anyone else affected by going to the movies? Sometimes I feel so raw. Like old wounds were uncovered and I feel achy, with a heavy weight on the chest and have a hard time expressing this. Thanks for listening. Wish you all the best in your recovery.