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Your Toxic Family Might Be the Reason You’re Still Single

The solution is simple, but not necessarily easy.

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If you have a toxic family, bringing your partner around can feel like you’re either throwing them to the wolves or sabotaging a healthy connection. Either way, it’s not enjoyable for each party. Thankfully, there are ways to navigate an unhealthy family dynamic without letting it ruin your relationship.

How Do Toxic Family Members Impact Your Dating Life?

Whether we want them to or not, toxic family members have a way of impacting the most intimate relationships in our lives—especially in dating. Often, this makes individuals want to hide their partner from their family or even skip out on holidays and celebrations. 

“Toxic family members can greatly impact holidays and impactful and meaningful events for you personally and for your relationship,” Dr. Brittany Woolford, Licensed Psychologist and Co-founder of Authentic Connections Therapy and Wellness, told VICE. “This can be especially hurtful or frustrating where events that are meant to be joyous and connecting can feel stressful and trigger-laden for your relationship.”

For example, if you have overly critical parents or openly judgmental siblings, you might find yourself on the........

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