Ep. 114 When Your Parent Targets Your Sibling: How to Support Without Getting Destroyed
Published: January 07 2026
Breaking the silence on family scapegoating, triangulation, and what to do when you witness a parent’s disproportionate anger toward your brother or sister
You’re watching it happen again. Your parent explodes over something minor. Your sibling’s face changes as they absorb another wave of criticism that doesn’t match the crime. And you’re standing there caught between two people you love, not knowing what to do that won’t make everything worse.
This is one of the most painful positions in family dynamics. You see the disproportionate anger. You know it’s affecting your sibling deeply. But speaking up feels risky, and staying silent feels like betrayal.
In this episode, we’re tackling what it means to be the witness when a parent consistently scapegoats one sibling. We’ll explore the hidden dynamics at play, why this pattern exists, and what it does to everyone involved, including you.
You’ll discover:
- Why scapegoating happens and what function it serves in dysfunctional families
- The real reason your sibling can’t see the pattern clearly (and why your perspective matters)
- What actually helps versus what makes things worse
- How to speak up without rescuing, mediating, or getting destroyed in the process
- The uncomfortable truth about what you can and cannot change
We’ll also address the fear that keeps most people silent: will challenging your parent destroy your relationship with them? The answer might surprise you, because what gets damaged when you stay silent is something even more important.
If you’re tired of feeling helpless while watching unfair treatment unfold, if you’re done being pulled into conflicts that aren’t yours, or if you want to support your sibling without losing yourself in the process, this episode will give you a framework for moving forward.
Because here’s the truth: you can’t fix this dynamic. But you can refuse to participate in the silence that allows it to continue. And sometimes, that’s the most powerful thing you can do.
About the Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Podcast
Podcast: Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Podcast
Mission: Validation. Rebuild. Revolutionize. Deconstructing Patriarchy.
Host: Lynn Nichols
Follow our work beyond the podcast: We publish essays and insights on Medium through our Moving Forward with Hope publication. Join us there to go deeper, connect with others, and support the movement.
Lynn is a heartfelt advocate for personal growth and empowerment, and writes with raw insight on navigating narcissistic abuse, toxic relationships, and sometimes the societal challenges tied to the patriarchy. With a deeply experiential approach, her stories shed light on the emotional complexities of breaking free from toxic patterns, connecting with lived experience that gender dynamics, self-worth, and healing, encouraging readers to rebuild from within and revolutionize their relationships.
Discover a safe haven and a wellspring of insight with the Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Podcast. In this candid, relevant, and eye-opening show, host Lynn, author and passionate recovery advocate, guides you through the landscape of toxic relationships and covert narcissistic abuse dynamics. With honesty, depth, and tough love, Lynn helps you recognize subtle manipulation tactics and offers practical strategies to heal, rebuild, and reclaim your power.
Episodes dive into the complexities of narcissistic family systems, exploring roles like scapegoat and golden child, and shedding light on the pain of enmeshment. We tackle topics like going no contact, setting boundaries, and uncovering covert dynamics that keep you from thriving. Our conversations go beyond personal trauma to examine how narcissism is woven into broader cultural systems, including patriarchy’s influence on gender roles and equality.
In-Depth Conversations: Learn about covert tactics like gaslighting, emotional manipulation, and financial control, and uncover strategies to reclaim your autonomy and cultivate independence.
Practical Guidance: From detailed strategies for going no contact to navigating emotional labor and overcoming self-doubt, our episodes offer tools you can apply right away.
Broader Perspectives: Understand how narcissistic abuse intersects with societal issues like gender inequality, workplace bias, and cultural conditioning.
Our work goes beyond personal relationships to show how narcissism is embedded in cultural systems and structures like patriarchy. By unpacking gender roles and systemic inequality, we aim to reveal how these dynamics shape our lives. Available on all major podcast networks. Subscribe today.
Our podcast exists to expose and challenge the systems that diminish, control, and silence. We focus on what has been overlooked, question what has been normalized, and create space for healing, clarity, and collective strength. Serving as a resource of hope, encouragement, and validation, us victims of narcissistic abuse can rebuild their lives and pursue dreams, visions, and intentional living.
This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. The content shared is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please seek help from a qualified professional or contact a local crisis hotline.
Podcast: Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Podcast – available on all major networks
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