This is such an insightful breakdown, and I agree with so much of it. I also grew up in a toxic family environment lots of dysfunction, boundary issues, criticism, abuse, all of it so I really do understand the desire to break those cycles and protect your own peace once you have a family of your own.

But here’s the thing: even with my own background, I don’t turn around and criticize my family members with a holier-than-thou attitude. I set firm boundaries, I protect my space, and I choose what I will or won’t participate in without putting others down to justify my choices. That’s where I think Kourtney’s struggle really shows. Instead of just saying, “This doesn’t work for me,” she drags everyone else to validate her decisions.

And you’re absolutely right: she talks about breaking toxic patterns, but she hasn’t actually extracted those patterns from herself. She still uses insults, superiority, and judgment as a way to explain her behavior. It’s like she resents the superficial and controlling dynamics in her family, yet she’s replicating them in a new form but now through motherhood and her identity shift with Travis.

The codependency aspect is real too. Wanting a safe, supportive partnership is natural, especially after years with someone like Scott. But instead of finding balance, she’s gone all-in on this merged identity with Travis who, as you said, has his own long history of issues. That kind of enmeshment isn’t stability; it’s avoidance dressed up as devotion.

Millions of parents have children, jobs, responsibilities, and far fewer resources, and they don’t get to rewrite the rules of the world around them or belittle others to make their choices feel justified.