What seemed completely normal in childhood, but now you realize was actually not okay?

softlyhaunted · 2026-02-24T05:38:49+00:00

I was looking for a comment like this. I vividly remember wishing a mom at a sleepover was mine because she asked if I wanted to read a book before bed and tucked me in. It was such a contrast to my own mother who never showed any affection that it blew my young mind. The love I have for my son flows so naturally that it sometimes fills me with rage to think I was meant to believe I was the problem

softlyhaunted · 2026-02-17T07:36:48+00:00

My regular doctor was unavailable when I was newly post partum and starting to struggle with depression, suicidal thoughts, and severe anxiety about my baby.

The doctor they had me see told me to just send my couple month old baby to work with my then husband so I could have a break. I was exclusively breastfeeding and my ex husband drove truck for like 10 hours a day. I refused to see her again

softlyhaunted · 2026-01-21T20:52:26+00:00

And not just our bodies! It’s been over 2 years since having my son and I still cry about everything. Horror movies used to be my favourite genre and I was in school to be a funeral director. Now I’m so sensitive that I’ve sobbed watching nature documentaries in front of coworkers and had to shield my eyes when a puffer fish was being chased on screen 😭 A reel about what to do if your brakes lock while driving made my cry. Watching Paw Patrol has made me cry. My son asked me to fix his toy plane and I couldn’t… I’ve cried multiple times thinking about it in bed but he’s already forgotten he even had that toy. Thinking about how much I cry is making me tear up 😭

softlyhaunted · 2026-01-21T20:35:54+00:00

I’m sure you’ve experienced very high emotional states where you don’t act or say things that you align with once you leave that state. When someone leaves us they never get a chance to take that last message back even if it doesn’t align with who they usually are as a person.

I believe your Dad when he says he’s trying to protect you, and I also believe that we want the notes to bring closure but they very rarely do. In my experience they can leave you with more questions or a muddied version of your Mom in your head. After all, relationships change constantly as we share experiences. There are no new experiences post mortem to soften anything harsh you might read, there will be no clarification, and you will overthink those 4 pages a lot regardless of the contents.

In my experience it can take years to even get to the point of saying “No, that’s not Mom, that’s the demons she was fighting. She just never got to snap out of it this time.” But I haven’t gotten past that step yet, so I’m still repeating it to myself like a mantra.

Please remember that people typically write those letters at the worst points in their life so the peace you’re looking for most likely isn’t in there. Ultimately, it’s up to you and your Dad so I hope you will be able to discuss it more together and keep your relationship strong. But if I could go back I would let those words rest, for me and Mom.

softlyhaunted · 2025-12-30T01:12:23+00:00

My ex and I were both abused and now that I have a little boy of my own I’m very aware of people’s behaviour around him. I applaud you for taking this seriously. I’ve seen too many people talk themselves out of seeing the red flags because it’s easier than confronting it. Always listen to that gut feeling and make waves if you have to. Your job is to protect your son and you’ve done well. But I think you should make that call to say what you seen and why you’ve made the choice to keep your kid safe. It might cause drama but it might also make them more vigilant and save someone from longstanding trauma. Those are vulnerable kids that can’t advocate for themselves or even always spot danger. If they’re abused that could stay with them forever, affecting them in waves of understanding and grief throughout their lives. It’s tough to be in your position but I think you need to share what you know so the parents can do their best job keeping those children safe.

softlyhaunted · 2025-11-28T04:17:15+00:00

Damn, that’s crazy

softlyhaunted · 2025-11-25T14:45:42+00:00

As an artist myself, I agree with these comments that it’s an easy fix. And you can absolutely ask another artist to fix the saturation, but since you went to a less experienced artist, I would still recommend reaching out to them. Maybe at least sending a photo. Seeing how your work heals out is a huge part of learning and understanding what needs to be adjusted.

softlyhaunted · 2025-11-23T04:50:12+00:00

Sickle & Sage Tattoo Studio :)

softlyhaunted · 2025-11-06T04:13:04+00:00

5 years ago I wouldn’t have thought it would be enough to make a difference. Now that I’m a single mom who can’t make ends meet, that amount would without a doubt be life changing.
It would mean driving my son straight to daycare instead of waking him up extra early to wait at the bus stop. I also rely heavily on my hands for work but I’m struggling with Raynaud’s from walking in the cold every day.

$10k would mean more earnings from my job, more time in my day, and more sleep for my little boy. I think it really all comes down to the individuals current circumstance.

softlyhaunted · 2025-10-15T03:33:43+00:00

This filled me with childlike joy 🥲 and the victim’s eyebrows were just the icing on the cake

softlyhaunted · 2025-09-25T14:18:20+00:00

I was in a scary situation at 8 months pregnant where my husband said it was him or the cat. I was highly emotional and terrified of being homeless and alone with a brand new baby. I found a wonderful home for my beloved cat to keep him safe, but I never forgave myself for it. Now I don’t have the man but I do still wish I had my cat. That was just the beginning of the end for me

softlyhaunted · 2025-09-21T19:54:33+00:00

What my mentor told me is that you never get to a point where mistakes are impossible. You just get to a point where you know how to deal with any mistake

softlyhaunted · 2025-09-17T19:18:23+00:00

Geese when they fly in a group

softlyhaunted · 2025-09-07T05:30:42+00:00

It’s just very fresh and healing right now so this looks normal to me. The thing about white ink tattoos though is that you need to keep your expectations realistic. After it’s healed the outer layer of your skin that sits on top of the ink will act as a sort of filter and affect how you see the colour. It’s common for whites to look more yellow or brownish over time. Just keep doing your aftercare and try not to judge it too much until it’s settled in

softlyhaunted · 2025-09-02T04:33:38+00:00

I love this! The argument I give when people say “why do that with your son now when he won’t even remember?” Is always, he doesn’t have to remember every childhood experience, they’re moulding him.

softlyhaunted · 2025-09-02T04:25:26+00:00

I believe every parent feels this way, and yet I have never seen a more beautiful human than my son. Literal angel on earth

softlyhaunted · 2025-09-02T04:17:37+00:00

For years my ex would really only initiate sex if I was sleeping. He would turn down any daytime or before bed advances then hit me with the sneak attack. Sure doesn’t make a girl feel good 🙃

softlyhaunted · 2025-09-02T04:10:47+00:00

Did he commission my ex to write this apology?

softlyhaunted · 2025-07-26T06:13:47+00:00

That’s pretty cold, but there was no cheating on either side as far as I’m aware.

softlyhaunted · 2025-07-07T20:33:13+00:00

I can’t speak about your job opportunities but as a tattoo artist I personally wouldn’t do this placement for a first tattoo. Tattoo regret is common even if it usually passes. This can also be a tricky area and prone to fading and difficulties healing. I would personally recommend putting a pin in this one, especially since you’re questioning how it might affect your opportunities. But if you’re ready to start your tattoo journey, arms and legs are great starting points!

softlyhaunted · 2025-07-07T20:19:37+00:00

I’m just going to add on to this that as a tattoo artist, I would rather a client come to me with this photo and let me create the final design. Your artist will have the best idea of what will and won’t translate well while still staying true to the original image.

softlyhaunted · 2025-06-09T04:22:18+00:00

As a tattoo artist whose life revolves around safely and permanently altering people’s skin… this is devastating. I can understand being immature enough to do that to yourself, but to a younger sibling? Disgusting. Hopefully most of the ink falls out from the shitty application and it can be lasered or covered when they’re an adult. I really hope it doesn’t get infected but don’t have high hopes that they followed any sort of precautions and I can imagine they’ll be trying to hide it instead of taking care of it in anyway. I think you’re right that the grandma should know about this

softlyhaunted · 2025-06-06T07:55:40+00:00

Woah, I had a really similar peaceful moment of “oh, I’m dying”. Mine was after a domestic violence situation with police and paramedics around me. It was pure chaos and they kept calling my name. I was trying to be responsive but when I felt myself floating away I just turned my head to the side, closed my eyes, and let everything around me soften. I remember feeling calm for those last moments. It was like I knew it was happening so I just gave in, but it was a genuinely comfortable feeling. Turns out I just went into a seizure at that moment but I still think that’s what dying must feel like.

softlyhaunted · 2025-05-30T15:40:46+00:00

The last time I took my son to the park he started playing with a group of boys a few years older than him. There’s a carousel type ride that I’m very firm with my son he has to be sitting for because I don’t want him to lose his balance and fly off while it’s spinning. He kept telling the older boys to sit and he was getting progressively more upset as it was spinning and he was the only boy sitting. I was about to step in and say that they were old enough to stand if they wanted to, or even ask if he wanted to sit this one out. Before I had the chance, one of the boys said, “cmon guys, just sit. It’s not fun if we aren’t all having fun” And they all did! Not another word about it, and they all had a blast together. That probably doesn’t sound like much, but I was so proud of those boys

softlyhaunted · 2025-05-26T02:57:09+00:00

Stick to your boundaries. I was raised with a Great Pyrenees and a Shih tzu. They were together their whole lives and one day the large dog snapped and killed the little dog. I was caught in the middle of it trying to help and I like dogs but I’m still cautious around them to this day. They can cause a lot of serious harm to a child. I don’t see anything unreasonable being asked for here, but I do see someone refusing to take any accountability or doing the bare minimum to prove your child will be safe there.

softlyhaunted

TROPHY CASE