Relationship baggage can be as tangible as an ex’s key to the house. Dr Laurie Betito uses that example to make boundaries concrete, with a way to talk about safety while acknowledging shared children and continuing obligations.
Thirteen Years Later, the Words Are Still There
An old partner’s words can also remain long after the relationship ends. A remark about finishing a backyard shed resurfaces thirteen years after divorce. What happens when someone else’s criticism starts sounding like a personal rule?
An Ordinary Evening, an Unnecessary Lie
A new relationship brings another chance to notice those inherited habits. Ryan’s text about an ordinary evening exposes a lie he couldn’t explain, while nostalgia can make an old relationship look selectively appealing. Laurie identifies what needs attention and where support from a partner differs from responsibility for healing.
Topics: relationship baggage, inherited criticism, learned habits, co-parenting, personal boundaries
GUEST: Dr Laurie Betito | DrLaurie.com
Originally aired on2026-10-29
