6 Signs your parents are emotionally abusive. Woman in yellow shirt tells story about emotionally abusive parents. 1. If you are not exactly who they expect you to be they will be disappointed. 2 worried about doing the wrong thing or saying the wrong thing. 3 not doing what you are told no basic needs. 4 invalidate emotions. 5 use religious belief as a weapon to shame you. 6 not the ideal weight then they subtly insult you.