My narcissistic, selfish, and abusive parents abused things like "because I said so," "you'll understand when you're older," and "you'll understand when you have kids" among other things.

I now understand. They were shitheads that never wanted to actually explain things or be held accountable for their fucking abuse. I understand that it literally took EFFORT for them to be so goddamn angry and verbally/physically abusive to us, and it takes a serious level of hate to sprinkle in the emotional neglect and somehow be okay with treating your child like that.

I can't fathom doing half the shit they did.