My mum constantly makes me the centre of her jokes, and it’s really starting to affect me.
For a bit of context, I’m currently on holiday with my new boyfriend, my 5-year-old son, my boyfriend’s mum, my mum, and my mum’s younger boyfriend. My boyfriend, my son, and I had already been in the Caribbean for a few weeks before my mum arrived. During that time, I was enjoying my holiday, eating well, relaxing, and I gained around 8 lbs.
Ever since she arrived, my weight has become the topic of conversation. She’s constantly comparing our bodies and asking people who’s slimmer, me or her. She repeatedly calls me “fatty,” even though I’m not overweight—I simply gained a little holiday weight, which I know I can lose.
She doesn’t stop there. She’s always making comments about my weight to her boyfriend, turning me into the centre of attention and making jokes at my expense.
The worst moment was when she met my boyfriend’s mum for the first time. Instead of having a normal conversation, she asked her who was bigger, me or her. She even tried lifting up my dress so my boyfriend’s mum could get a better look at my body shape. I could tell my boyfriend’s mum felt uncomfortable, and I ended up apologising because I was so embarrassed.
Eventually, after we’d all had a few drinks, I asked my mum what her issue was with constantly making jokes about my weight. I told her that yes, I’d gained a little weight because I was on holiday, but weight comes and goes. We were supposed to be enjoying ourselves, not focusing on appearances. I also told her it was starting to seem like her behaviour was coming from her own insecurities rather than anything to do with me.
Even her own boyfriend said she was taking it too far. My boyfriend’s mum also stepped in and said that we’re all beautiful and questioned why my mum kept asking people to compare our bodies.
At that point, it became clear that I wasn’t the only one who thought her behaviour was inappropriate.