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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Mothers not coming to my Wedding because she's won a comp..

200 replies

CheekyBambi · 13/07/2011 09:51

Hi I will try to keep this as straight forward as possible!
Me and DM always had up and down relationship.She walked out on me when I was young to have an affair.Made me homeless in my later teenage years.She's been very selfish.
Move forward some years I've had 2 small ds's and df and house etc.
We've built bridges and she's brilliant with my LO's(although we live 200 miles away from eachother).
When she sees them she's the perfect hands-on Nanny.Couldn't fault her in that aspect.
Anyway I'm getting married very soon.Very very small day.My mother and father can't stand to be in the same room and he said he'd rather not be involved in my wedding.Thinks marriages means nothing and he would rather die than give a speech etc!
Anyway because of complicated families and not to mention cost of Weddings we've decided to have just us and our DC.
My DM was upset and asked to be involved.I actually wanted my DM to be there as it felt it was important.I started planning hair and photographers etc.
I asked if she was certain she wanted her hair done by a stylist who will visit our hotel on the day and she said yes.She saw the hundreds of images of the hair designs that I sent her and she knew how much it cost.I've paid for it now.
I also showed her images of the photographers work.We were going to have 'mother daughter' pictures etc.
I also have a lovely War Veteran who after waiting quite a while got back to me and said he'd be delighted to be a witness and has kept this day in his diary for us.
The official documents have come through saying our time and date confirmation etc.
DM has since won a competition with a magazine.She had to nominate a special person.She chose her niece.(Not surprised as I bought her a pampering day for 2 and told her it was for us but she took said niece-couldn't really moan it was a gift for her after all)
The comp is same day as Wedding.She wanted me to change my day nearly a month later(she has a holiday booked after comp).
The comp involves her getting her hair and make up done going to an beauty awards show and being photographed for a double spread in a magazine.All expenses paid.
She rang my registry office and tried to find out what other days were free.She found out the next day was free(which she could make)but it costs 5 times the amount of our registry office.Not to mention changing the witnesses,photographers,hair stylists,df's day off etc.
Yesterday she said she knew nothing about hair stylists being paid for and pretending she knew nothing about photographers!(Selective memory)
My birthday is 2 days after my booked date and me and df thought it would be good in the future to have two good dates close together so we could go celebrate for two reasons(say long weekend etc).
He also said on principle why should we change our wedding day just because of my mother.
Me and DM had a horrible fall out y'day.She thinks I'm in the wrong and I could change my day whereas she can't change the date of her competition.
Both me and df understand she's caught between a rock and a hard place.
So sorry for the rambling!Just wanted to see what you would do??
Shall I change my day or have my DM not involved?
Thankyou so much for readingSmile

OP posts:
diddl · 16/07/2011 14:46

But no parents are invited-so it clearly isn´t about her.

No, you shouldn´t care about others.

And she maybe lets her act slip with others.

If you keep up contact & she talks over you-put the phone down/walk away.

Perhaps you can decide for example that you won´t contact her for two months, & then see how it goes, then leave it for 2/3 months again if it doesn´t go how you want.

It sounds as if your soon to be husband has her weighed up!

LynetteScavo · 16/07/2011 14:50

Bloody hell, she is not between a rock and a hard place.

She has her daughters wedding to attend, and should be politely declining the prize she has won. Yes, it's a very nice prize, but I'm sure your wedding will be very nice too! Wild horses wouldn't keep me away from my daughters wedding, however small it was, or however big a prize I had won. It's called priorities.

I feel like crying for you.

lachesis · 16/07/2011 15:32

She's not that great an actress, your OH has the measure of her. Narcs don't admit they're wrong, so if you show her this thread, all she'll do it turn it around and say you're exaggerating or make everything your fault.

Best to keep hitting the relationship boards here where people with narc parents can get support and suggestions.

Narcs feed on drama and like to be the centre of attention, so as pointed out, not giving it to them via walking away/putting the phone down is one strateghy.

LorneMower · 16/07/2011 15:49

lol at war veteran

wtf?..

honeyandsalt · 16/07/2011 16:16

You know, I've been thinking about it, and whilst I do not envy your 'orrible ma one wee bit, you know what? It's a get-out-of-jail free card! You get to live the fecking dream and have an elopement (i loved this one. On the day you get to wear whatever the hell you really want to. Blue. Bright red lipstick. Fecking white dungarees, if you want. And then you get to hang out.... with your husband! Instead of entertaining your guests all day. You get to focus on you and not your ass of a mother, and guess what? You brief your photographer properly and go out and get some cute shots of your new baby family. Have a picnic in the park if you want. It's so romantic and awesome and you bypass all the shit.... EnvySmile

LorneMower · 16/07/2011 17:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LynetteScavo · 16/07/2011 18:09

I think the war veteran does need explaining.

I now have lovely War Veteran envy.

FakePlasticTrees · 16/07/2011 18:23

Don't send her the link. It'll just turn into being how hard it is for her to have her DD slagging her off on the internet...

Quite frankly, anything you send now might guilt her into coming to your wedding, but do you really want her there if she's only there because she thinks she has to be, not because she's happy for you and wants to support you?

CheekyBambi · 17/07/2011 08:52

Thanks Lynette!Grin
It's actually a Chelsea Pensioner!Before my DM got involved(then un-involved)we thought we'd chance it and get 2 witnesses from the street!Then DH thought of writing to the Chelsea Pensioners.
A few days later a CP emailed back saying he's be delighted and asked if he could bring friend with him(another Chelsea Pensioner).
Was really happy that they agreed!Will put pics up it's in September.
Thankyou again for listening to me ramblingSmile

OP posts:
CheekyBambi · 17/07/2011 08:53

Fakeplastic-you're right.Would hate to guilt her into coming.She's sulk and blame me for not letting her go to her prize.

OP posts:
mummytime · 17/07/2011 09:00

Oh you will have lovely wedding photos. I think having a Chelsea Pensioner as a witness is the next "in" thing to do!

Have a lovely day!

CurrySpice · 17/07/2011 09:20

I'll be your witness if you're still looking Wink :o

diddl · 17/07/2011 10:52

Are the CPs both men?

If not, could the woman have your mum´s "pampering" session?

Or if both men could they have something done?

CheekyBambi · 17/07/2011 11:07

Thanks Curry!Come along if you want!It's thurs 8th SepSmile

Diddl-that's a great idea.Going to email the CP.ThankyouSmile

OP posts:
CheekyBambi · 17/07/2011 11:08

Oh and dh told me they're both men.Smile

OP posts:
LynetteScavo · 17/07/2011 12:20

LOL at the Chelsea pensioners being offered the pampering session. Grin

I think you might scare them off!

diddl · 17/07/2011 16:55

Well it´s worth an ask-they might appreciate just a basic trim if possible!

CheekyBambi · 18/07/2011 10:19

Honeyandsalt-Thankyou for that message.You're right-I would worried quite alot on the day 'is this good enough for her' etc.Now I don't need to.Me and OH were in about to book 2 nights in a lovely hotel last week for the wedding.The first night was going to be for me and her to have a girly night etc.I mentioned this lots to her.For all she knows I've already paid when now we're only going to book one night(would've been original plan had she not got involved in the 1st place!).
Now we can have the day we want very relaxed and I'm actually happy she's not going to be there!
Anyway everyones advice has been brilliant.She's ignoring me.I know she thinks I'm horrible.OH has told me to not write her a letter because she wants the drama and the attention.

OP posts:
CheekyBambi · 04/08/2011 15:06

I maybe shoud not have done this but I sent my mother this thread a couple of weeks ago.I didn't want to cause an argument but I wanted her to see that so many other mothers out there thought she was wrong.I wrote the truth imvho.I had nothing to hide.
She sent me a letter this morning
saying :dear cb,I'm writing to say to you how very sorry I am for causing you so much upset for your wedding day.
Of course I wanted to put it right,as soon as I realised I was wrong.
However I was very disappointed and sad that you wrote about me on that interenet site.Thought that was going abit far.
I do want to share in your special day.
Things can be put right.
But will leave that decision with you.
You are my daughter and I love you very much.
I truly hope we can put this behind us.
All my love DM.

I have never revealed identities on this site.I know she thinks I'm awful but I needed to have an 'outlet'.I could have told members of family etc but have not done that and will not.I didn't want to fight with her.Just wanted her to have been there on my day and it's come to this and could have been avoided.I think she doesn't 'get it'.

Anyway thankyou for reading thisSmile

OP posts:
PrincessJenga · 04/08/2011 15:12

From the sound of it I don't think she does think you're 'awful'. I think (hope?) she realises she's been an idiot and that she'd like to put things right. Whichever, I really hope you get the wedding day you want.

ShoutyHamster · 04/08/2011 15:25

Glad to hear that she's 'disappointed and sad'. I would think that that's exactly how a woman who walked out on her child and made her homeless should feel. Every day, pretty much :)

If it helped you to send the thread, good. I don't think there's any way you could call this woman anything other than massively selfish, and massively hurtful. I hope you don't contact her now - I would think, on balance, with the history, you are more likely to have a fulfilled, happy life if you just keep her out of it. That goes double on your wedding day. Forget her - this day is about you and the people you love and who love you. I really don't think she'll ever truly be in that category.

Move on from her, she won't ever really change. Most of all, what this situation has shown you is the person she really is. The person who thinks of herself first, second and last ... even if that means hurting and letting down her daughter. Just like she did when you were growing up. Move on, move on :)

HamstersDontSwim · 04/08/2011 15:31

So how is she going to 'put this right'?

I think it all rests on her actions now she knows shes been a selfish tw%t.

I think you did the righ thing by showing her what others thought of he actions, maybe she will grow the fuck up!

ThePosieParker · 04/08/2011 15:36

Unless the competition is to claim a free home or receive a large cheque, your mother is just showing you who she really is again.

Have a lovely wedding without her, this is your and your future DH's day....

ThePosieParker · 04/08/2011 15:39

ooops. As long as hse realises this is your day.

Seems to me OP you're still trying to be good enough for your M, but that's because she abandoned you when you were young and let you down. Perhaps she needs to start with healing those wounds first and you need some counselling to understand it was not your fault.

xxx

Nagoo · 04/08/2011 15:47

Leave the decision with you...

So if you tell her when and where, she can turn up then.

It sounds like you have come quite far in terms of assessing your relationship.

Would you like it if she came?

I think I would give her an invitation, just an invitation, no 'mother of the bride' treats. And then if she wants to come she can. If she doesn't you'll know exactly where you stand :)

Good luck OP :)