to find my mother really irritating

[carlajean]

We've got my parents to stay for the night in our new house and,as ever, my mum is wandering around, brushing the area in front of the house, watering the plants, telling us what we should be doing. Yesterday she started reading through our welcome cards ( I know not everybody agrees with me, but I think you just don't do it, and she knows that) and told us we were peculiar because we asked her not to.
She loves looking in cupboards and just can't sit still. So, having had the best intentions, I end up feeling really annoyed. Plus arguing with my dh, as he is irritated too.

If you don't want ppl to look at your welcome cards don't leave them out on display.
But I guess you can't help how you feel.

Annoyed at reading cards on display! Now I've heard everything! Lol

Let it go. I think back to the times when my Dad annoyed me when I was younger and then he died too young and I always think "Why did I get so bothered?" I'd never get bothered now if I still had him.

It used to bother me that my egg donor read my cards ( am NC) but that was because she would make nasty comments.

"That's a really rude card from Claire, why is she being so nasty to you?"
No mum, it's a joke.
"Well this card from Tracey must have cost about 25p, she obviously doesn't think much of you."

etc etc etc.

As she went towards the mantelpiece my stomach would start to churn, getting ready for the spite that would follow.

I vote for stay the hell out of my cupboards unless invited to rummage.

I've always thought cards on display downstairs fair game TBH. Everyone who visits us makes a beeline for them anyway! We put Valentines cards and anything too personal in the bedroom.

Yabu, it's who she is and it was good enough when she brought you up. If you have children then one day how would you feel if they were letting a bunch of strangers know how irritating you are. As you said in your op she has the best of intentions so just accept it because she's not doing it to irritate you.