Moved here from the US 2 years ago with my British DH and my American teenage DC. It’s been a roller coaster but we’re happy to be here. Came here because I have better job opportunities in my field, I like my in-laws, and because Kiddo is biracial and non-binary, they feel much safer here. They’ve been dealing with OCD and they are on the spectrum. Plus we really dodged a bullet given who’s back in the White House!
My mum still lives in the US. More specifically, Alabama. We do not have a great relationship- she’s overly critical, was verbally abusive to me and my dad. Tries to bully everyone (even DH, who will have none it) to do what she wants, but also wants to maintain the facade that we’re a happy family.
She teases Kiddo about their weight (even after I ask her to stop several times). This results in Kiddo asking us if they’re fat several times a day, going on for several weeks afterwards.
She flew out here to spend 2 weeks with us for Christmas, and it was stressful to say the least - even though she did not stay at our house, she still managed to pick a fight with each of us!
Now she wants Kiddo and I to visit her this summer. I really don’t want to but I feel like I should as her only daughter. Kiddo really doesn’t want to go because they’re afraid to go to the South, and we’re hearing that some Americans are being refused leaving the US for being trans, nonbinary, etc. I don’t blame Kiddo.
I was really stressed and overwhelmed dealing with living here but things have settled quite a bit. But since I’m the breadwinner in my immediate family, I’m super protective of my peace and try to take extra care of myself. Being around her has rarely if ever comfortable - I’m just either stressed or unhappy the entire time. No one else in my extended family wants to deal with her - she burns bridges wherever she goes, even at age 79!
I don’t want to go but I feel I have to.