My mum has let me down. Again. (sorry, long)

[Apparentlychilled]

My mum and I have a weird relationship: it's all great if I dance to her tune, as I did throughout my childhood/adolescence (inc supporting her through a really destructive awful divorce from DF). As I grew up and met DP (now DH), I realised that I wanted my own life, and I pulled away, and moved away.

All was good. I moved country but visited her maybe twice a year and spoke v briefly maybe every 7-10 days. I expected little or nothing from her, and that's exactly what I got.

She's never been supportive of me (or my siblings, to be fair), and is selfish, self absorbed and only interested in herself and her life eg my wedding was actually HER day. Really?!- I thought it was about me and DH getting married (and our families being involved, of course. But not just about her!). For a long time I put her attitude down to the hard time she had with my dad (the subject of a whole other thread). But that's now over 20 years ago, and rather than continuing to rant about him, maybe she should just have some counselling? Radical idea. Hmm.

Anyhow, I was trying to change our relationship- put in place boundaries, but also make space for her to have a relationship with me and my DC. I had DD in 2008 and had PND which I didn't' feel I could tell DM about - she's a gossip, and judgmental and I couldn't cope with her. I had DS last year and had PND again. This time I told her, only to be told bf 'causes' PND (no, she has no medical background) and that she had PND with each of her DC. Riiiiight- first time I've heard of that in over 35 years.... And after about 3 weeks, she said I seemed much better, so she felt she didn't need to ask how I was anymore (even though I told her that when we speak on phone when my DC are with me, of course I have a bright manner- I don't want to upset them!).

We went to my home town in July for her 65th, and I specifically arranged 2 things for us to do with her, as she's often saying how much she misses me and DC. She bailed on the first (a trip to the park), as her hair might get messed up in the wind, and the 2nd (tea at hers), she read the paper and watched the TV rather than interact with DC (or me).

About a month ago, I had surgery for an ectopic pregnancy. She wanted to come over the day I got out of hospital, but I said I just wanted to be home with DH and DC. A week later, after DH had gone back to work (he works away) I rang her in tears, saying that I was finding things hard, and asked her to come over. She said she'd check dates and would speak to me a couple of days later. Nothing. So about a week later, I asked again, and gave particular dates that worked for me.

After about a week of faffing around, she said she might not be able to come over. I clearly, calmly (but nicely) told her that I got that she had a lot on her plate (she doesn't really, but I was being nice), but that I was really struggling post ec preg, and that I could really do with a hand, even for a day or two.

She called yesterday saying that she's not coming. Because she wants to go to a golf lunch w DstepF. I knew this was going to happen. And to be honest, I'm not surprised, but I'm amazed by how hurt I am.

I just need to get over my expectations of being mothered by my mum, don't I?

If you've got this far, thanks for bearing with me- I didn't mean to go on so much!

I'm trying not to be spitting with fury. Having had a long conversation with DSis last night about DM and how upset I am with DM, I've had an email from DSis today, asking if I want to chip in for a joint Christmas present for Mum which will cost more than I plan to spend on my husband! In light of this week's developments, I'm not minded to get her anything, let alone an expensive, joint gift with my siblings! Aaaaaagghhhhhhh for crazy families of origin!

That's a bit strange. Was your DSis understanding on the phone or did it all wash over her a bit? Is she still in the grip of trying to please your mother, do you think?

Saying that, people have wildly different ideas about presents. I know people who spend loads and people who spend not much at all, and it doesn't always bear that much relation to how much money they've got or how much they like the recipients!

I totally understand why you don't want to chip in, I wouldn't either. But of course I guess you should be prepared for a big "You didn't get me, your own mother, a present!" drama. It may be that you end up in a position where a big fight occurs and you have to cut her off, even if your original intention was just to emotionally withdraw IYSWIM.

My sister is deeply enmeshed with my mum, and firmly believes that the more you love someone, the more you spend on them eg she's "broke" but spent over £350 on her son's high chair (WFT?! It's her money, but don't then moan to me about cash!). And she tries desperately hard to please DM. In my family of origin, the cost of the gift was paramount (not the thought, the suitability or anything else). Since meeting DH, I have realised that it really is the thought that counts. I think the level of my pain kind of washed over her, as she can't really see the craziness of our family, and she tries desperately with everyone, despite being repeatedly let down.

I'm minded to get something (I figure my rage will have eased by 25th Dec!) like a bottle of perfume or some hand cream. But not some lovey-dovey "we all love you so much Mum" expensive present. I figure that in life the answer usually lies in the middle ground ie normal christmas present, superficial contact and relationship.

Sigh.

I'm estranged from my mum for similar reasons, big one being when I was air-evacuated from the island we lived on due to severe illness at36wk pg, and she was visiting, she and her husband cut short their visit rather than help dh with our other 2 dc because "weegie isn't here any more". He was a single handd GP left in the lurch by his in laws with 2 dc, pg wife 200 miles away and they just went home (not to see me in the hospital I was in 40 miles up the road from them).

Friends, amazing colleagues, my df and DSM, siblings, mil and BIL (who was only in the country cos dgm had just died) all rallied round. Mother and her husband hes NOT my stepfather just went home.

Should have seen it when she abandoned the family for him when I was 12 - sadly it took me a year after this to finally do it! And she still thinks it was her idea!

Oh dear.

In that case, if you don't want to give her a straight "No fucking way" you could diplomatically have already bought your mum's present. Yes, you are very organised this year.

Oh Mulled- you are wise! I'm sitting here trying to avoid sending a furious email which will only open the doors to WW3 (sorry for mixed metaphors!). Smart idea.

Weegie- that's awful! Poor you and your poor DH. God bless the rest of your family!

Would not send any e-mail as it will be seized on.

Your sister may well not likely ever get or even want to properly ever acknolwdge her dysfunctional birth family dynamic. Denial is also a powerful force.

You are really under no obligation to buy your mother a gift (there's FOG aka fear, obligation, guilt). Not at all surprised to read that in your particular family, the cost of the gift is far higher valued than anything else. You are right in thinking that your sister is deeply enmeshed with your mother and will do anything to gain approval, approval which is actually never given.

Thanks apparently

I'm free of the FOG
My db is getting there

My sister embraces it, thrives on it. Funny, I don't speak to her now, either!

I think the key to pulling back from them all to the point where that kind of email won't bother you is to become the Mistress of the Breezy Fob Off

Attila- yes, it will be seized upon, and it won't achieve anything. If there was any chance it might prompt a global change, I might be happy to weather the storm.

I feel quite lonely amongst my siblings- I have 2 DSis and 2 DBro (though one has SN). My DSis who I mentioned above is probably the sister I like the most, though she's a bit bonkers and doesn't want to address the craziness too much. My other DSis is (as far as I'm concerned) self obsessed, self centered and a PITA (no, nothing like my mother. Really). To be fair my other DBro has been great since the ec preg, as has his wife, and he seems to be have boundaries, compassion, and have been great. Basically, he seems to be a good egg (it's not that we've not spoken over the years, but we've probably not sought each other out. Easy to do in big families w lots of siblings, in-laws, parents and step parents).

I think FOG was a huge part of my life, but I think I've set a lot of that aside. I do find fear crops up a lot in my own life (less so around my family of origin. What really can they do that's worse?!) and obligation and guilt have firmly been kicked to one side. Anger/fury and sadness seem to be my two oscillating reactions to my family of origin, and in particular my mum.

I would love to be close to my siblings, but I'm not prepared for the craziness which I have to participate in to get that. (Actually my DB might be OK. Am going to take it slowly slowly and see if it can be a healthy, adult relationship.) But that makes me sad.

I love it!- I'm aspiring to be Mistress of the Breezy Fob Off!

I think if I hadn't just had this massive brush off from DM, this wouldn't sting quite so much- I'm generally good at vague, non-committal ideas till they all leave me alone. Something to get back to- not giving a shit about DM!

Ooooh!

One day I will be Mistress Of The Breeezy Fob Off!

My only regret is my utterly amazing dad.
He looked after us all after mother left.
Me, db and sis.

He hates that sis and I don't talk. I would if she would, but apparently I have to "apologise" to mother first.

Aye, right!!

But poor Dad, he just wants his children to be friends! But I can't, cos that would take me back into my mothers fog. I'm not going there (too many nasty memories!!)

weegie- well done on looking after yourself, even when that means your dad being disappointed that you and your Dsis don't talk.

And here's to a gaggle of Mistresses of the Breezy Fob Off!