Negative parents

[Unrequitedlove]

My parents divorced when I was a teenager but both still live locally so I do see them regularly. They are both quite negative people and I have to guard against them pulling me down.
I have a problem that I'm never 'heard' by either of them and don't feel any love from them. I'm older now but they're still my parents and see my ds. Don't want the same affect on him!
So, when I say anything positive about my life, it is dismissed, met with a blank face.
If I find a solution to a problem I'm then pulled down by them find another problem.
Even though they aren't together on this they are very similar!
It's really annoying! How would you deal with this? I do limit contact because if I try to make my feelings known it is met with defensiveness and criticism., I'm not sure what the problem is? I don't think I'm doing anything wrong, is it just different personalities? Jealously? I really don't know!

Very likely they're self absorbed and just want to either talk about themselves and their problems or they're programmed to only hear doom and gloom. Maybe a bit of both?
I sympathise as I too have a bunch of relatives like this. They would stick pins in their eyes before offering congratulations or even a thank you for anything.
I was once told that they thought I'd become 'Uppity' and a 'Snob', if they went 'Over The Top'. Just a 'Well done pallas', would've been nice but there you go!
Don't stress about it. You can't change them. You can however change the way you react to them. A bit of distance, a sense of humour and a couldn't give a damn attitude works for me.

Pallas- thanks v much! Seems you get it too!
Yes, a simple smile, well done or a bit of interest wouldn't go a miss! Ok, so it's a case of it's them not me!
It's very wearing and I come away deflated. It really has impacted my self esteem. Nothing is good enough or simple, it's just one problem after another! Exhausting..
The don't give a damn attitude good but I'm a single parent so could really do with more support.

Ah, but they win every time you appear deflated which is why they continue. Fake it until you make it with the not give a damn attitude is the way to go.
It does work.