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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

I have no feelings towards my family apart from my children. What is wrong with me?

105 replies

Frazzledfiona · 04/01/2022 14:55

Sorry if posting in wrong place. Ive been doing some thinking over the past few days and I've realised that I feel nothing for my parents /extended family . Why would that be? I find this quite strange and upsetting.
I have 2 kids and a husband who I love and adore tremendously. I am nearly 40 years old. I have a nice life generally. No worries or stresses at all.
Over Xmas I've been seeing lovely videos on social media of people celebrating with their family and I felt so detached from it.

I am an only child, my parents are mid 70s. I see them twice a week and we are very close. They are brilliant grandparents to my children. But I don't really feel anything for them? They have been good parents to me. But I don't feel like I have a connection with them? Why is this?
When I'm having a conversation with them I just want it to end and for me to leave. I have no interest in what they are saying. (this sounds awful I know). I feel like I don't want to tell them things.
I have one remaining living grandparent, she is 94. I haven't seen her for a while. Again I don't feel anything for her but I don't know why?
Please understand that I don't want to feel this way and I would never show my true feelings. I would do anything for them and I hope I am a good, loving daughter. But inside I feel nothing? A few of my friends have very sadly started to lose their parents and have obviously been devastated. I've sat and thought about this and again I don't really feel anything about them not being here at some point in the future.
Opposite to this I have extremely strong feelings of love for my husband and children. I can't even bare to think of anything happening to them. Its as if my mind can only love these 3 people and no one else. Can anyone relate?

OP posts:
WiserMe · 07/01/2022 23:14

My mum is Narcissistic,emotionally abusive ,self centred,negative,irritating...
I feel guilt because I rarely want to see her
I keep visits to a minimum now

WiserMe · 07/01/2022 23:43

I can't wait for her to leave when she visits grandchild
I feel guilty for the way I feel about her.
She talks over me,
I rush to get my sentences out or I sit in silence while she drones on
I feel anxious grumpy frustrated & snappy around her or when I'm due to see her.

Upsetdaughter379 · 10/01/2022 14:41

I really try to be a different parent to my children but I find it very hard t strike that balance. I have noticed that I love bomb them alot, probably too much. I think I do this because I've never felt it from my own parents. It then I worry will my kids think I'm a clingy mother and how will I cope when they get older and want to be independent of me Sad
I can also relate to a pp who says their love for their kids terrifies them sometimes because of the overwhelming fear they are going to lose them.

GreenClock · 10/01/2022 17:12

Yes to that “overwhelming fear” thing... I wish it could be controlled.

Firebe · 30/05/2022 19:54

MadMadMadamMim, gosh this could have been me. Only child, my dad seems to begrudge me growing up, having my own opinions etc. Had a nice relationship when young but when I became a teenager? He said I've always been like this, I asked what 'this' meant, he said 'you know'. Tried to hit me a few years ago, it's never really going to be anything, they're old and frail and I feel guilty. I'm there when they need me, which is a bit more now, they're in their 80's, I'm early 50's. Interesting what someone said about their daughter not wanting anything to do with them, because of her relationship with her iwn mother. Do you think that's right? My teenage daughter seems to get fed up of me quickly has no respect, gets infuriated if I ask questions. Is she like this because of my relationship with my parents ? I had to put boundaries in place with them or I think I would have gone mad, my parents make me feel like nothing. I would hate it if I'd passed that on.

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