My mum lives a flight away. She video-calls every day. She's hard of hearing so conversations can be very hard.
Anyway, she's just called. Asked about my dc. I've told her dc is upstairs as not happy with his breakfast. I said it v matter-of-factly. Next thing I know she's judging my dc, saying dc is v fussy and he's growing up to be a grump. And why I haven't given him these other things (a long list of alternatives) for breakfast.
Then she asks about my online shop and whether I am getting orders. I say I have one at the moment. She says you're not going to get orders anymore because of rise of cost of living, etc., why would people spend their money on my handmade products when they can buy much cheaper factory made alternatives, etc. When I had a lot of orders she'd say things like why do you do this to yourself, your messing up your eyes, stop wasting time on that already.
My sisters (older than me) are v similar to mum.
My dc can be v challenging and they don't know the half of it.
My shop is really suffering at the moment and I have sleepless nights thinking how to adapt/ move forward or give up altogether.
I cannot share my problems with my family because there's zero empathy and validating. Just criticism whatever I say and do. Always making me feel like I'm doing it all wrong.
Just felt ranting a bit. Hope that's ok on here.