My father, who convinced me (16 m) at the time to move in with him instead of my mother when they moved. All 3 of the other siblings stayed with my mother. He then kicked me out the week I turned 18, a week into my senior year. Since then he stays in touch only to speak with his grandchildren (now going on 4 kids). I have never been anything but opportunistic and positive in our interactions. Regardless he still acts like I am a burden to talk too. Am now 37, and finally getting to the point I should accept it. I’m the complete opposite with my own children and can’t comprehend how someone could treat their child like this. How do I cope? It eats at me. I will answer any questions in depth if it will help in understanding the situation.
I’m starting to second guess myself. I’m 25 and haven’t talked to my mom in about 7 years. I feel like I at least owe her to talk to her about why I felt the need to shut our relationship down. I am also afraid of regretting not talking to her before her eventual death. But I also don’t know how to approach her after all this time.
Does that feeling come up more when you’re sober and healthy, or when you’re high, sleep deprived, or under systemic inflammation?
If the feeling is coming up when you’re at your clearest, it’s probably worth following. If it’s coming up when you’re at your most muddled, that’s probably a sign it’s worth ignoring.
Thanks for your input. I’ll try to take note of that when it comes up again.
Probably TMI but I wasn’t close with my mom, like the poster above she kicked me out when I finished high school at 17, I do understand, my dad had died and she had a lot to deal with, more younger kids at home.
I did not feel regret for not being closer when she died. It’s fine, we had what we could and she was close to my youngest sister, and I’ve been quite lucky in Mother-in-laws, mom of my ex and mom of my husband I am closer with. My mom I just would text on her birthday and mother’s day.
Don’t give what you can’t. Focus on your life and stay polite with her, and distant is fine. It’s not wrong to take care of your own life and it won’t keep you from being close with other people.
The thing is I’m not just distant, I’m full on no contact with her. And sometimes I think that maybe my reaction is a bit too harsh. But I think you’re right, I need to get myself in good position/mental state before I should try to reestablish contact. I can’t handle her problems if I don’t have my own in check.
Thanks for sharing.
Does she have email that you know of? Perhaps a Facebook that you could create an account to contact her?
Because if you do then this seems easy to me. “Hello mom, I am ___________ and ___________ and this is why you don’t get any more from me.”