“My mother and I–along with she and my sister–have been fighting. She is erratic and moody. Today things took a very bad turn. I had planned to visit my parents today (they live about 8 miles away), but my mother called while I was preparing to leave and said my father was sick with a severe cold. I said I wouldn’t be coming then, since my kids had just gotten over being sick and I did not want them exposed again. She then said she missed the kids and still wanted to see them. I responded that she’d seen them just three days before and could see them again when dad was better. My mother then said if I didn’t care and wouldn’t come that day then I should never come back again. She hung up on me. I called back ten minutes later, after I’d calmed down, but she didn’t pick up the phone. I left a message that said if she couldn’t quit being stubborn and listen to my concerns, then I would listen to her and stay away from her home. When I arrived home, she’d called 20 times, almost minute by minute, and didn’t leave any message. On the very last hang-up she said I needed to change my message to “Have a have a nice f****** day.” I didn’t respond to her calls. This isn’t the first time she has done things like this and I’ve just let them go because of her moodiness. I do not like the conflict and would like a solution to our problems, but she will not be civil. My father has called me in the past, asking that I apologize to help her calm down. My father and I have had to call 911 before when she threatened suicide. She went then into a secure facility for help, but only stayed for a night and before coming home. I’m scared for her and for my kids when they are with her. I do not leave them alone with her anymore. I honestly do not know what to do anymore. This is hurting myself, my kids, my husband and my dad, as well as, my sister and her children. There is so much conflict that it’s tearing everyone apart and I’m not sure what to do. I’m not looking to be right or vindicated. I want help to try and resolve this situation for the health of my whole family. I don’t know where to start….”–Upset Daughter
ADULT DAUGHTER & MOTHER FIGHT
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Dear Daughter,
This is a mess and it sucks, I know. You’ve dealt with your mom’s highly-emotional behavior in the past and I’m guessing you, your sister and your father have done quite a bit of egg-shell-walking to keep from upsetting mom. I wish I had a magic word that could drain all the conflict from relationships, but I don’t.
This isn’t going to come as a surprise to you—you can’t change your mother. You just don’t have the power. She’s in charge of herself and her behavior, not you. You have to take care of yourself (and your kids and husband) and give mom the consequences of her behavior. You have to leave your dad to fend for himself. He’s made choices in his relationship with her for years. His life; his choices.
The business with you and your mom is not so not simple.
First, separate out in your mind, your mom’s erratic behavior (throwing a fit because you wouldn’t bring the kids that day, blowing up your phone machine like an insane headcase, et cetera) from what you contributed to this fight. I’m guessing you were still really mad when you left that message that “if she wouldn’t quit being stubborn and listen to [your] concerns, then [you] would stay away from her home”.
Come on, who wouldn’t be?
Given a rewind button, you might not have said that, but your mom’s tantrums aren’t new to you. She’s obviously run amok before and you’ve, just as obviously, swallowed a lot, what with not liking conflict and your dad urging you to adopt his placating position. Frankly, most people don’t like conflict between themselves and those they care about.
Your making-nice with your mother hasn’t changed things. Not really.
Maybe it’s time you accepted that her behavior is in her control. You can’t change her. You do, however, get to decide that to which you expose your kids, your husband and your self. You probably need to limit your interaction with your mom. Really limit it. Don’t tell her what to do, just don’t be available for tantrums or abuse. No apologies, no colluding with dad to “keep her happy.”
Think of it this way–your mom’s behavior has worked in the past. She’s got her husband and kids jumping through hoops when she’s upset. This isn’t good for anyone. It’s not made your mom particularly happy, either, even if she calms down at the moment.
You’ve told your kids that certain behaviors are acceptable and others aren’t. Isn’t it time you did the same with your mom?
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One of the hardest situations in life confronts us when the people we love make bad choices. Whether this is a spouse who’s over-drinking or adult children who don’t pay their bills, we sometimes have to face the reality that we can’t change others.
Don’t think you just need to say the right thing. People respond less to verbal interaction than to changes in your behavior. If you keep yammering about what you don’t like, but continue destructive relationships, the message is only that you’re a bitch. Others know when you don’t want to change things and you’ll tolerate crap.
Even when sweet words are spoken, the actions that accompany this speak most loudly.
The hard part is to change you–your part. Look hard and long at what you’re contributing to unhappy relationship situations. You can change your behavior very directly. Changing others isn’t as easy.