Author Topic: 3 Weeks and Counting  (Read 7256 times)

tayana

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3 Weeks and Counting
« on: November 01, 2007, 09:20:37 AM »
Today is the three week mark of no contact with my mother.  I told my T that I was happier than I'd ever been since I don't have to talk to her.  I don't know that that's entirely true, but I"m definitely more relaxed than ever.  If I could just control the fears that she's going to call, send a letter, or show up unannounced, I'd probably be in better shape.  The medicine my doctor gave me helps with the anxiety some, but it makes me really tired too.

I have this horrible fear that my mom will try to pick M up without my knowledge, even though I'm sure the daycare or the school won't allow that.  I still worry.
http://tayana.blogspot.com

You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you
really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot
do.
-Elanor Roosevelt

Ami

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Re: 3 Weeks and Counting
« Reply #1 on: November 01, 2007, 09:32:23 AM »
Dear  Tayana,
 It IS really, really hard. There is no way to extricate yourself( emotionally or physically) from your type of M and NOT have it be painstaking. I am so sorry. You are such a talented and insightful person. ANY "normal" M would be happy to have you. None of this is your fault.
  You were just "drowning"in the "rapids'(N mother) and you are trying to "live", THAT is your "crime".    Love to You   Ami


(((((((((((((((((((Tayana )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.        Eleanor Roosevelt

Most of our problems come from losing contact with our instincts,with the age old wisdom stored within us.
   Carl Jung

tayana

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Re: 3 Weeks and Counting
« Reply #2 on: November 01, 2007, 09:38:27 AM »
Ami, thank you.  IT is very hard.  I told my friend the other day, that I'm just going to have to make a new family and she could be part of it.

I'm sort of hoping NC carries on through the holidays.  I might enjoy them for a change.  I'm supposed to go to my brother's for Thanksgiving, and I"m hoping that my parents won't be there.
http://tayana.blogspot.com

You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you
really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot
do.
-Elanor Roosevelt

betr4

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Re: 3 Weeks and Counting
« Reply #3 on: November 01, 2007, 10:46:30 AM »
Tayana,
I don't know your whole story, but your sharing here is very familiar to me.
I suffered many years trying to do the right thing with my mother.  I know now that I never knew her motives since I could not think like her.

I grew to feel like I hated her.  She was out to destroy me in her jealousy.  I always knew it but kept denying my self to fit in with the "family." 

Now, in her 80's I can see the progression of the past behaviors and where our relationship was headed.  I had tried for years to have boundaries with her.  And I did.  Then  whent my 2 girls grew upShe went for my children and sucked them in.  They are grown women now and they are still under her spell.


tayana

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Re: 3 Weeks and Counting
« Reply #4 on: November 01, 2007, 11:25:54 AM »
BR,

I've told my T many times that I feel very guilty because I don't really love my mother.  I want to love her, but what I feel for her isn't really hate, it's more like pure apathy.  I feel guilty because I often wish she would get on with the business of dying, since she wants to so much.  I don't want to end up being stuck taking care of her.  I once came up with this idea for a book called, "My mother's dead and now I'm free." 

I was raised with the belief that family is all you've got.  My mother would always tell me I couldn't have lifelong friends because situations change and then you lose contact and you just grow apart.  While that did happen with some people, there are others that I've had a realtionship with for years.  Moving out of my parents' home and into my own place has been seen as a betrayal of family.  I dared to give a name to my situation, calling it abuse.  I dared to tell my mother she had hurt me, of course, she twisted it around so that she was the victim.  In the four months since I've moved, she's told me that I'm just ripping our family apart, accused me of keeping her away from my son, and all manner of other things.  That sense of hatred and dislike has only grown over the past few months.  At least with NC, I feel like I can be myself.

My story is over on the stories thread if you want to read it.  I've been going to update it, but I haven't yet.
http://tayana.blogspot.com

You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you
really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot
do.
-Elanor Roosevelt

Leah

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Re: 3 Weeks and Counting
« Reply #5 on: November 01, 2007, 11:40:12 AM »

Dear (((( Tayana ))))

Know only too well the difficulties.

Keep staying strong.

Thinking of you.

Love, Leah
Jun 2006 voiceless seeking

April 2008 - "The Gaslight Effect" How to Spot & Survive by Dr. Robin Stern - freedom of understanding!

The Truth About Abuse VIDEO

tayana

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Re: 3 Weeks and Counting
« Reply #6 on: November 01, 2007, 11:59:55 AM »
Thanks for the support Leah.  (((((hugs to you too)))))
http://tayana.blogspot.com

You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you
really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot
do.
-Elanor Roosevelt

Poppy Seed

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Re: 3 Weeks and Counting
« Reply #7 on: November 01, 2007, 12:02:47 PM »
I am cheering for you. tayana.  Sounds like the holiday will be fun with your brother.  I am glad you have him in your support circle.  I hope you parents aren't there either. But even if they are there, you can handle it.  You are WOMAN!  Nothing can touch you!!! (caveman ugh!)  ::wink::

Love, poppy


tayana

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Re: 3 Weeks and Counting
« Reply #8 on: November 01, 2007, 12:22:13 PM »
Pops, see I'm not sure I can handle seeing my parents.  The thought terrifies me.  Isn't that awful to be so terrified of your parents that the thought of seeing them starts a panic attack.

I am looking forward to spending the holiday with my brother though.
http://tayana.blogspot.com

You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you
really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot
do.
-Elanor Roosevelt

Poppy Seed

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Re: 3 Weeks and Counting
« Reply #9 on: November 01, 2007, 12:33:19 PM »
It is ok! I get so afraid of my N relatives.  I think that we have real reasons to be afraid.  Until our boundaries are stronger.  I haven't gone to any family things, because I am sure that I coudn't handle it.  I think it is completely ok to state what we can and cannot do!  So there to all the N's who say different.  And also to that dumb guilt weak thought in my head.

 My mil came over the other day.  Tried a lot of her....how shall I say " communicating" with me.  I was shaking inside hoping that I would be able to keep her outside of my head.  She is the image in most of my PTSD stuff.   In the days that followed, I literallly felt like I needed to so some sort of cleansing ritual to get her out of my house......and out of my thoughts.  It has been a few days, and I am still trying to shake it.  But, in my own defense, I stood my ground.  I even think she was nervous cause her stuff wasn't working.  I saw the fear!!! She grabbed her little tote bag and got outta there pretty fast.  I had a little satisfied moment.  More than anything, I am tired of being afraid.  I have spent so many years being afraid and taking all these steps to protect myself.  I am determined to stand tall being me.....even if I stand alone without validation and companionship.  I think that you are standing tall.  And I am gaining strength from watching your efforts.  ( another holleroop yell just for that!)

Pops


tayana

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Re: 3 Weeks and Counting
« Reply #10 on: November 01, 2007, 01:53:16 PM »
Oh, Pops.  I am so afraid of my n mother.  I always have been.  I feel like I have to always been on guard around her.

In fact, she just called here.  I saw the number come up for an outside line, and I let it go to voice mail.  The person hung up.  I know it was her, and for a minute I just sat here with my heart pounding because I was so afraid of talking to her.  I know she's going to be nasty, and I don't want to hear it.

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Pops.  I'm trying really hard.
http://tayana.blogspot.com

You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you
really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot
do.
-Elanor Roosevelt

Ami

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Re: 3 Weeks and Counting
« Reply #11 on: November 01, 2007, 02:58:28 PM »
Dear Pops and Tayana,
  I can tell you from "getting in the face " of an N(my M and also FIL). that they are REALLY cowards.If they sense strength, they will run. Strength is best when it is quiet and resolute. I told my FIL ONCE that I would never see him again if he did not treat me right. That one quiet ,strong statement lasted for the rest of the time that I knew him.. He never insulted or sniped me again.
   Poppy.you had a BIG victory. The fact that she was afraid is very important.If you can quietly,but strongly get your power back, they may pick on s/one else.
  You did great.Poppy.
  Tayana, you can  get  strength from the board and any other resources that you have. You will have your chance to exercise it.                                       Love   Ami    (((((((Tayana,Poppy,)

Compost what doesn't fit
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.        Eleanor Roosevelt

Most of our problems come from losing contact with our instincts,with the age old wisdom stored within us.
   Carl Jung

betr4

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Re: 3 Weeks and Counting
« Reply #12 on: November 01, 2007, 03:09:33 PM »
Tayana,
I don't know your whole story but reading this thread, I can relate.
My children are now grown and I can see now what was happening all those years with a nm.
I did not know what, but something was wrong and I knew it all the time.  I could not keep my boundaries intact since I valued family and constantly tried to make it work.
I did not know then, but do now that my nm would become more and more the n she is, until finally now SHE has shut me out of her life.
As if I am the one that injured her. I stopped being a source of supplu and I came out of denial.   She has my 2 daughters under her spell and has totally discarded me as I am in recovery and a stronger person now not living in her denial.
Take care of yourself and your child first.  My nm didn't ever quit or get better.  I have to remember that NC with her is the only way I can forgive her and let her go.  As she has gotten older, her behaviors have intensified.
Working on stronger boundaries is very difficult but life saving (and sanity saving).
Thanks BR

tayana

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Re: 3 Weeks and Counting
« Reply #13 on: November 01, 2007, 03:47:10 PM »
Br, my mom is th eone who actually intitiated NC.  She didn't want to talk to me, and I've just let it go.  It's been three weeks, and I really do feel better than I have for a long time.  I don't feel sick all the time.  My stomach problems have gotten much better.  I'm not having headaches, although my medicine does make me tired.

My NM has gotten worse as she's gotten older too.  She was always bad, but at least when she was younger she had her job and hobbies to keep her interested in other things.  Now she doesn't have any hobbies, except TV, and she's a bitter woman who has nothing better to do that remind everyone else of her superiority.

I'm tired of living my life to please her, because there is no pleasing her.  I'm not sure I can forgive her for the things she's done to me.  Here's a link to my story:  http://www.voicelessness.com/disc3//index.php?topic=5607.0
http://tayana.blogspot.com

You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you
really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot
do.
-Elanor Roosevelt

betr4

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Re: 3 Weeks and Counting
« Reply #14 on: November 01, 2007, 04:07:56 PM »
Tayana,
Maybe just give yourself some time to work through and to get stronger.
I went to a family reunion 3 weeks ago that I was not going to go to because of my mother and sister. 
I did go and with all the good people there and the fun I had talking to cousins and relatives I love, my nm sat at her table and I was the one to speak to her. I was really okay and not feeling oppressed at all. She has to maintain a very composed people pleasing attitude around others.
Since then she has not bothered me.  I know and she knows I am strong enough not to let her get to me anymore.
I am over the grief and I can even know she is sick and miserable and I am very grateful that I don't have to be her victim or miserable like her. She has my father under her complete control and I miss seeing him.  But I pray for them and let them go.
Thanks BR