<p>My goodness. I just went back and started reading this thread more closely. Emerald. Wow. What a resilient person you are!</p>
<p>Wow, this is quite the thread! To the original poster and the many who have shared their stories in response…it has helped me. I am so not alone on lots of this here. </p>
<p>And to Carolyn…your initial post on this thread brings me to tears. You know it is not really either or. I too get so frustrated with my mom in particular as she is very very difficult. But by the same token, at some point, they are not gonna be here. No, I won’t miss a lot of what she does but I still want my parents in my life. And for that, having lost my dad a year and a half ago, it really still breaks me up. So, on the one hand, I feel like you to be lucky to have them and it is better than not having them but also there are some very very trying times and I am glad to read of others’ vents cause like someone else said, mine could fill pages and so I won’t bore you. </p>
<p>And EmeraldKity…your story does take the cake. Maybe I don’t have it so bad in this department!
Susan</p>
<p>I have a wonderful mom, I just got off the phone with her in which we agreed mother’s day cards were way to commercial. My MIL is weird but intends good even if she hasn’t figured out how to carry it off. DH describes her as having a limited “thought-a-rama”, you get the same stories over and over again.
My childhood best friend’s mother is apiece of work though. I always thought she was really weird when we were kids, and she has become much worse with age. My friend recently told me that her mom had telling positive stories about the man who sexually abused my friend as a child. SICK!
Fortunately, my mom is a Wendy character ( she collects lost boys and girls) and she has always been a substitute mom for my friend. She actually sees my friend more than she sees us because they live closer together.
My advice is that if your children have friends with difficult parents, provide them with a safe haven when you can. Sometimes we just have to create the family we need. Much love to you all with difficult parents, remember it is never to late to adopt extra ones, and there are plenty of older folks who would be happy to adopt you.
Ellen</p>