March 28, 2024, 08:54:07 AM

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"Welcome to WiseWomenUnite.com -- When adult children marry and leave home, life can sometimes get more complex instead of simpler.  Being a mother-in-law or daughter-in-law can be tough.  How do we extend love and support to our mothers-in-law, adult children, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, and grandchildren without interfering?  What do we do when there are communication problems?  How can we ask for help when we need it without being a burden?  And how do our family members feel about these issues?  We invite you to join our free forum, read some posts... and when you're ready...share your challenges and wisdom."


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Topics - NancyBee720

1
My AD is having a meltdown.  I posted previously about her having to move up to live near my son and his family.  Nothing but trouble since. She hates it there and according to her just about everything is wrong with it. My opinion - she has decided to hate it here. She wants some idyllic life supported by someone else that does not exist. 

I've tried staying out of it, keeping my mouth shut, not offering advice (ever), but she is not getting better. There's been a big blowup over a cell phone conversation on my GD's cell phone.  Cell phone is paid for by my other AD and rules were keep grades up, behave, turn over the cell phone at 8:30, and cell phone, including texts, were not private and could be read at any time by any adult. Messages were found calling niece of DIL a "butch." Problems over the two years they've all lived together have culminated in this.  These girls are 11 years old and in 6th grade.

The entire situation has morphed into a big family fight.  AD is tired of being a single mom.  She has no job skills and works a low paying job. I am of the opinion that she has chosen 1) to not improve her job skills when she had a chance, or even now; (long standing differences as to no high school diploma, or GED, which she says she has failed the test for twice); 2) stay married to a convicted felon (he's in prison); 3) allowing him to send letters to my 11 year old GD, and even taking her to see him a couple of times; 4) allow my 18 year old GS to not get very needed help in school, which now has resulted in him not being able to graduate in June 2016; 5) insist that her business be "private" unless she's desperate for money, 6) participating and encouraging a 6th grader's (my GD) hatred toward another girl, and on and on. My AS and DIL and my other AD have been supportive too but this still is not good enough for her.  I am at a loss as to what to do, if anything. My inclination is to just stay out of it, but is that the right thing to do?  She accused me of not "taking her side" and she infers that we thwart her authority with her children.  It's just gotten ridiculous and I fear she will have a melt down and then what?  What about my dear grandchildren?  They witness this every day and it breaks my heart. 

2
Hi all, new to the forum and am in need of helpful ears!  My AD, age 38, has two children, one son, 17 and one daughter 11. AD has always had a contentious relationship with the father of my GS.  Over the years she would complain and I would suggest that she simply not engage in arguing, exchanging insults, etc. with him (which she ignored).  He was not cooperative.  They dragged my dear GS into their crap.  Despite this, he has turned into a nice young man.  My GD's father was okay, he worked full-time (reluctantly).  Turns out he is an addict, has an unhealthy relationship with his mother and is currently serving in a "prison" fire camp.  He is scheduled to be released in 2018.  DD and my grandchildren were forced to leave their home after my SIL left them.  Add to this the home they lived in was owned by my SIL's mother.

My DD did not have a full time job to support herself and my grandkids.  My DS and DIL and I and my ex-husband took a weekend to move them to the city where my DS and DIL live, still in California.  This was in November 2013.  They moved in with my DS and DIL (who have two small children, ages 4 and 6) until DD could "get on her feet" and get a job and her own apartment.

Of course there were problems.  My daughter does not have training or job skills other than waitressing. She has never wanted to work full-time. She wanted to be a stay at home mom.  To her, she was doing her best but to my DS and DIL she was a bit lazy and unmotivated.  They set and re-set some boundaries (multiple times) and explained that the situation with them was temporary (which they had done before the move) and she would have to find full-time work and her own place.  She eventually landed a full-time job at a call center for a major health insurer, and it's close to where she lives!  Only a ten minute drive.  She's been working for a little over a year.  She was able to get her own 2 bedroom apartment that she and my grandkids moved into in September of 2014.  They lived with my DS and DIL and family for about 10 months.

Fast forward to today. DD is miserable as ever (and more so each day) and she is taking it out on the kids. She flies off the handle for every little thing.  I decided to intervene and talk to her as I have witnessed this behavior many times and it makes me sad for the kids.  It's not their fault she is miserable!  She is modeling this behavior and teaching them to do the same.  She needed to hear how her attitude and behavior is affecting her children.

She told me she 1) hates her job; 2) hates where they live; 3) doesn't have friends; 4) hates my DIL's family (the city where they moved to is where much of my DIL's family lives, her mom, dad, brother and sister and family);  5) and admitted that she' s been visiting her ex husband and taking my GD with her - after all the pain he has caused!  Her family has taken up the slack and supported her and the kids, as much as possible, including financially.  And she does not appear to be grateful.  She never once during our conversation (or any other time) said "I'm grateful" - not for one thing!  She said she did not tell anyone that she's visiting her husband because it's "none of anyone's business."  Huh?  I disagree.  She wants to hide what she is ashamed of.  If that is what she chooses, that is fine, but there is no need to hide behind it.  Just be straight up.  She's never given a darn any other time what anyone thinks about what she does.  Why now?  And she has taught my GD to lie in the process. 

She says she doesn't have "support" where they live now.  My DS and DIL have offered her "support" and help but she doesn't like the way they do this, that, whatever!  It's ALWAYS some complaint!  She has also put on about 50 pounds.  All signs of depression, yes.  She was seeing a doctor and was prescribed some anti-depressants but she's stopped taking them. 

I am not sure what to do.  She is 38 and her problems seem to be getting worse.  Do I keep after her?  Do I continue to offer "suggestions?"  Do I mind my own business?  Will I be blamed for "not caring" enough?  Do I ask if she's made a doctor appointment (at my urging, get a check-up, maybe some anti-anxiety or depression meds)?

My inclination is to let it go and re-focus on my own life.  I admit that I dislike her attitude and lack of gratitude. It has also hurt and is disturbing to other members of our family, who have provided help and financial assistance now and then.  What have we done wrong? Is the problem with us? She's approaching 40!  Will this continue?  When her husband is released it is clear they will get back together.  We told her that her choices are just that - her choices and we will love her no matter what.

I've read other posts on this forum and I suppose I have to look at my motivation for wanting to intervene and see change.  This has exhausted me and I think I'd rather focus my energy on other things, not my adult daughter who can't seem to get with the program.