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OT - Not about step anything

Ninji's picture

Intact families are not that great either

Background: My mother has worked nights since I was a teenager. It's been about 23 years. She is the type that wakes up right before she has to leave for work and then stays up until all hours of the night. She's an adult whatever. The problem is that I have a very limited time that I can call her because I never know when she's awake during the day and she can't have her phone at work. Even when I was a teen, I would leave notes on the table for her to answer because I never saw her.

So last Thursday was SO's father's B Day and we took him to dinner. It was pretty horrible and I went home and zoned out with my dogs. When I got to work the next day, I noticed I had missed a call from my mom. I didn't think anything of it, she didn't follow up with a text or leave a message.

Friday night, I heard my phone ringing but we were seating at the table eating dinner. I figured it was my mom and called her back when we were finished.

Conversation
Mom: I'm at the hospital right now. I had a reaction to some new medication and was admitted last night. I'm fine now and I'm just waiting on papers from the Dr. to say I can go back to work
ME: I'm glad to hear your OK
Mom: (cutting me off) why didn't you answer you phone last night
Me: I explain going to dinner and not hearing the phone
Mom: Well, I just tried to call you a couple of minutes ago
Me: Yeah I know, we here eating dinner
Mom: Well you should answer your phone you don't know when it's an emergency
Me: I'm sorry but I'm not jumping up to answer the phone during family dinners.
Mom: You should have a special ring tone for me so you know to answer the phone. Just in case for emergencies.
Me: You just said yourself that you are fine. (she lives in Oh, I live in FL) If it's an emergency, there is nothing I can do for you this far away.
Mom: (more stuff about me not answering the phone)
I hung up

Then this morning, she sends me a text that my father is going into surgery and she will keep me updated. No one ever told me he was going into surgery. And for what?

This is the same woman that text me Christmas morning telling me not to call because her and dad have a sore throat. The call last Thursday was the first I had heard from her. She doesn't want to hear from me unless it's about her. I have tried many times to establish some kind of real relationship with her but she doesn’t want to. The last straw for me was several months ago, I was trying to get her advice on something and asked her a couple of questions but she just kept saying yeah, ok. She must have been watching TV and just making sounds so I would think she was paying attention.

Part of me just wants to tell her not to bother, she has my two brothers and father. (None of whom speak to me unless I contact them) I feel done with them all.

Comments

Ninji's picture

I think my mom has lost her mind. Last year she sent me a text telling me that she set up an appointment for me at a sperm bank. She wants grandkids.

I have been with SO for five years. I replied to her that I have plenty of access to sperm but thanks anyways.

When I broke up with my EX, I was single for maybe 6months before SO and I started getting serious. In that little bit of time, she was trying to set up an on line dating account for me. I was pissed about that.

Ninji's picture

I told her my younger brother is pretty irresponsible and will probably knock someone up soon. But that hasn't happened yet.

Evil stepmonster's picture

I'm the same with my family. The only one that bothers to keep in touch (through fb only) are one cousin I haven't seen for 20 something years and a half brother I've only met once. The way I see it, I'm better off. I'm not chasing after anyone for attention anymore. I stopped that when I was about 8 or 9 I think.

Ninji's picture

After the text from my mom on Christmas, I decided not to text or call my brothers and see if they would send me something first. Still haven't heard a word.

Sports Fan's picture

Same with my family, if you can even call them that. You are not alone in this. Just live your life an be happy. Best way to deal with people like this.

Ninji's picture

My brother is the golden child. He was in the Marines for 8 years (I was in the Air Force for 6...Not good enough I guess) and when he returned from Germany, he had no where to go (he didn't want to go live with mom and dad). I let him live with me but he refused to work and would eat all my food. I complained to my parents and they would say, Poor J***, he's just getting used to being back in the states. Or give him a break.

Last time I saw my brother, I told him I hadn't heard from mom and dad in awhile and he said they call him a couple times a week.

When we were kids he would always get straight A's and I would usually get straight A's with the exception of one or two B's. (I graduated with a 3.8 GPA) and my parents would pay him for grades and tell me mine weren't good enough.

ChiefGrownup's picture

Oh, yes, plenty of that kind of thing in my family. Get a text Thurs from one of my sisters. I keep a very long distance between me and her because of her hurtfulness and narcissism so for years she's been in a "please pay attention to me" stance with me, like with kid gloves to me, trying not scare me away. She lives many hours away.

So this text says she's going to be in my town w/in 24 hours and could I meet her and bil for lunch/dinner/coffee please please please? She'll do anything if I just come out of my hidey hole to spend an hour with her, pleeeeeez?!

I actually love my bil and I love my nieces, one of whom just had a baby. So I decide I will go for coffee with them and give them packages for my two nieces and the grand niece-baby because they drove to my state and can easily transport the gifts back to the girls. Run out and buy extra gifts cuz I'm getting all mushy. Even bought a new outfit cuz I'm that stupid I just wanted to feel confident and look gracious.

Hmmm....radio silence has started though. No response to my text confirming I'll meet them. Finally, Sunday morning I text are you guys ok? Did you make it here/have a change of plans?

An hour and a half later I get the leisurely response, yes, they're here, sorry, won't be able to visit with me.

My dh was aghast. I just laughed. Oh, what was her reason for being here? some busy work thing? No, neither of them work. They drove all this way to visit my Chief Narcissist, er, person who gave birth to sis and me. And to "check" on my brother's empty house that hasn't sold. 3 days of that, not a half hour to spare for Baby Sister/ChiefGrownup!
As dh kept saying, they are going to have all those meals anyway, they couldn't name a restaurant and time and have you stop by?

Really, I can't stop laughing. All her protestations of I'll do anything just to see you!!! But the really good thing is my DH seeing her in action and his utter disgust and shock and his complete and wonderful support of me. That was pretty fantastic.

So, that was the first time in about 2 decades I've fallen for one of her traps. Lesson learned probably for another 2 decades. Really, I can't stop laughing! So glad I disengaged from these people years ago!

Ninji's picture

Wow, my parents are the same. I called them in Sept and asked if they could do a trip for spring break and meet us in TN where SO's mom lives. That way we could all see each other and each drive half way. My parents are horrible with money so I thought I'd give them a heads up to plan. Of course it' too far off to plan and blah blah. Not a month later my mom asked me if I have any plans for March. Why, because she and dad are planning to drive to Tampa and see my brother. I don't believe she hears a word that comes out of my mouth.

ChiefGrownup's picture

Got a huge laugh out of your story! They're driving to Tampa to see your brother, haahahahahaaaa! I'm truly sorry if this stuff still hurts you but for me your Tampa/bro story is so completely familiar and I am so over it that it just made me laugh and laugh! Hope you'll forgive me if you are still smarting but I promise you it feels way better when you get past the hurt and can start guffawing.

At least your brother was going to be there to be visited. I don't even rate as high as my brother's EMPTY house! Can't stop giggling!

Ninji's picture

I'm not mad anymore. I was pissed though when my mom was trying to guilt me Friday night. SO and I had just gotten into it about SKids and MLK day. And I wasn't in the mood.