Toxic Mothers on Mother's Day
Why They Don't Deserve Your Time
By Lenora Thompson on Psych Central
Narcissistic Abuse Awareness and Guidance with Randi Fine
Who doesn’t want to be close to their mother, especially on Mother’s Day? But for thousands, it’s just not possible. Being with Mom hurts too much. Her “love” is toxic. It causes too much emotional pain. No time is this more controversial and guilt-inducing than on Mother’s Day.
How Do I Know if Mom is Toxic? Does your stomach clench when her number pops up on your caller ID? Do you grimace and roll your eyes when her voice whines from your voicemail? Does her impending visit fill you with dread? Do you clean like a fiend before her “white glove” test? Do you pick stupid fights with your spouse as a passive/aggressive way to relieve the stress of being obliged to visit Mom? Do you put on a smiley act around her, but heave a sigh of relief when she leaves? Do you need time alone to recover from spending time with her? Do you teach your children to “play dumb” or lie when she asks them intrusive questions? Do you interrogate them after a visit to see what private information Grandma tricked them into revealing? Do you find yourself screaming in the privacy of your car or basement when she visits but not know why? Do you get headaches when she’s around, but blame it on being allergic to her perfume or the overwhelming scent of her fabric softener?