Convo with my mom ig
The story
Hiyo ! How are y'all doing doing ? I've come here to vent yet again. I'm putting in a PSA real quick to tell you that it's going to get a bit heavy and lengthy, so please click off if you're not up for it. With that out of the way, here's my vent.
My mom recently intiated a conversation with me. By that point, I was keeping my distance from her for months in hopes that she wouldn't be as surprised that I would leave the house one day and not contact her as well as the rest of the family and not getting bombarded with calls and mesages from them. She opened the conversation with the fact that she had a dream where we were together with my grandma, and at some point, grandma disappeared, leaving behind a note that says "reconcile with each other". My mom then said that passed loved ones are still there watching over us, and that she believed that grandma was sending her a message through her dreams (and thinking about it, I think that it really was just her guilt eating at her, but I can't be too sure). She finally ended that first bit with "if you have things that you are angry with me about, you can tell me."
At first, I was silent because one, I didn't really believe she'd actually listen to me, two, I thought (still do) that she was doing this in an effort to drag me back in to get me to interact with her like I used to (act like everything's fine, and when a conflict arises that either she or stepdad initiate, stay silent and never actually adress it later) and three, because I was contemplating waving her off. But I then I also thought that this could be an opportunity to address things that she did throughout the years, so I went through with it anyway.
I'm kind of nervous to talk about the first point, but I still want to have a chance on having clarity, so here goes. The first thing that I adressed was her and bio dad bringing me in a place to get needles inserted in my head. I don't know how far they went, but I ended up getting scabs on my scalp years later, and since I've had chronic skin picking since I was a kid, I picked on those. Anyway, when I mentioned it, the first thing she asks me is "you're mad about that ?" like she was almost about to laugh. I'm like "well, yeah, this thing hurt and I cried a lot because of this, why wouldn't I be ?". I was probably like, 4 or 5 from what I remember. She then explained to me that they brought me there because I apparently didn't talk a lot apart from a few words. She also explained to me that I actually had an acupuncture done on me, and that I had this done on me for at least 6 times. To this, I'm have mixed feelings because okay, it touches directly into my health, and it's normal for parents to worry about their kid's health. At the same time, I have this nagging feeling that something still doesn't feel right because of the size of the needles. Maybe it was really because I was little, but I remember them being a little bigger from standard acupuncture needles, and that it was done in a remote area. I'm not even sure if the guy that did it to me was actually a qualified person to do it. At the same time, I also read somewhere that acupunctures can hurt if they're bigger, inserted forcefully and it depends on the brand of needles. I really don't know how to feel about this.
The second point was, I noticed that my mom was chatting on the phone with a cousin that tried to r*pe me and even had a selfie with him even after I told her about it, but I didn't want to assume and I was hoping I was wrong. So I simply asked her if she was still talking to him. She was silent for a second before telling me that yes, she did. She then explained that she asked him about it and told him to stop doing that, and apparently he said okay...I am disappointed in her. So much. I'm going to be harsh, but what the hell was she thinking ? Just because you ask him to stop, you think he's actually going to stop and not do it to another girl in the family ? He attempted to SA your daughter, you learn about it from your daughter, and the first thing you think to do is ask him to stop instead of, I don't know, notifying authorities beacuse there's a literal predator in the family ?? Tbf, I just told her about the attempted assault and not the fact that I noticed from the corner of my eye that this guy, who was 20 while I was 17, was preying on me the moment he saw me, but still ! It's messed up regardless of me telling her about that part or not ! Sadly, I can't say I'm too surprised by it, because seeing her husband trying to pinch or slap her daughter's butt apparently doesn't alarm her because "it's just a joke".
Anyway, I didn't tell her about how disappointed and not surprised I was by that revelation. I just moved on to my third point, which was to ask her why she yelled at me for things I did that were ultimately inconsequential to her and why she criticized me about my physique, my way of being or my clothing style. To give you an example, not too long ago, I had an end of the year ceremony in college to attend to. I was planning for an outfit to wear when my mom called me over so that she could give me an outfit. Seeing that I honestly didn't want the clothes that she proposed to me, I politely told her no and went back in my room to continue to look for outfits in my closet and drawers. That's when she comes in, vexed and asking me why *I* was vexed. Tbf, I did walk out a little too strongly and fast for my liking, but I really wasn't. Anyway, I point out that, no, she's the one that's vexed that I said no, not me. She eventually tells me that I have to "honor" stepdad (yuck) because he would come with me to that ceremony and that my clothes are ugly. Mind you, the clothes that I have in my closet are clothes that stepsister, stepdad and her have bought me throughout the years, so I think it's jarring for her to say that.
I tell her all about that, and of course, she tells me she doesn't remember that happening ! She also tells me that she surely wanted me to be presentable the day of, and I was like "no, you were vexed that I said no, mom. You wanting me to be presentable doesn't make it okay to say that my clothes are ugly." I also tell her about a couple of other things among the numerous incidents of her yelling at me , which I'm not going to site because this vent is already long as it is. I ask her if she thinks it's normal for a parent to yell at their kid for the most minor things a kid could do. She starts answering something about "you know, you gotta know to forgive, even to your worst enemy". There's this back and forth where I keep asking her if it's normal for a parent to do that while she keeps answering that.
At the conclusion of this conversation, she "apologizes for everything she's done" and asks if I forgive her and if we could make up. I tell her that no, and explain that with everything that she's done, there's no way I'm letting her back in my life because what happened was detrimental for the mental in the long run. She kept insisting on getting me to tell her that I forgive her. At some point, she tells me that if I don't forgive, even my grandma and God wouldn't forgive me (in hindsight, I'm still baffled that she even dared to talk about my grandma like that and consequently, I felt forced to say that I forgive her so that she leaves me alone), but I insisted that I'd keep my distance from her. She eventually says that she regrets that she didn't bring me to church more when I was able to retain the teachings, which internally only made me glad that I didn't get the religious trauma flavor upon everything else.
With this ends this vent. I hope y'all have a great day/evening/night and I'll see you later !
Stories in the same category
Points of view
hey, that sounds like m a super intense convo with your mom; sounds tough. i totally get where you're coming from about questioning her intentions and not feeling ready to forgive. it’s hard when parents try to guilt-trip you into reconciliation by bringing up God or other family members. like, forgiveness should come naturally, not be forced, right? i once had a similar chat with my dad after years of silence and while he wanted things to go back to normal too quickly, i just needed more time to process everything. sometimes space is the healthiest path for everyone involved… seems like you’re handling this with a lot of courage and clarity!
man, that’s a heavy load you’re carrying there. but I'm a bit caught up on the acupuncture thing: are you sure you're remembering it right? seems a tad dramatic to hold onto something from when you were 4 or 5??? I mean, if your folks genuinely thought they were helping…. could be worth giving them some slack on that one?? it doesn’t excuse how she handled your cousin situation though!! like, what was she even thinking?! honestly feels like she's not seeing things clearly!!!! maybe just keep doing what's best for your own sanity and peace of mind. remember, you're in control of who gets to remain in your life!!!
I mean, I only remember one time out of the supposed 6 times this was done to me, in which I cried a literal torrent because of the pain, so I do hold a bit of a grudge on that ^^'. I could be wrong, but I feel like the acupunctures at least played a part in me not remembering most of my childhood when I was in my home country
Man, that's a heavy load to carry; it sounds like you're handling a lot. It's really brave of you to even start that conversation with your mom, considering everything you've been through. But I've gotta say, her reaction doesn't seem very supportive or understanding. Like, why would she keep contact with someone who tried to hurt you? That's just not cool, no matter how you slice it.. Also, that whole thing about forgiveness being tied to what your grandma and God think is kinda manipulative if you ask me. Do you feel her pushiness might make it harder for you to set boundaries in the future?
I like to think that I made it pretty clear to them that no matter how hard they try, they can't really get me to be close and affectionate ever again. Just that conversation alone only made me more certain about me keeping my distance. In my eyes, I can't really be the adult I want to be if I keep harmful company like this, even if it hurts in the process
Man, that’s a rough spot to be in; but I think it says a lot about your strength that you’re standing firm on your boundaries even when facing pressure from family guilt trips...
Thanks :') Though I do feel a little lost on where to go next, knowing that I won't have them in my life anymore when I move out
Wow, that’s definitely a lot to unpack! I can't believe how intense that whole conversation was, seriously, props to you for holding your ground and speaking up; it really takes guts to confront family members about such deep-rooted issues. The part about your mom talking with the cousin who tried to r*pe you...ugh, that's just mind-boggling and so infuriating??? It's baffling she wouldn't immediately cut ties with someone like that. Honestly, from my own experience, some parents just seem to live in their own version of reality where they brush off these heavy things as if they're no big deal. As far as the acupuncture story goes, it's legit concerning... Making medical decisions without understanding the full picture is so irresponsible. You did awesome by standing firm on needing time apart; sometimes people need more than words to change...and distance can be a powerful teacher! Stay strong...
Hey there, that situation with your mom sounds super heavy and emotionally draining. It’s honestly baffling how some people can act so clueless when it comes to serious issues like attempted assault; I can't even imagine the frustration you're feeling. 😤 The whole acupuncture thing also seems sketchy AF if you ask me. Like, how do they not get that what might have seemed like help from their perspective actually left a mark on you? It's kinda wild how parents sometimes just don't see things the way we do and brush off our valid concerns. I've found that setting boundaries is crucial for peace of mind, even if it's tough at first; it definitely sounds like you're keeping your priorities straight by prioritizing your own mental health.
your story sheds light on quite a few complex dynamics... I'm particularly intrigued by the acupuncture part. you mentioned remembering one instance vividly: do you think this memory might have been influenced or framed differently over time? memories from such a young age can often get distorted... what strikes me too is your mom's reaction...it seems like she's deflecting rather than confronting past issues, which could suggest a lack of awareness or denial on her part. maintaining boundaries is tough but sometimes essential for protecting one's mental health :)
I'm honestly still very conflicted over this. I forgot to say it in my original post, but just as we reached that place, I noticed that a lot of kids at that place were crying a lot, and it honestly disturbed me a bit. That part of the memory is a bit blurry, but I think they had the same thing done on them (which is something I also brought up to my mom, I'm pretty sure). My mom honestly just focused on the fact that they did everything they could and did it for my own good. Other than in this recent conversation, I don't really remember this procedure actually being brought up and talked about
hey, reading through your story, it’s clear you’ve been through a lot and it's understandable to feel torn about the whole situation. i think sometimes parents don't realize how their actions impact us long term, and it's tough when they don't acknowledge that. with everything you've shared, staying true to your feelings and setting those boundaries seems like the right move. you know what's best for your peace of mind and future. keep focusing on what makes you happy and don’t rush yourself into anything you're not comfortable with; you'll find your way forward eventually!
Hey, that was quite a read, and I'm sorry you're dealing with all this. It’s clear you’re navigating some pretty complex emotions and family dynamics. Your mom's dream about your grandma seems more like her subconscious trying to communicate unresolved guilt or issues she hasn't dealt with. It's strange how parents can interpret dreams as reality sometimes. Also, about the acupuncture: were there other health treatments they tried for you when you were younger? That could provide some context into why they chose that route even if their intentions didn't fully consider your experience. Stay strong; prioritizing your mental well-being is important!
From what I remember from that conversation, my mom told me that she gave me pills, but they were too heavy for me, which ended up with me puking. They decided to get me to get acupunctures along with back massages. The only thing I actually remember having done on me a couple of times were those back massages.
It seems like you're navigating a complex family dynamic, and while it's your decision to distance yourself, I can't help but wonder if there's room for professional mediation to explore any possible resolution or understanding with your mom; sometimes an objective third party can facilitate conversations that might provide closure or at least help you see things through a different lens.
From where I stand, the moment she tells me she's still talking to a predator that's happens to be a family member, the relationship is over. I think she can heal, because I know, even without her actually telling me, that she has her own insecurities. But she'll have to find an actual healthy support system of her own, because what she actually misses of me was my affection towards her and not me as a person, and I don't think her husband actually helps with how judgmental he can get and how he was trying to force a connection back for months.
well, wow, your story's got layers for sure; but that part where your mom brushes off your efforts to talk about the past is frustrating. it's like she's bypassing real accountability and instead wants a quick fix with a blanket apology. honestly, sounds like she's not ready or willing to face the full scope of the impact her actions have on you. but do you think if there was some way for both of you to revisit these issues constructively, it could help bring more closure? despite everything, focusing on your own path forward seems like a strong move; better days are ahead when you prioritize yourself!
With the way things are now, I don't think it's possible. Maybe in like...10 or 20 years, it will be ? But it's not certain that either of us lives long enough for that to happen and if we do
That we actually manage to get a proper communication
Moral of the story, I'm not sure 🤷♀️
not easy :(
forgive me if i'm off-base here, but do you think maybe your mom is trying to rewrite the narrative in a way that paints her actions more favorably?
With how she was trying to justify her yelling at me over me saying no to her giving me clothes for that ceremony, I do think she does. I've heard her and even stepdad say "it's for your own good" when I ended up crying because of them