Co-parenting with your mother

Christine - posted on 02/21/2010 ( 4 moms have responded )

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Some will say I'm lucky to have my parents nearby to help me with the kids. But I am struggling to have a balance of power between my mother & myself. I feel guilty for wanting to raise my children on my own but she wants to help but takes over my mother role as I become a bystander. I find it so hard to make boundaries with her.

For example she comes over every morning to help with the routine before the bus. She always insists on doing my dishes. She prepares the kids lunchboxes. My father will get the kids clothes ready. Do their beds for them they serve them breakfast. Why is it so hard for me to fight for my place? Night routine they've come by for the past 6 months. I asked them tonight to not come by tomorrow morning. My mother said she doesn`t mind coming. I said trust me I can do this on my own. She said oh but maybe your father will come by to do something. What something? I'll be fine. You are so afraid that I will need help and you won`t be around. Allow me to ask for your help. She replied But what if you don`t ask for it? Then I said you can come tomorrow night I will need a babysitter... We'll see how things will unfold.

It's when my son cries at night and asks for his grandma. Well it's great that they have a close bond with their grandparents. Is it that I am jealous or selfish? Is it too much to ask to have some control over my life. I know my mother feels like I am not appreciating her help as I am impatient with her but I want space and she won`t give it to me. She wants to run the show her way. When I tell her I do things my way she replies that she does things her ways. But I said your ways means I have to abide by your rules & do things your way. No. That's just the way I am. I just feels there is no way out. Keep on accepting & feel trap? Some advice. I don`t want to feel like it`s a mother contest no more. How do people find their place & accept others new role?

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4 Comments

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Christine - posted on 02/22/2010

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Good news. They did respect my boundaries this morning. I was on my own getting the kids ready for school. What a good feeling of getting things done on your own. They came tonight to babysit and I thanked them for not coming this morning. My mother thought I was sarcastic but I said no it's just nice to get it done on my own. And everything went fine. Youppi!!! What an accomplishment this was... Thank you for your prayers. I will continue to pray for establishing my independance or a healthier relationship.

Heather - posted on 02/22/2010

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I really think that sitting down and explaining this to your mom and dad might help. Tell them that you really do appriciate all of the help, but you need a chance to be a mom too. You need to bond with your children and right now you can't. Explaining it to them will probably be more beneficial then just asking them not to come. Ask them if they could come some morning and some evenings or just mornings or just evenings. Work out something that will still include them, but also give you a chance to be a mommy.

Amy - posted on 02/21/2010

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Wow. I will keep you in my prayers. While you were talking I was thinking of the show Everybody loves Raymond. Where the fathers parents are always over and sticking their nose into everything and when the parents say no they do not need help the Grandparents goes bunkers. My parents do help us out but not like that. Thank God. I have had my share of problems with my parents. I was verbaly and mentally abused by my parents and Grandparents (Just one set of Grandparents. Both Grandmothers were alcoholics, The one Grandfather was an alcoholic and a gambler, My dad is an alcoholic. I had a second cousin who did alcohol and drugs. I go to Al-Anon meetings which really help me alot. My Dad stopped talking to his Mom for a month when I was little because she was always telling them what to do to raise me. So I do understand. If you need to talk feel free to email me. God bless you always.

Anne - posted on 02/21/2010

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Hi Christine, it sounds like maybe the book "Boundaries" would help you. MY husband and I have 2 adults daughters. I know that there are times that I would like to step in and do things for them, yet I have learned the hard way to not cross the boundaries. My issues were trying to be their personal, holy spirit. It took about 6 months for me to get it, but I did and our relationship was repaired.

Along with reading the book I suggested, I would Pray about your relationship with your parents. I DO NOT MEAN to sound harsh, I just know the Power of Prayer. I will keep you and your parents in my Prayers.