[Ren6]

raggedmom, have you asked your daughter if she will go to counseling with you? Are you willing to go? Even if she refuses, it might be helpful for you to work things out with a professional. You are not too old to find true love, or work on your deep issues. A counselor can help you to see that you are worthy of somebody decent. Really, as far as I can see right now, counseling is your best alternative. Even if your daughter doesn't go, a professional can help you figure out how to deal with her.

Take care...

[raggedmom]

Yes, thanks for advice. I am going. I went for a year after the abusive marriage, he went to prison and I had not contact w/him. The state paid for the counseling, that was 9 yrs ago. Funny, I have met w/him recently and he thinks it is wrong what he did to us, but has no idea the aftermath and emotional trauma his 4 yrs of abuse caused us both. He says he is in prison ministry, but still not very remorseful(if any). People rarely change.
I am going to ask my daughter. My oldest stays in touch w/her, even though she told her since she knew the truth about where I was going and didn't tell her, that she cut off contact w/her and told her she wasn't her sister, but changed her mind later that next day.
My daughter takes and judges, but doesn't really care about me as a person for years. She is so spoiled and self righteous. My oldest says it is all my fault that she is the way she is. I ask, why not also due to her dad not being involved in her life, my daughter(oldest) says no that has nothing to do with it. He cheated on me with his secretary, my best friend, but they have remained together this whole 20 yrs. I have dated many different men. I lose interest and need too much attention. I hope I can get help. I fear it is too late for my daughter. She has treated me disrespectfully for years, since she was a teen, my dad used to comment prior to his death. She is so stubborn that I think she is done for now with me. I have often thought, when I am sick and need care(like my mom does now after a stroke) would she care for me? I doubt it, although she is being good w/my mom now. We have a love/hate relationship.
My daughter says I live through her and her accomplishments, when I try to get my own life, she runs that too. She doesn't like hardly anyone I date.
I was going to write her a letter when she returns from her trip, my oldest said to wait and to let her calm down first. Your thoughts?

[tryme45]

First thing I have to say is your daughter is your daughter forever. A man is your man as long as you want or don't want. If she has had bad experiences with the stalker then of course she wouldn't like you living or talking or visiting. She is lashing out so you can see how much it bothers her. If there was trouble before with this man then most likely it will happen again. As for buying her everything and taking her places, it comes with mother-hood. My husband and I went to a motel on Valentines day to have fun together, but I just couldn't leave my 2 year old behind. We took her and changed plans a little but it was much better than worrying about what she was doing at grandma's house! Tell your daughter you want to sit down and talk like adults as you both are. Ask her what she would like to see in your lives? Ask her to tell you without screaming what is so bad about the stalker that upsets her so much. I don't know if you feel the same but I would rather please my child than myself or a man anytime!! Don't worry about the men, worry about your daughter, she's yours forever and having her hate you forever isn't going to get you through life any easier.COMPRIMISE. Don't bring up all the things you bought for her or places you've taken her you're a mother that's what your for!! Maybe she needs to get her own house anyway. She is 23. Help her out as much as you can because it could be your last moment to say you love her, cherish it!

[raggedmom]

She already moved out while I was gone. She is angry because I lied to her. I visited him before 8 months ago and said I wouldn't again. It gets me out of town and I have a good time. Although she is right, he thinks he owns me and doesn't know that I see other people while I am here.
I see now for myself and peace of mind and hers that this would never work. I betrayed her trust. She broke into my email unbeknownst to me, my older dghtr told me. THAT is wrong! She would disown me if I had done that to her. I shouldn't need her approval for things. She does try to run my life.
I will try to talk to her, but she won't now. I may write her a note.

[Ren6]

Yes, thanks for advice. I am going. I went for a year after the abusive marriage, he went to prison and I had not contact w/him. The state paid for the counseling, that was 9 yrs ago. Funny, I have met w/him recently and he thinks it is wrong what he did to us, but has no idea the aftermath and emotional trauma his 4 yrs of abuse caused us both. He says he is in prison ministry, but still not very remorseful(if any). People rarely change.
I am going to ask my daughter. My oldest stays in touch w/her, even though she told her since she knew the truth about where I was going and didn't tell her, that she cut off contact w/her and told her she wasnt her sister, but changed her mind later that next day.
My daughter takes and judges, but doesn't really care about me as a person for years. She is so spoiled and self righteous. my oldest says it is all my fault that she is the way she is. I ask, why not also due to her dad not being involved in her life, my daughter(oldest) says no that has nothing to do with it. He cheated on me with his secretary, my best friend, but they have remained together this whole 20 yrs. I have dated many different men. I lose interest and need too much attention. I hope I can get help. I fear it is too late for my daughter. She has treated me disrespectfully for years, since she was a teen, my dad used to comment prior to his death. she is so stubborn that I think she is done for now with me. I have often thought, when I am sick and need care(like my mom does now after a stroke) would she care for me? I doubt it, although she is being good w/my mom now. We have a love/hate relationship.
My daughter says I live thru her and her accomplishments, when I try to get my own life, she runs that too. She doesnt like hardly anyone I date.
I was going to write her a letter when she returns from her trip, my oldest said to wait and to let her calm down first. Your thoughts?

I would let things simmer down a bit, and ask if she is willing to see a counselor with you. Perhaps she needs to air why she disapproves of all your dates, and you need to air her abusive attitiude towards you.

Clearly, there are a lot of issues at play here. You can only do your best, which is to try to mend and maintain a relationship with your daughter.

Don't worry about who will care for you when you're older... live your life now. Hopefully, you will find the self-esteem necessary to find a nice guy. You really need to work through some of this stuff... don't take for granted that you will always need unlimited amounts of attention, or grow tired of men. You may find a very nice person who will appreciate you for who you are.

Counseling... try it with your daughter, or if she won't go, try it yourself again.

Take care...

[Jake2008]

You've been married 4 times, one was abusive, you've dated a lot, lied to your daughter, and rekindled a relationship with a stalker.

I think I'd be very upset if I were your daughter too.

Maybe she was waiting for a settled life with you, and you spent so much money on material things to appease your guilt, that you missed the damage that you've done.

I don't know how much a person can be expected to tolerate in a relationship, whether it is a parent, wife, husband, sibling, friend, etc. That you have given her stuff, does not make up for the lifestyle you chose, that she was obligated to live with.

It would have been extremely difficult to get used to a mother who went through 4 marriages. Imagine having to accept a new man/father figure in your life, only to have that relationship end too. Then to find out that the stalker is back in the picture is perhaps the last straw.

She is old enough to live her life without drama, if she chooses to. Maybe your relationship with her will eventually evolve into a relationship again, but she does not 'owe' you one.

Imagine if it were her, that had lived your life for the past 21 years. Walk a mile in her shoes and you will see a different perspective.

As to counselling, I think it would really be a good idea for you for two reasons. One is to understand why your daughter is the way she is, and learn to accept her decisions as an adult, and two, why you are still making choices that you expect others to accept, and can't understand why they don't.

[raggedmom]

To an extent I agree w/you, it is your opinion with info provided.
I have not just sacrificed w/.monetary things. I have dropped everything I have done, left relationships due to my daughter as well. She has been my everything.
I made a poor choice in thinking the stalker had changed. He hasn't done anything strange. The bizarre things he did was 4 yrs ago. As mentioned she wasn't living with me during this time, she lived in college.
Her dad hasn't done much for her. She lived w.me and the older two got into all kinds of trouble at their dad's. They returned here to me(where they live now, one with me and the other nearby.)
My daughter was 3 when her dad left us, and began to be involved with my best friend, his secretary. I didn't leave, he did. You can't change the past. I have apologized numerous times. My daughter is an adult now. It would be advantageous for us both to return to counseling. I have been instrumental in my daughter's acting and theatre life. We directed together and I go to the school she teaches at and help her too. It is almost like she is in control of my life and guilts me into things. She had no right to break into my email. She did that to her best friend too. I think I deserve a life now, and shouldn't need her permission or interference.
I want my daughter to be happy. I don't think it is necessary to judge me. She has always disrespected me and needs to work on that.
I haven't been remarried since my div 9 yrs ago. Am I expected to be alone, not date? She is 23 yrs old. I understand that she is upset because I didn't tell her where I was, but I have talked about the whole thing repeatedly and she didn't want to hear it.
I have learned my lesson. NOTHING is worth losing your daughter over. We have an unhealthy relationship. I can no longer be at her beckon call either. Forgiveness and mercy, understanding is needed here.
I will continue to pray and I am going to counseling again. I hope she will join me or go on her own. It is a mess and very hurtful. I would do anything to take her pain and hurt away.
But, you have NO idea how ,much love and support I have given my daughter. I raised her on my own with no help, and it hasn't been easy. I supported all three of them, their dad hasn't supported me in any way.
All I can say is, it is sad, very very sad...

[raggedmom]

REN6, You must be an experienced counselor, as you give very sound advice. Thank you... We are really hurting here...

[Jake2008]

If the relationship is so unhealthy as you say, and considering your daughter is 23 years old, an adult, and successful (I presume she can support herself), I don't understand why you both cannot live your own lives.

It's like you invite her or allow her the same status as a husband, or mother to you. You seek her understanding and forgiveness, but I have to ask you why. Why should you be in a position to explain yourself to your daughter in the first place, and why have you allowed her to run your life in that way.

I am not saying that you haven't contributed to her feeling responsible for your well being. When you allow an adult child to be an equal 'partner' instead of an independent person, it forms an unhealthy bond. She feels responsible for you (ie the stalker), you feel responsible for explaining yourself.

You don't have to answer to your daughter, or anybody else for that matter. She does not have to answer to you either. You both need counselling as I said, not to mend the existing relationship, but to move on and establish a line in the sand, allowing you both to live your own lives.

As to counselling, I think it would really be a good idea for you for two reasons. One is to understand why your daughter is the way she is, and learn to accept her decisions as an adult, and two, why you are still making choices that you expect others to accept, and can't understand why they don't.

When I said the above, that is really not a knock against you, or something you need to defend. I realize you are hurting, and you will continue to hurt because you have lost your footing with her.

Instead of looking at this as a negative situation, turn it around and take this opportunity in counselling to learn how to be independent, strong, and in control of just one life- yours. Learn not to allow other's (your daughter) opinions, actions, and attitudes ruin your plans, and decisions.

She on the other hand, needs to learn the same thing. She cannot judge anyone but herself, and she too has to take responsibility for her own life, without judging you.

If you allow her the privilege of being so intertwined in your life, neither of you will have independence from each other. To go to counselling to learn how to draw that line in the sand will be good for both of you, but if she won't go, I really hope that you do.

I suspect that you are somewhere in your 40's, and you have a lot of living to do. To break this bond, and re-establish mutual respect within boundaries, will be a good thing for you.

I do appreciate how you are hurting. I have two 'kids' in their 20's, and it is hard to let them go, and it is hard to encourage them to be independent, but to be healthy adults they have to live their own lives.

I don't mean to be harsh, but your happiness and your future are on the line here. You are certainly entitled to privacy and to make decisions based on what you want to do. You do not need your daughter's permission to see any man you choose, or do anything you want to do. Part of the problem I think, is that you do think you need her in that capacity.

If she has 'issues' with her upbringing, that is separate to the issue of your life now. We all have issues with our childhoods don't we? But should that be an excuse to be smothered, or allow ourselves to be smothered, because we are guilty to some degree?

[raggedmom]

I can't force my daughter to see things clearly and see her part in this disaster. I made a decision and knew that it would one day fly in my face. I made a decision to go and enjoy myself out of town for 2 days. Now she doesn't live with me, so won't know when I am gone. I can and will make my own mistakes.
My oldest blames me for everything, the way my dghtr has turned out. I also believe that their dad not being involved in her life affects her view of men.
I wish I could erase the past and poor decisions I have made. It isn't easy being a single parent. My ex never backs me on anything.
I thank you for your advice. I am 51 by the way ;) I am not at a loss for dates or men who fall for me. The problem, I don't trust men and can not allow myself to love. I need counseling to feel worthy of love.
I can't force her to talk to me. I was waiting until a little time goes by and write her a note.
I can't be blamed for everything. It was a poor choice to think the guy had changed. I don't love him and don't want to be with him anyway. I just wanted to get away and relax.
My mom is angry with her for being so disrespectful, esp considering I revolve my world around her. We are having family events and my dghtr wants nothing to do with me.
This is all so upsetting and I have been extremely depressed.
Thanks for your counsel. ;):eek:

[Jake2008]

I think with maturity, she will eventually understand, somewhat, what it means to do your best, and still make mistakes. You do the best you can at the time; somebody said that to me once, and it makes sense today too.

To look back and keep torturing yourself, isn't going to give you the freedom to really enjoy your life without that emotional baggage. It is liberating to really free yourself, and realize that all you can do is go forward, and refuse to keep visiting times that cannot be changed.

I realized that about friendships too. It was always me being the one 'doing' and 'giving', and friends that I had had for years (that I never felt really good about being around- should have been a clue), counted on me, and the friendships were unbalanced. When you think about that, balance, then you realize that party 'a' has to come down a bit on the teeter-totter, and party 'b', needs to rise up a bit.

When that doesn't happen, your needs for friendship and companionship are not being met, so what's the point. It is liberating as I said, to make choices to be with people who are positive and happy, and not dragging their messes into your daily life, that you have not, and will never, be able to fix.

I write a lot, and it is cheap, effective therapy lol It is amazing that you can feel upset and depressed and not quite put your finger on it. But when you 'process' it, and write it all out, you will be amazed at what you see on paper. I have done that many times for different circumstances, and it is the only way that I can put these things that I cannot let go, to rest. I cry my eyes out, drink tons of coffee, and keep going as long as it takes.

You may find this helpful during quiet times where you feel the need to reflect and understand things. Not to mention, it really helps with the guilt too.

Hold your head high, you are a good person who's made mistakes, just like the rest of us. Find ways to let go of the past and enjoy your life every chance you get.

Don't let anybody hold you back.

[raggedmom]

Wow, am I hurting! My oldest talked to my youngest and she said she needs a sister to rely on, not someone to lecture her. My oldest tells us both what she thinks we do wrong, she minces no words, whether others agree or not. Is she always right, NO.
My dghtr says I never apologized(I was advised here, by my family etc) to wait a bit until the storm calms. Today I wrote to her. I told her I was sorry, that I wanted counseling and would she agree.I told her we are mother and daughter and I am deeply hurt that she walks away, says she hates me and disowns me. I told her it was wrong to break into my email. That God commands us to forgive and love and respect our parents. I told her it was immature and childish to break relationships and friendships off when people don't do things her way. She is eing too self righteous. I told her that our parameters need to change, to mother and daughter. I also commented that I have been at her beckon call, monetarily and in all ways supported her, dropping everything for her and that she takes me for granted. I told her I am so sorry she is hurting and that I lied to her, lying is never right. I tried to tell her and she screams.
Well, we shall see what happens.
Today, my oldest tells me the people she moved in with are her family. She has known them two years, the lady has cheated on her hb and he on her. Now she is pregnant and has a toddler. Another man also rents a room. I don't know the people. They are 35 yrs old. My dghtr is 23. She doesn't tell me where she lives. She took me off Facebook. She would spend the night elsewhere and not tell me where she was, yet she runs my life. Anyway, she says to my daughter, they are my family now. They have been better to me than my family. I am done with you and mom, you won't hear from me.
Wow, what can I do?
I told her I hope she knows she was deceptive in breaking into my mail and that I hope she is sorry. That I am hurting terribly and that I love her, and will always be there for her. I told her it isn't normal to break off relationships when people disappoint you, you work on them, that is the mature, loving thing to do.
She also mentioned that I shouldn't have broken up with the last guy, that I have had good guys and choose the bad ones who hurt me. She was devastated, I understand that. But, I have to make my own decisions. This is a mess and I am getting extremely depressed. I feel helpless...

[Jake2008]

You have to stop torturing yourself.

If our children and their words and actions as adults is disrespectful, seriously one-sided, argumentative, controlling and self-centered, why on earth do you put so much stock in it.

Because they are your children is not an excuse to accept this behaviour. All of you are adults now, and should be living independent lives, at least as far as your private lives go.

What you continue to teach your 23 year old is that you do not have the final say in anything you choose to do or say in your own life. You are apologizing to her for what 'wrongs' you have done, and she keeps hurting you, and you keep allowing it.

If you were to go one week, just one week, in allowing yourself NOT to be caught up in this drama, and putting a stop to all the conversations, that would send a clear message that you aren't going to play the blame game anymore.

While you love her, the more you feed into your need to have a normal relationship, the more authority you give her to trash you and your life.

If she were 14 I'd say she's going through teenage angst, like they all do.

But, she is a 23 year old woman, and you are a 50 year old woman, and both of you need to bury the past, and get on living your lives. She knows you will always be there for her as you've said, and so that gives her permission to treat you the way she does, because no matter what you will bail her out.

Time to put some age appropriate conditions to this relationship, starting with you. Decide that you don't need to coddle, beg, compromise, plead or take any further emotional hits.

What will happen if you don't take your life back- another 10 years of the same?

[raggedmom]

True, so true. Thanks for the advice.
My oldest dghtr says no one knows the hurt you have caused my youngest though and you are responsible for why she turned out this way. You tell her the guy is crazy, yet get lonely and weak and want to go back to him, THAT isn't normal. She may be right.
She called her sis back and apologized, saying she was over emotional and now wants to celebrate her birthday with her this week.
We all realize this stuff, dramatics, wailing, sobbing, going ballistic when she has PMS.This isn't normal. Her sis had it also, but had a child and doesn't anymore.
Now my dghtr is thinking of going w/my sis, dghtr and I to Vegas, as we had planned a month ago. I am still coddling her and allowing her to think she can run my life.
Her poor older sis is in the middle of this nonsense. I am SO stressed out.
If she think those people will be there for her when she rants and raves while PMS's and putting her self righteous standards on them, she is kidding herself and needs to grow up.
Thanks for the advice... ;)

[raggedmom]

It is tough to have your daughter have zero respect for you.
I got a return letter tonight. My daughter says you have lied to me my whole life. You have done things for me to cover up for what was going on, and I am not stupid. I am od enough now to see the dysfunction. I have tried protecting you all my life, seeing men over and over do horrible things to you. It is like sitting in a house on fire and refusing to leave.
She said I am leading a double life, seeing a guy she likes and talking to the bad guy, that I spoke of so harshly, and that is some of the reason that she hates him. I explained(or tried to) that the guy she likes breaks up w/me all the time. I didn't see the bad guy she hates for 8 months. Although I talked to him on and off. I told both guys I was still talking to the other. I tried being honest.
I thought it was time to take a stand and do my own thinking. So, went to see him again. Then she went beserk and hateful. Well, I shouldn't have gotten involved in his tangled web, because he is horrid and sick and I tried being nice, because he does a lot for me. But, we have never gotten along and I don't trust him. It would never work. I know that. I am done.
My daughter said she doesn't trust me and she refuses to be around such unhealthy behavior, that is destructive, She said she loves me, but can't stand for me to be so weak and not love myself as much as she does. She is pretty mature in some ways.
I told her there still have to be parameters, and more respect.
She did apologize for breaking into my mail. She though I was a better person, and shouldn't have talked to both guys. I trust no mean and have to get hekp for that.
So basically she doesn't respect me and I haven't told her the truth about things.
I have a hard time being faithful and really allowing myself to love men.
My parents had a very dysfunctional marriage. My dad was a recovering alcoholic. He loved us immensely, yet was weak and hated confrontation. My mom ran the show. My mom was a rageaholic, and was abusive to me. She gave up school and had me at 16. She resented me and was too young to handle me. She resented my dad and I being so close. We were involved in music together. My mom had a stroke and we all take care of her now around the clock. I have forgiven her and love her.
I have lost my daughter's respect and that is a very sad thing and irrevocable. I told her I refused to be disrespected anymore, I did the best I could and I asked her to forgive me. She said if I ever spoke to the guy again, she wanted nothing to do with me.
I told her I am going to counseling again and she should try it.
She has hidden a lot from me too, her sis tells me things she does. Kissing lots of guys at bars,when drunk, having a guy being semi-intimate here when I was gone. Throwing up in the front yard drunk several times. She professes to be such a great Christian.
My oldest loves telling me that it is my fault my daughter is the way she is. Her dad also endorses that. Even though, he has had little to do with her in her life.
She says she doesn't trust me and can't rely on me, that I was leading a double life. Telling me he was crazy and then talking to him and seeing him. I have a lot to think about. I have a lot of remorse and need to do some serious changing. I am under so much stress with my lazy, schizophrenic son I took in again(he is 29) and my daughter, work, my grandson, my mothers health condition and care, financial loss. Sometimes it is too much. I like to date and like being single. I try to lead a Christian life. I have some values and standards. Because I didn't get remarried and stay with one man I am sure has been tough on my daughter. I am a mess.
Trying to be an adult and handling my daughters constant judging is tough on me.

[raggedmom]

Well, new problem, diff situation.
My dghtr moved out abruptly while I was gone visiting this guy. Slowly we mended a little.
That was 6 months ago. New episode. She has had problems with her best friends and sev others. She is judgemental and hypocritical. My dghtr borrows $, when I ask when she is paying it back, she yells,"That is why I hate being around you, you repeat yourself."
She refuses to go out when I drink, she doesn't think I should. My oldest went out w/ a bunch of us for a friend my ages birthday.My oldest goes out w/me all the time. I told my dghtr I wouldn't hang out w/her or her friends.She said, promise you will leave early, and not drink a lot." I said OK. Well, unfortunately I did and a young guy hit on me and she hated it. We were all having fun , singing kareoke, I compliment my dghtrs, they both are singers. My dghtr left, and then took all her stuff from my house, drove home an hr after drinking and hasn't really spoken to me since.My older dghtr drank too much and she still talks to her, in fact she spent the whole week at her house. My youngest professes to be a Christian, yet she parties and gets drunk occasionally and it is OK for her. I never partied, drank, until my kids were raised. I have never used drugs, nor do I drink often. I figure my kids are raised, I should be able to do what I want to.
I have sacrificed, dropped everything for my dghtr, take her on trips, do everything for her. I raised her basically as a spoiled, only child, as her older sis and bro went to live w/their dad when teens.
My older dghtr doesn't care what her sis thinks, or if she is judged. She think it is my fault my youngest is like this. She is so opinionated. She has broken off friendships with many and says hateful things.
Anyway, I told her I was sorry and that I loved her and to come to thxgiving. She finally relented and came, hardly spoke to me. She hasn't spoken to me since.
I was so looking forward to her visit, as she has only stayed her 3 times since the episode w/the guy 6 months ago. She hates me again. I apologized, but am tired of her resenting me so much and trying to run my life and cut me off. She has always been disrespectful, unappreciative, and takes my $ constantly. I am going to NY in 2 weeks w/both my dghtrs, and she owes me $, I don't want to bring it up. I seem to disappoint her in everything I do. When is it my time to enjoy my life and not have to answer to her? She can be so hateful and mean. She claims she is bi polar now. How do I set boundaries, everyone had a good time but her that night. She is 23, my oldest 28 and I am 52. My friends who I spent time w/at the birthday party is 55. Everyone drank, had fun, but my dghtr who made a scene and now hates me. My dghtr has never been in a serious relationship, is beautiful, successful teachers, and overweight. I try to encourage her and support everything she does. I don't say anything about her weight. I love her so much. She says I bring up her bi polar episodes. I said I was sorry I embarrassed her. How can I mend things? Stay away? Set boundaries? She is rude, mean and really hasn't liked me for a long time. She is selfish and only thinks of herself. She is an actress and very dramatic in all things.I hope I can salvage things. She is always telling me who to talk to, date, what to wear, she criticizes me constantly. She has broken up sev relationships. I really don't think I did anything so horrible. Help!

[Jake2008]

It seems that things have returned to pretty much where they were, sadly. Just thinking of my mother, and I never would have had the nerve to tell her who to date, how to behave, what to wear. I would have had my ears boxed. It strikes me so odd that she would keep crossing those lines without thinking twice about it.

The relationships that continue to invade your privacy, upset your life, errode your confidence, and trample on yourself esteem and quality of life is really so obviously wrong, and harmful to you in so many ways.

I wonder too if standing your ground is just too much for you to handle right now. It's easy to say that you need to take charge, and set boundaries, but you have to live with the consequences of that, and I can see where giving in is easier than planning long term changes right now. It has taken a long time for things to get this bad, and it won't change for the good overnight, nor will it happen if you do not have the tools and the mindset to help you. It is an enormous task, and I don't envy you.

I agree with much of what you say. How you characterize your daughter(s), and the obvious crossing of many boundaries that never should have been crossed. There are no predictable changes in site, without some hard work ahead. That has to start with you.

Because this involves so much, and has gone on so long, I would really like to see you get yourself into counselling first. I wouldn't even tell your daughters you are going. Make this the first decision that isn't up for discussion and/or ridicule. Invest at least six sessions with a counsellor skilled in cognitive behavioural therapy, CBT, if you can. This type of therapy is specifically geared to identifying problems, learning how to change thinking and behaviours, and effectively manage your life in more productive ways. This can be a godsend in helping you see that you can take charge, make changes, and stop going down the same destructive path over and over again. It's all about change, and my opinion is that it has to start with you.

I worry that how things are for you now, without any changes, will only get worse, and you will start to physically destroy yourself under this stress. You know you deserve better. In all honesty, I really think things have gone too far for an overnight fix. You need therapy to turn your life around. I repeat- your life. That is the only one you have, and the only one you have any control over.

Your happiness has to start with you. Just care for yourself right now, and really set your mind to go in a different direction. You just don't yet have the tools to do so, but when you do, it will all be worthwhile.

I hope you'll keep posting as things progress.

[raggedmom]

My 23 yr old dghtr ruined another holiday. My dghtr throws the guilt trip, div parent card again. I raised her, my older two now 28 and 29 lived w/their Dad at age 13. We all get along well now. My oldest and I are best friends and she works for me. She thinks my youngest and I have a sick relationship.
I've been the most drop everything, sacrificial Mom, for all my kids, esp my youngest. She is successful, teaches, grad from college, is beautiful, yet overweight. She has never had a real relationship w/man. She abruptly ends many friendships if she judges them to be out of line, drinks too much, parties, doesn't like their bfriends, etc. She is a Christian, yet herself smokes and gets drunk, it is all in HER timing.
She's gotten involved in ending several relationships for me. I drop everything for her. I take her on trips throughout yr,paid for private Christian schol, buy her clothing, dorm provisions, going out to eat. She's so selfish and spoiled. My oldest says that's my fault too.When she asks for $ and tells me she will pay it back on certain date,she doesn't. She yells , "This is why I hate being around you, you repeat yourself. I already told you I will give it to you when I can."
She lived here for a yr after college and refused to give me rent $. I am a single parent.
She got so angry that I was seeing a man she hates, that she moved out while I was out of town. She broke into my email and found out. She said "You are not my Mom, I don't respect you,you lied to me, I hate you and I will never speak to you." I constantly apologize. I told her I can't do things the way she wants. I am 52,educated,active, attractive and do not want to be alone forever.
This time on Thsgiving, we went out the night before. My friend(54) and her family were meeting at a place my dghtr's bff(one she didn't speak to for months also in the past). She told me she hates seeing me drink, not to get drunk or hang out w/her friends. I said OK.
I hung out with my friends, hers didn't even show up. My older dghtr drank, everyone did, we all had a blast, except her(23).She left she got so angry, took all her things at my house and drove an hr home(she had a couple drinks). She refuses to talk to me. She said she wasn't going to Thxgiving. We all begged her to go, she relented, I apologized again. I said I was just having fun. Sorry I embarrassed her.
She constantly brings up the past that Ive been married too many times, etc. I did the best I could. Never drank or partied at all while my kids growing up. I understand some of what she is saying. She doesn't mind if her sis does same things. Should I let her run my life? She says she is bi polar now and I bring up her episodes. I told her again today, I cried and spent all w/e after Thxgiving alone crying. I thought it would be so nice to spend time w/her during holiday. She is replacing my older dghtr w/me it seems. How do I set boundaries? Is it OK for her to judge everyone and cut ties w/people so abruptly? She says hateful things to people. She doesn't apologize. Should I just leave her alone, let her live her life? It hurts so bad. We used to do everything together and were very close. She is not too close to her Dad.I think at my age I should be able to enjoy myself and not try to please her. Her judgement teliling me how to dress, who to date, etc. is too much. I am hurt and confused.

[basketballlover]

listen for a 23 year old daughter, you are doing way too much for her. You shouldn't be paying her. And if she promises to pay, make absolutely sure she does. She won't survive in the real world if she is under the impression that mom will bail her out. She has to learn the value of money, learn to spend it wisely and not expect family members to pick up her slack. Don't let the guilt trip thing get to you. She is apparently playing on your emotions and its working. You are the mother and she is the daughter. You know better than she does. I imagine that you don't want to see her sink to the ground but if you pick her up that is what you'll be doing for the rest of your life. And if she is meddling in your relationships tell her to back off. You have slaved away for 23 years, its time for you to have her let go and live your life.

[raggedmom]

I appreciate your comments. She says when she has gone out with me the last few times I have drank too much. She gets mad because young guys hit on me. Her not speaking to me, yet telling her sister everything hurts me, because I am w/my oldest a lot. I think secretly she resents that I doo too much for her sis. She chose to live w/her Dad and he was broke and abusive. We all get along OK now though. My oldest says she will grow up and appreciate me as she does. I can't take the blame for everything wrong in her life, I am so tired of that. I can understand she doesn't like seeing her mother drink too much. It always seems to be something I am doing wrong. She just really doesn't like me, it hurts. She resents me.