Saturday, November 28, 2009

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On Women Blog - U.S. News & World Report

Mom's a Harsh Critic? Here's What to Do

September 24, 2008 01:30 PM ET | Deborah Kotz | Permanent Link | Print

Reader Comments

I want to let you go,mom. I deserve this recovery.

It's hard not to love her. I created a fantasy of who she really was and denied that she was really hurting me despite the obvious confused expression of her love. It wasn't love, it was her saddness of herself being lived out on me and my sisters. She's a horrible woman for what she had done to me. I must now break away from the idealized image of her that I created to claim for a loving mom, and reject her in order to truly appreciate the precious life of two sweet spirited little boys that I have. But, it pains me to let her go, she is my mom. The only mom I was given. Without her, I have no mother. But with her, I continue to struggle the intense hold she has on my life, the confused sense of what a real mother should be ruled by a sad, lonely, selfish, soul that needs help. I refuse to be her excuse for not getting help due to her addictive need to abuse and control me. I reject her, and hope her internal voice leads her to a desperate need for self help and recovery, as I do for myself today.

I want to let you go,mom. I deserve this recovery.

It's hard not to love her. I created a fantasy of who she really was and denied that she was really hurting me despite the obvious confused expression of her love. It wasn't love, it was her saddness of herself being lived out on me and my sisters. She's a horrible woman for what she had done to me. I must now break away from the idealized image of her that I created to claim for a loving mom, and reject her in order to truly appreciate the precious life of two sweet spirited little boys that I have. But, it pains me to let her go, she is my mom. The only mom I was given. Without her, I have no mother. But with her, I continue to struggle the intense hold she has on my life, the confused sense of what a real mother should be ruled by a sad, lonely, selfish, soul that needs help. I refuse to be her excuse for not getting help due to her addictive need to abuse and control me. I reject her, and hope her internal voice leads her to a desperate need for self help and recovery, as I do for myself today.

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I am a man that has never thought I was good enough and lacked self confidence. I have yet to figure out why and sometimes think it was my parents since no matter what I do I feel like they can't accept me for who I am and the focus is always on my failures.

Get Another Mother

We can't choose our mothers. But we can choose where we look for nuturing. Would you go to Mc Donald's and ask for filet mignon? Not hardly. So why ask for emotional sustenance from someone who is incapable of giving it?

The solution is simple. Find another Mother. Look for someone who will celebrate your triumphs, console you in your defeats and enjoy you as you are.

Don't waste your time, energy and and spirit trying to make a connection with a Mother who is an emotional wasteland. Biology does not a Mother make. Get off the pitty pot and go out and get what you need from someone who can give to you.

Stop playing top my tragedy and start taking care of yourself.

That's what a real Mom is telling you.

Re: What about sons of narcissistic mothers?

Bob D-

I'm sorry to hear about your own experiences with your mother. It really sounds as if she has been putting you all through the ringer for years. I have one of these mothers, as well, but it's been years since I've spoken with her. I just got to the point where it was more harmful to be close to her than to mourn her loss, you know? I'm lucky in that my grandmother was more of a mother figure to me, and while definitely not perfect, much better than my own mother.

Just remember -- break the cycle and you've already gotten the best of the situation. Don't treat your children the way you were treated, and you're victorious. Know that there are more of us out here that have this in common with you than you know!

Good luck --

The Narcissistic Mom

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Good luck to the children

What about sons of narcissistic mothers?

To this day, my mother is extremely critical, at times jealous (because, as a man I have held her back in her life and career).

She and my sister sit around at family gatherings complaining about how stupid their husbands are, how all-knowing they are.

My mother got pregnant with me, got married, and had three more kids in the next five years. We constantly heard how she wished we were never born.

She went to college as an adult, got her accounting degree, and became a CPA.

Could she be happy with me when I graduated from college with my math degree, and got a good paying job? No, she was jealous that some "snot-nosed Kid" was making all that money.

I have had no contact with her since Christmas. I don't know when I will feel like enduring a visit with her.

Please do not publish my email ID.

Blame your father. He knew or should have known what kind of selfish hangups your mother had before he married and/or impregnated her.

No, this post is not a "joke". Men need some lessons on reading people before they fertilize. Men also need to lead their households. If Mama is overbearing, Daddy is not leading.

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About On Women

Deborah Kotz, senior writer for U.S. News & World Report, covers everything women care about when it comes to their health. She's often tapping out "Oprah-esque" confessions about how the latest news relates to her personally—whether it's on breast cancer, contraception or easing work-family stress. She'd love to hear your confessions too at onwomen@usnews.com. Also, you can follow Deborah on Twitter at twitter.com/debkotz2.

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