I want my mother to stop trying to discuss with me a specific relationship problem she's having. Is this unreasonable? How do I defend my request to her and not feel like a jerk?
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posted by kitcat
on May 4, 2011 -
18 answers
Conceptually, I need a way to think of my mother’s behavior so I can better understand it. I am looking for a label. Is she narcissistic? Manipulative? Histrionic? What? Please help me try to figure this out.
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posted by Francophone
on May 3, 2011 -
23 answers
When I read Cory Doctorow's "
I, Row-Boat", a character (Olivaw) says that human beings "have to be born half-gestated because its head would be so big if it waited for a full term, it would tear its mother in half." I had not heard of this viewpoint before, and am wondering where Doctorow heard of this idea. I tried sending him an e-mail, but received no response.
posted by WCityMike
on May 1, 2011 -
10 answers
My mother and I have a difficult relationship. Looking for advice about how to get through a period during which my mother, my daughter, and I are spending a lot of time together. (And, yes, there's a lot more information inside.)
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posted by anonymous
on Apr 11, 2011 -
18 answers
I am going to be away from my baby for five days. Help me know that he will be OK without me.
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posted by bq
on Feb 9, 2011 -
18 answers
How do I deal with a mother who has been in and out of an abusive relationship for years? She'll leave him for a few months, but always goes back. Can or will this ever stop? And how to I support her while not condoning her behavior?
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posted by Delfena
on Feb 6, 2011 -
9 answers
Is there anything in the Bible that can help one justify the estrangement of an abusive parent? I know that not speaking to my mother is the right thing to do, but what does the good book say?
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posted by anonymous
on Feb 2, 2011 -
22 answers
Guy trying to date a beautiful single mother don'ts filter: Young single mothers who date: how do I avoid saying something stupid or inappropriate about your x, the father of your child?
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posted by eli_d
on Dec 23, 2010 -
27 answers
How do I talk to my mother about her depression, especially when I'm trying to create better boundaries but simultaneously plan for my family's future?
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posted by Madamina
on Oct 25, 2010 -
9 answers
What advice would you give my friend to make him feel better during his (long overdue) rebellious phase against his overbearing mother? He's in his early 20s, from a Chinese-American family, and has made up his mind to stay home for financial reasons.
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posted by squirtle
on Sep 30, 2010 -
10 answers
What will happen if a man and a woman submit marriage licenses in two separate states less than a year apart? Specifically, if they get married by a judge in Washington state, then ~1 year later get married by a pastor in Wisconsin and in order to avoid having all parties involved know about the WA wedding, sign another marriage license and have it submitted to the state of WI?
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posted by anonymous
on Sep 18, 2010 -
49 answers
My sister is the mother of two young 'uns, four years and one and a half , respectively. She is harried but eminently happy! Her birthday is coming up, what would be a good present to give her?
posted by storybored
on Sep 12, 2010 -
17 answers
superly sockpuppet birds and the bees filter: i was date-raped and now i am negotiating some intense babydaddy issues in court. he has a new girlfriend and a new baby. my child is 6 and understandably pondering how this is all possible. babydaddy was not significantly present for about 5 years. i am a very much single mother and i and my parents are all that my child has known in a truly significant way...how to approach the question of origin truthfully but sensitively?
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posted by bright and shiny
on Aug 31, 2010 -
36 answers
The youngest of four siblings is the one who is responsible for taking care of their elderly mom, but things aren't really working out for either party. What can be done to ensure a happy living situation for everyone? Many more details inside . . .
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posted by fignewton
on Jul 5, 2010 -
6 answers
I'm in my late twenties, and my unhappily married parents are getting a rather acrimonious divorce. Both parents want my support, but I've sort of been mostly focusing on my father, as he is depressed, lonely (my mother has a new partner) and has to sell the family home by himself. This has caused my (formerly very close) relationship with my mother to disintegrate to the point where we are no longer on speaking terms, which has placed a lot of unwanted stress on me (I've just come out of an eight year relationship). How do I patch things up with my mother without everything getting emotional? (Long explanation inside)
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posted by Piroska
on Jun 18, 2010 -
19 answers
Mom, mère, мама, แม่, μαμά, 媽媽, maminka, mẹ, mamãe... how did so many languages naturally come up with the starting sound of
Mmmm for this word?
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posted by querty
on Jun 7, 2010 -
11 answers
My mother is depressed, and I suspect she's abusing alcohol. I'm doing the best I can, but looking for suggestions as to what I should actually be doing to help.
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posted by anonymous
on May 5, 2010 -
9 answers
So I'm thinking about family therapy. I'm a 25 year old female with a strained relationship with her mother. Has group therapy helped you sort out issues with your family?
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posted by anonymous
on Apr 27, 2010 -
9 answers
Looking for advice on how to deal with my mother, who's gotten it into her head that I should completely change my life in every way by the end of 2010 (including getting an arranged marriage.) Novella-length details inside.
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posted by anonymous
on Apr 22, 2010 -
26 answers
My mentally ill mother hired a private investigator to track me down... among other things. Please help!
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posted by anonymous
on Apr 8, 2010 -
33 answers
Help me find a non-cheesy short poem/quote/verse to put inside a Mother's Day card.
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posted by ellieBOA
on Feb 24, 2010 -
4 answers
This American Life filter - relatively recently, (maybe a rebroadcast?) heard part of story re man who assisted his mother to end her life and how he felt - I've searched their archives for
mother and for
son; can't find it. Also searched AskMefi some, too many hits. Can anyone help?
posted by judybxxx
on Feb 24, 2010 -
5 answers
Playing Driving Miss Daisy with my mom for the past 4 years, and I'm now 23. It's time for me to move on, but how, when communication is dry? Details inside.
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posted by Giggilituffin
on Feb 22, 2010 -
23 answers
Do you have any solid recommendations for a prescribing psychiatrist in Beaumont, Texas (or surrounding area)?
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posted by girlbowler
on Feb 20, 2010 -
5 answers
I am making plans to become a mother soon. Sperm donation keeps popping into mind but I am a single Christian. Can someone point me in the direction of a good sources of information from a Christian/biblical perspective for or against this.
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posted by anonymous
on Feb 8, 2010 -
28 answers
I come back to Southern California for Thanksgiving and my mom has gotten idiotic plastic surgery. Please help me cope.
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posted by anonymous
on Nov 24, 2009 -
42 answers
What's the best way to stand up to my mother about Christmas and to handle her jealousy about our better relationship with my partner's parents? She's determined to make the holiday season into a zero sum game with my partner's mother
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posted by Flitcraft
on Nov 22, 2009 -
42 answers
My parents are divorced; my father has custody of my younger brother, but is leaving the country for a few years for work. He wants me to live with and take care of my 16 year old brother until he graduates from HS. I love my brother, but I have some objections and I’m not sure how to handle this. (long explanation inside!)
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posted by anonymous
on Oct 15, 2009 -
60 answers
My bestest best friend is
right now in the hospital giving birth to her first baby! It's amazing, and I want to do absolutely everything I can to help her! ....But I'm 750 miles away. What can I do to give her my support?
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posted by Ms. Saint
on Oct 13, 2009 -
15 answers
How can I forgive my mother for losing some of my most treasured items? This may sound like a stupid/trivial problem but it's really eating away at me inside.
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posted by starpoint
on Oct 13, 2009 -
56 answers
Looking for a poem or story about a desperate mother, her many children and a visit from the angel of death?
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posted by Arbac
on Sep 15, 2009 -
1 answer
My mom sent me an email today acknowledging for the very first time (that I am aware of) that she experiences symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder. I would like to write the best response that I can to her, with some links or information about possible next steps. I don't want to screw this up, please help me help her!
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posted by anonymous
on Aug 30, 2009 -
8 answers
I'm looking for a fun, cheap, highly-visible way to welcome my mom when she arrives at the airport and make her first night and day at my new place relaxed and comfortable.
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posted by mdonley
on Jul 30, 2009 -
12 answers
What is a lesbian daughter to do, when the mode and extent of her mother's display of affection becomes "too much"?
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posted by anonymous
on May 29, 2009 -
31 answers
How can I let mom know that I need my own space for a while without sounding selfish and ungrateful? I want to stand up for myself but on the other hand, I know she struggles.
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posted by anonymous
on May 10, 2009 -
42 answers
I have an amazing, incredible mother. Really, she's awesome. This will be the first mother's day that I have the fiscal resources to show her, rather than just tell her, how much I love her. I'll be getting her flowers, that much is sure. In addition to that, I'd like to do something meaningful. My (boring) idea was make a donation to a cause in her honor. But you have more creative, but still meaningful ideas, right? :)
posted by charmston
on May 2, 2009 -
26 answers
Due to years of my mother’s mental illness, dependency on prescription medication, and wildly varying levels lying leading to all sort of trust issues, I am a 30-year old woman with a very complicated relationship with my aging mom. I feel more than a little guilt and sadness about this, and authentically would like to improve our relationship. There are, of course complications.
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posted by anonymous
on Apr 3, 2009 -
9 answers
Mom's acting weird again, currently wrt my independence in various respects. Long story.
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posted by kldickson
on Mar 31, 2009 -
67 answers
