How can I make my mom more interested in my life?

My mom is a very selfish person. Instead of having conversations about me, my husband, my siblings, etc… all she wants to talk about are the other women in town she competes with. They are all in this big race to see who can be the skinniest, best, hair, best clothes, best car, etc… It’s ridiculous.

Also, she has never been a real “mom”. I could never go to her for advice, tell her anything, or tell her my problems. She would always make fun of me or my situation and then tell all my relatives. She even used to make fun of me when I was going through puberty. Really make fun of me, like a classmate or bully.

Part of me thinks it’s because she really has no education, no knowledge of the world, or any sort of culture. She balks at these things and has to be forced or bribed into doing things like going to plays or shows. She’s just involved in her tiny little world where everything she does is great, and everything others do is horrible.

The thing I’m most worried about is becoming pregnant and having to tell her. My husband and I have been trying for 6 months, and she has repeatedly told me that a child isn’t right for me, and that a baby would be too stressful for me. None of these things are true. She even interrupts and tells relatives (when they ask about my husband and I having kids) that “a baby is the last thing she needs”– before I can even answer.

I’ve tried to ignore her talk like this, and the obsession with the other women in town, but she is incessant. I feel like she is just trying to make her self feel better, but she has nothing to have low self esteem about. I’m just really concerned that she isn’t going to be supportive or like it if and when I get pregnant. I want her to be interested in me, but I don’t know if she’s capable. Advice would be appreciated.

Answer #1

Listen to them… the one thing in the world you cannot do is change your mother. You need to learn something… in one ear and out the other. Just nod, say yes mom, and then forget about it. Her lack of whatever has nothing to do with you. You cannot fill it, and you shouldnt have to. It is too bad that she has missed out on her daughter and that she will miss out on her grandchild/children too… she may change, but you need to accept that it may never happen. Send her little updates but dont expect anything… my dad’s fav phrase in the world is, if you dont expect anything then you cant be disappointed (an addition to that is, anything that then happens is a pleasant surprise)…

Answer #2

As hard and as painful as this may be to do…accept her, and accept your relationship with her…as is. I have two friends, both in their fifties STILL trying to get what they need from their mothers…what a waste of time and tears over many many years

Why not simply be grateful that even tho she raised you, you didn’t turn out shallow and self-centered…and pat on the back and a BIG hoorah for you!!!…I’m sure she is blind to her defects of charactor and pointing them out to her, won’t change anything. Lower your expectations…she’s never been there for you before, or approved of what you were wanting or doing…that isn’t going to change.

Do as ichibanarky says…live your own life…have a baby and be the mother of YOUR dreams…You’ve already shown me that you are perfectly capable of living your life AS AN EXAMPLE, rather then FROM an example…you go girl!

p

Answer #3

You can’t change her…she is who she is. Your mother is obviously overcompensating for something missing in her life, and she won’t stop until she fulfills her need.

Instead of trying to make her different, change your own perspective of things. Become a great mother and prove to her that you’re capable, but don’t let her talk you down.

Live your own life - she raised you, her part is done.

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