Sojournersoul · M
Does not make you selfish at all. My dad treated my kids way better than me, I understand both sides.
CharityRae · 36-40, F
@Sojournersoul Thanks, that really means a lot.
Sojournersoul · M
@CharityRae you are very welcome.
RosaMarie · 46-50, F
Boundaries don't make you selfish. It's actually perfectly OK to tell her that, while you appreciate how hard all that was, that you aren't a therapist. As often as she wants to talk about it, it's probably a good idea that she does see one. Then, at least, it's out in the open. And if she doesn't see one and keeps bringing it up, just gently suggest she talks to a professional about it.
CharityRae · 36-40, F
@RosaMarie Thank you, that’s really good advice. I definitely need to remember it’s OK to set boundaries while still being supportive.
RosaMarie · 46-50, F
@CharityRae That's exactly it.
greensnacks · F
No it doesn't make you selfish. She is allowed to complain but you're also allowed to tell her that you don't want to listen her complain nonstop, especially if she does nothing to fix whatever is that impacted her from him.
And you're right on the therapist part.
People are complex creatures.
You can hold on to your fond memories of him while understanding that he was also a flawed individual who hurt her. Both truths can coexist, and it's okay for you to want her to acknowledge that complexity without dwelling on the negative continually. Healing involves facing the truth, not ignoring it.
And you're right on the therapist part.
People are complex creatures.
You can hold on to your fond memories of him while understanding that he was also a flawed individual who hurt her. Both truths can coexist, and it's okay for you to want her to acknowledge that complexity without dwelling on the negative continually. Healing involves facing the truth, not ignoring it.
CharityRae · 36-40, F
@greensnacks Thanks, that makes a lot of sense and helps me put things in perspective.
JesseInTX · 51-55, M
So my parents were raised by fathers who fought in WWII. Mom’s dad was a cavalry scout turned tank driver. Dad’s father was a B-17 pilot. They spent years in combat killing Germans. They came home and were expected to just assimilate back into society as if nothing ever happened. That isn’t possible. They watched their friends and fellow soldiers die every day. And they didn’t know if the day would be the day they would die. That’s a hard way to live when you’re 21-25 years old. My mom and dad have always said they were hard/bad parents to grow up with, but they were wonderful grandparents to me and my brothers. As mom and dad for older they realized that when they were young the affect the war took on them and why they were the way they were.
I say that to say I would imagine your parents may have been raised by Korea or Vietnam veterans. If I’m right I can lend some insight let me know. Millions of men went to fight, and didn’t come home right even though they were expected to be.
I say that to say I would imagine your parents may have been raised by Korea or Vietnam veterans. If I’m right I can lend some insight let me know. Millions of men went to fight, and didn’t come home right even though they were expected to be.
CharityRae · 36-40, F
@JesseInTX Thank you, that actually makes a lot of sense. I’d love to hear any insight you have.
GoFish ·
People can have different experiences with the same person maybe she resents how kind he was to you as well so she keeps on about it out of spite and hate and resentment towards him to how she felt about how she says he treated her differently .. she’s bitter idk if she is or isn't entitled .. sometimes people twist and exaggerate stories sometimes they don't but he’s already gone right? So what she’s doing is unkind to you. 😒
Theyitis · 36-40, M
I don’t think it’s selfish, it sounds sensible to me. She should seek therapy, just ranting about it doesn’t help anyone, and it gets irritating.
Pretzel · 70-79, M
it's not selfish to not want to hear bad things about someone that treated you badly.
maybe you can just imagine that she's talking about a stranger to you - because you really never saw that person that she's describing.
maybe you can just imagine that she's talking about a stranger to you - because you really never saw that person that she's describing.
CharityRae · 36-40, F
@Pretzel That’s a good way to look at it. thank you.
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CharityRae · 36-40, F
@jshm2 I appreciate the concern, but I don’t think it’s anyone’s place to question my mom’s mental health. I’m just sharing my experience and processing my own feelings
Teslin · M
You had good memories and you should always remember him that way.
CharityRae · 36-40, F
@Teslin Thank you. I definitely try to hold on to the good memories I have of him
Makes you human. Have you spoken with her about it?
CharityRae · 36-40, F
@OlderSometimesWiser I have tried twice.
Kypro · 46-50, M
People have different sides we don’t always see
Kevin1990 · M
People are different at times in their lives
CharityRae · 36-40, F
@Kevin1990 Very true. Timing and perspective can make a big difference. I just don’t appreciate hearing about how awful he was to her back then, he was a hero to me.
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CharityRae · 36-40, F
@1olderguy20 what does that have to do with this post?
1olderguy20 · 61-69, M
@CharityRae it sounds like your grandpa was stict w her and was curious if she carried it on
CharityRae · 36-40, F
@1olderguy20 he was mean to her, strict in a ridiculous way, very unloving and unkind to her, way different than he treated his biological daughter. My mom did tell me she told her dad when she found out she was pregnant with me that he would not be allowed around me if he treated me the way he did her or act unkind to me at all.
He spoiled me, loved me in a way that I am so grateful for, he was a very different man with his grandchildren and I’m so grateful for that.
He spoiled me, loved me in a way that I am so grateful for, he was a very different man with his grandchildren and I’m so grateful for that.
swirlie · 31-35, F
No, that only makes you 'special', but only in the eyes of your grandpa.
Being perceived as 'special' by a relative is nothing but poison. You become the "special one" as everyone else takes a backseat to your specialness and you will live to regret what the others had to listen to in your childhood.
That is why you're having a hard time figuring out what everyone else is talking about when they mention your grandpa, because you had a very different but totally poisoned relationship with him compared to the others.
Being perceived as 'special' by a relative is nothing but poison. You become the "special one" as everyone else takes a backseat to your specialness and you will live to regret what the others had to listen to in your childhood.
That is why you're having a hard time figuring out what everyone else is talking about when they mention your grandpa, because you had a very different but totally poisoned relationship with him compared to the others.
CharityRae · 36-40, F
@swirlie I’m aware my mom’s experience with him was very different from mine. That’s actually the whole point of my post..how two truths can exist at the same time.
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Convivial · 26-30, F
Rehashing old troubles without seeking a solution would be wearying...
CharityRae · 36-40, F
@Convivial Not every post needs a solution. Sometimes people just reflect.
Convivial · 26-30, F
@CharityRae true, just giving my thoughts

















