What would make a parent lie about their childhood to their own children? [I Am Depressed]

Our mother has always told us that she was from a perfect family. She would use her own example to shame Us for getting into fights with one another, or not being tidy enough or organized enough. A lot of it was out of our hands as all of us lived in one room without any storage space.
But as we grew older we started to see the cracks in her story. She still lies. What's wrong with saying you're not perfect?

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DeWayfarer · 61-69, M

My own mother told me a secret once. And asked me not to ever tell my oldest half sister.

My oldest half sister is dead now. She never knew she was born out of wedlock.

Embarrassment can do strange things. This was long before I was ostracized from the family which happened after mom's death.

I never said anything to anyone in the family about this. Nor would any in the family have believed it if I had.

bijouxbroussard · F

@DeWayfarer She obviously knew she could trust you above all others with what would’ve been a life-altering revelation had your sister known.

DeWayfarer · 61-69, M

@bijouxbroussard yet she was still too embarrassed to bring it up front.

Part of the reason why I was ostracized was because I was thought to not be trustworthy of her care. Yet the same half sister who said that, would do nothing at all. Not even visit let alone anything else.

Mom gave up once she was put into a convalescent home. She pleaded to be taken out yet the rest of the family thought I couldn't take care of her, despite me having done the same for my own father years before.

She was strong enough to have lasted much longer at home. Maybe not a lot yet far more comfortably. 😢