Your Hardest Family Question: My mother is self-centered
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FayeMarch 2, 2015
I have had a similar situation in my family. It took me years to understand what the Spirit was telling me but finally ended up doing exactly what you counseled in this article. I certainly wish I would have known earlier but I appreciate very much, your words of wisdom. I can love my family 'better' when I understand their limitations and not allow myself to be, for lack of a better definition, emotionally abused. I am healthier spiritually and emotionally and able to do more for them when I allow only so 'much of them'.
JenMarch 2, 2015
I have a friend who taught me to handle family members with a light and lovely attitude. Let her decide where she wants to fit in but always invite her when you want to invite. I have a similar experience with my mom and she abandoned me at a you age. (11 yrs old) I tried for years, even after I got married to get her to be a part of my life but she refused. after many years I gave up. She died this last year and I received a blessing before going to her funeral and it said to listen to what was being said about my mom. I did as the blessing said. I realized the she was bi-polar and was untreated. She was unable to connect with me all those years. Be kind and try to include her but remember your family comes first. take the best part of your mom and keep it but go easy on her.
mary janeFebruary 27, 2015
As a mother and grandmother, I see much enmity and lack of love in the writer of this complaint about her mother. In my own experience, I repented and replaced blaming and fault-finding with love. Mothers need love and deserve it. The commandment to "Honor father and mother" is true. No doubt it will take patience and much time for the writer to change her view of her mother and gradually, step by step, as you counsel, to bridle the writer's own passions and replace pride with charity, which "seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil". Heavenly Father will hear and answer prayers for your sincere needs. What do you think?
LizFebruary 27, 2015
A really great and well balanced answer, Geoff.
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