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Heartbroken in Michigan

(33 Posts)
NanaLane2021 Sat 17-Jul-21 22:37:49

What do you do when your adult daughter takes you for granted? Hurts your feelings and embarrasses you in front of others.

Lolo81 Sun 18-Jul-21 00:49:44

OP you are obviously hurting, and I can see you adore your GD and DD.

I would also say that based on some of your replies there is still a lot of (understandable) bitterness towards your ex. Unfortunately he’s still your DD’s father and your GD’s grandfather - and the very fact he was invited to this event means they want to have some sort of relationship with him, which your own bitterness and disdain really shouldn’t affect. It’s horrible and difficult because you see a lot of his flaws having being on the receiving end of his bad behaviour, however they maybe haven’t had the same experience as you with him. With that in mind it’s not really fair to put your GD in the position of handling yours or his emotions around this conflict.

To unravel this mess of emotions, maybe try and decide what you want moving forward? So do you want to continue to have this level of involvement with your GD? How will you navigate future dance meets? It’s obvious that based on this last experience that you and the ex can’t co-exist (regardless of whose fault that is) and telling your GD/DD that it’s all his fault when you have greater access to them may be counter productive in the long run, so perhaps follow your initial instinct to avoid him? You can’t change what’s happened, but you can have a think about how you’d like to handle things in the future.

I’d also echo others encouraging you to find interests outside of your DD/GD. Your GD will grow up and pursue her own life, you will fall down the pecking order in her life (as you should as she grows up and spreads her wings) - what will you do then? It’s not healthy to have your emotional stability and happiness revolve around someone else.

NanaLane2021 Sun 18-Jul-21 02:46:22

I am new to this site. In fact, I joined today. All of you have been a blessing to me. I am feeling much better. This last week has been toxic. I had to get out of my body, and you all are helping that. THANK YOU!!
I am going seek some therapy. I am 68 yrs old. So, I don't have a lot of time and who knows how long really. I need to get my own LIFE and not make it all about the kids. They will survive. They saw me do it.
I will be available but I am going to make plans for myself. Go see my sisters in NJ and my best friend who just invited me the other day to come to Maryland for she bought a condo. If I make plans ans my daughter calls and says, oh mom can you do ___. I will say sorry I made plans or I am going to to NJ so you will need to get someone else to help her. I don't want to just cut her off and I do want to be there for my granddaughter.
How does that sound?

NanaLane2021 Sun 18-Jul-21 02:49:03

My granddaughter is 12 years old. I would like to find out from my daughter why she was so afraid to come by me down there. I really feel I was made to lookik like the problem. And, it hurt that I was made to feel like I was in the way for them. I guess the ex won there. He is resentful towards me and he wanted me to feel resent...

NanaLane2021 Sun 18-Jul-21 03:06:06

My ex has been out of state for 15 years. I do see him. I would have a co parent relationship but his gf and he is still bitter that I was the one who actually left. I fine with all that.
I want my kids to have a good relationship with him. He is their father and they love him as they love me too. He has made his own life sailing and being on the beach etc.
I knew being somewhere in the same place would be uncomfortable, but I was willing to get along as adults and as parents to our children that we share. He wasn't going to have any of that. He wanted to hurt me. I wanted to be the bigger persons and role model for both of them but he wasn't going to have that....just the fact that he wouldn't even go pass me as we were sitting in a row....he in the middle with at least 6 people between us and me at the end of the row...and would rather climb over his chair to avoid passing me seems sooo immature and weird.
I am going to talk to a therapist so not to put all this on fam. and lay low. If she needs my help...I will do so. I would like to talk to my daughter about this whole thing. I am not sure if she will want that...but I want to let her know that it wasn't cool to put my GD too in the middle.
I am disgusted that my ex manipulated both of them to get to me.
You have given me good advice and ideas to contemplate. All of you are so nice to listen and take the time to respond.
This has been a really good experience for me. Sometimes we just need to hear if what we are feeling are justifiable.

NanaLane2021 Sun 18-Jul-21 03:24:58

I meant that I don't ever see him. So sorry for my errors.
This was the first time I have been in his vicinity in all those years. I am over all of it. I didn't have any resentment, I just accepted what happened, made the decision back then to move on and did. I don't wish anyone any bad. I just didn't get why he acted the way he did when it was j6st for a the week and then he would spend time with them alone for 4 more days. Have them all to himself. Why he couldn't just give me some time and him some time and be civil and act like an adult. Suck it up...and buck up.
He wasn't going to budge..and he was paying for her hotel room, and if they were to do anything, buy some tourist stuff..so maybe she felt that she owed him..altho I offered to pay for the hotel room.
I was a big mess...and I wish I would have stuck to my gut feeling and stayed home or went to my sisters. Hindsight is a b_tch. Live and Learn right>!
I will help her as I said, but I want her to know I am not just doing all this for my GD but for her to reach her goals too. I will make some plans and get my head out of all of this, talk to a therapist to help with this crossroad, and talk with her about how I feel. I can't think of any way else to handle this.
I read once that to be happy in life is to have someone to love, something to look forward to, and a purpose.... I guess I need the "have something to look forward to." although I do love seeing them too. Balance as you have said is key!!

Lolo81 Sun 18-Jul-21 03:52:33

That all sounds really positive!! Maybe speak to a therapist to work some of it out before approaching your daughter on it? A good therapist will help you find the words to explain yourself without it coming across like a guilt trip or having her feel in the middle.

I wish you every success in branching out and having a bit more balance!

NanaLane2021 Sun 18-Jul-21 05:52:27

Thank you Lolo81. I appreciate your thoughts and time in expressing them to me. I take everything said today seriously Godspeed to all.