Mom’s needs must take a back seat
DEAR AMY » My 57-year-old husband has stage 4 terminal pancreatic cancer.
This is a terrible time for our family.
My focus is on my husband and our two grown sons.
Then there is my narcissistic, manipulative mother.
She’s been my focus for several years because of many health issues.
Her health is currently stable, and she’s not getting the attention she’s used to.
She calls several times a day and is always crying and needing comfort.
I’ve finally stopped crying — until she calls.
She wants to have weekend get-togethers — every weekend — and gets mad when that doesn’t happen.
I’ve told her that this isn’t about her, and my husband isn’t up to daylong gatherings. How do I make her understand that for the time being, we are only doing what he needs, and wants?
How can I make her understand that her “needing” to have weekend family gatherings isn’t what’s best for him, and her “needing” constant comforting isn’t what my boys and I need?
— Struggling
DEAR STRUGGLING » You could assume that your mother already empirically understands that your husband’s needs must outweigh her own at this point. But if she has always been narcissistic and manipulative, your husband’s heartbreaking illness might cause her to simply up the ante, in terms of needing to catch — and keep — your attention.
You might do better if you shift your own focus away from trying to persuade her to become less selfish and more reasonable.
This is a heavy lift during a heavy time, but this might be the moment where you simply decide to let your mother have and handle her own feelings.
You’ve been concerned about her and compensating for her for a long time. You’ll have to try to switch gears.
Don’t say, “This isn’t about you, Mom,” because — for her — it will always be about her.
Find a way to say: “I hope you can figure out a way to handle your feelings. I can’t do that for you.”
DEAR AMY » Like “Old Veteran,” I also served (Navy) during Vietnam, and after discharge I also hid my military service.
It took 50 years before I stopped being careful. I was shocked when somebody actually expressed appreciation for my service.
What made the difference was my discovery of a group on Facebook, The Fallen Outdoors — many thousands of proud veterans of all ages who love to hunt, fish and be outdoors — and who are eager to welcome and help each other at any time.
Now I am proud to be among the tiny minority of American citizens who have served in the military.
Yes, the “thank you for your service” makes me a bit uncomfortable, but I graciously accept the comment in honor of all our brothers and sisters who did not make it home, or did come home damaged in body, mind and soul.