Yes, she's over the top. And I hope I don't do that when I'm a Grandma. But, from our experience, it's so nice to have a proud Grandma as our kids' grandparents are so NOT the bragging type. NEVER have they bragged on our kids (and there is/was plenty to be happy about!) and actually never paid them much attention. Except for my dad, who has maintained relationships with them and tells them, personally, that he is proud of them, none of the the others EVER have bragged on them. I miss that FOR my kids, in a way. But the over-the-top stuff on FB, no thank-you!

Oh My Goodness- this would be funny if I hadn't run into more than my share of people like this...actually, now, it IS funny as we're through most of our child-RAISING. We're in the 20-something stuff, mostly, and it's a whole 'nudder ballgame. But, we're enjoying it.

You are such an example to others!! Thank you for sharing your story....as so many of us would throw in the towel. And praise God for His sustenence and care for you- meeting your needs during a tough time.

Yes. Always. I've told a few girlfriends that if they didn't want my dh to know, then they shouldn't tell me. Once or twice, a friend chose not to tell me. That's ok.

I know God can show up in a BIG way. Hoping for the best for your dd and her dh.

I'm so sorry you've gone thru this....I've had a very similar experience- one woman is most definitely NPD (our dd is a mental health counselor and had her own dealings with her- this diagnosis is her conclusion) and the other woman was an enabler. Unfortunately, they both went to our church and our paths occaisionally crossed. I unfriended them both on FB and steer clear. The nut-job has left our church now as our pastor finally saw thru her and she wasn't getting her way anymore. The enabler is, I believe, remorseful. You've gotten great advice- take the high road, hang with better friends who will respect you and try not to let their activities bring you down. It's awful, it hurts and takes time to heal from it. You're better than they are and can see where you've grown because of it. It will get better. :grouphug:

1) & 2) John Thornton 3) Jane Eyre - except for the awful childhood!

This is a REALLY old one and it's not completely vegan but it helped me get started with the idea, philosophically and implement new things: The More With Less Cookbook by Doris Longacre

Joanne- You've had worked so hard for this and I'm so very happy for you. It's so great this opportunity has come along for you....it's God provision for you at this time. May you sense His continued grace and care for you, your dh and children. Congratulations !!:001_smile:

Marianne- I am praying. They've gone thru a lot. May the Lord bless them.

:iagree: This is my own mother's perspective so we don't communicate much. She can't handle that we've made different choices than her. I sometimes think people are intimated or feel condemned when someone else does things differently. We have not criticized them personally, but they take our decisions as a personal affront. Good grief. Their loss, IMO.

Jewel- you've gotten great advice.....where is your dh is this? It IS his mom, after all. He needs to have a conversation with her clearly stating that there will be no more criticism of his wife. He'll probably need to give her examples of how she's been disrespectful so, it's VERY clear. Sorry, you're having to go thru this. My mom has a Master's in Ed and thought our homeschooling (24 years of it) was ridiculous...it stems from arrogance, feeling a personal affront that all their studying and effort to earn their teaching degrees are snubbed because you're doing such a fine job and not being willing to accept that there are other pathways than the one they were/are on. Your dh could asssure her that your choice is in no way meant to disrespect her but is meant to give your children a stellar education and the very BEST thing she could do would be to get on board by educating herself about what hs really is and contributing to the cause with all her great experience! She could be part of it instead of being an adversary. Gosh, what a thought.

Well, bless your heart, Lynne. You have a good attitude about it, I have to say....and you've equipped yourself to deal with bumps in the road. I respect that. Just in case you haven't heard of it before, the Boundaries book MAY be helpful. I still don't think that late marriage or one being set in their ways is an excuse for completely burdening you with the entire problem. Marriage is supposed to be teamwork. You ought to assess the messages you're transmitting to your children. :grouphug:

Sorry.....but this (not cleaning it up himself and asking for dinner at such a bad time) would cause a major sit down and hash it out session. His treatment of you is absolutely disrespectful and selfish. It wouldn't happen again in my house, unless he was incapacitated ! Don't let it set a precedent for repeat behavior. Good traits aside, it's unacceptable. I do hope you can find something else soon- it must be difficult.

Oh....this is us, too. Lots of drama in opera. Don't be embarassed!

Our daughter got a degree in communications with emphasis in PR...worked for a few years and then went to DTS and got a Master's in Counseling. The PR/marketing stuff actually comes in handy when in comes to private practice. Don't know if that is helpful.

:iagree::iagree: Mine did the same thing this morning with a phone call. He's a gem and I am blessed....marriage gets better the longer we're at it...33 years and counting.

:iagree::iagree: This is EXACTLY what I was going to say. I hope things will get better for you....putting up the boundaries is actually FREEING. Blessings to you!

This is especially true in Christian circles. With our NPD person, it was thought that the 'Christian' response was to enable and capitutate to her. WRONG. It simply emboldened her and created a monster. If you haven't read the Boundaries books, PLEASE do. Protect your children. I'm so sorry they have to experience this. And, you , too.

Yup. This is me. :iagree:

:iagree::iagree: Exactly this. We purged our shelves of them when our oldest was about 3.....Papa Bear was an idiot and Mama Bear was the saviour/intelligent/calm/clear-thinking one with all the answers. It was one way we saw feminism creeping in- and rather incidiously. Yes- they do present some good moral lessons. But, for my dh and I, the overt male-bashing out-weighed the good. (When Papa Bear's folly is pointed out and the children make fun of him- those were the worst instances of it) I realize it's a personal decision and not everyone saw/sees it like we do/did. That's fine.

Two friends have successfully dropped 30+ lbs fairly rapidly on this diet. Do you have any experience or knowledge of it? Thanks in advance!

They're looking to see what the change may be from week to week- both in the diameter of the opening as well as efacement (sp?)- the thinning of the cervix....gives them an idea of the progress.Checking it can be uncomfortable but wait till they might strip your membranes- that can get things going - as in labor. They usually wait until you're really close or passed your due date to do that.

Oh goodness! This is awful-I'm so sorry you've endured this. We have also had to make difficult decisions about whether to continue relationships with people or not. Distance and time DO help you to evaluate things more clearly. The above behaviors sound like someone with a NPD diagnosis- Narcissistic Personality Disorder- and very rarely do they seek therapy (in their mind, they're not the problem- it's everyone else) and change. We had one in our family and had to cut contact. Didn't help that most of the rest of the family enabled the individual. Very difficult situations. Oh! And I whole-heartedly recommend the Boundaries books- the main one really helped us.

Weekend in New England. (Yes, I'm showing my age!)