My extended family is mean to my family

[Kitchen]

I can write a book about this topic but obviously need to keep it short.

 

Basically, I'm in my mid-20s, have a sister a few years younger. My mom is the youngest in among her siblings, and my sister and I are also much younger than all of our cousins (they range from mid 30s to mid 40s).

 

Ever since marriage, my mom's siblings have held a bias against her. There were some things with her wedding events they didn't agree with, and so for the last 30 years they've acted this way. Not overtly, but it's been subtle. This has also spilled over to my cousins acting this way towards me, ever since I was little. We've always felt excluded from the rest. It doesn't help being younger, because it helps them all suppress us.

 

We just found out recently that my uncles and aunts got together and didn't invite my parents. It's never been this blatant, and so it has caused me to be depressed. I don't care about them, but I'm really sad to see them be this way to my mom because I know it hurts her.

 

My grandparents aren't alive anymore, so it's not like they can intervene.

 

After the latest insult, my mom is now seriously considering cutting off several of them, the worst ones. They're not all bad, some are nice, but unfortunately most have banded together against us.

 

I feel so sad because I am powerless in all of this, and hate to see this happening to my mom. Wish it would happen to me instead of watching it happen to her.

 

I'll take any advice or words of hope that you would like to offer; or if you have any questions feel free to ask. Thanks for reading.

[Tayla]

Validate your mothers concern. And simply listen. You"ll find that doing so permits her to resolve her situation and you can be there as a support. Be mindful that its their actions and at this time you do not have all the facts. What you do have is a mom that can use a supportive family member.