My mother has taken all the joy out of my life. I have read many articles on this site but there really aren't any answers. Only more questions. I am giving up. My son graduated from high school and she made it miserable. My daughter graduated from college, she goes into crisis and I am robbed of that joy. Now, my daughter is getting married and my mother is once again going into crisis mode. Why? Because it always has to be about her. She has to be the center of attention because she thinks she deserves it. Honestly, I can't live this way anymore with no joy, no relaxation, never unstressed or unworried. I am very close to ending it all. If I didn't have my son to finish putting through college I would kill myself and be done with it. This is what it has come to. My life or hers. And she's winning.
I hope you will listen and try some of the great responses that were given to you here and act on them. There is a lot of wisdom in this great caring group who have experienced what you are trying unsuccessfully to deal with and there is nothing wrong with correcting the situation so you can have a life. I am sure your own health is deteriorating due to the stress you are under and any counselor will tell you we must take care of our selves first. Otherwise, we are so out of it, we cannot cope or deal with the daily war going on inside you that knows the situation cannot remain the same.
I am praying you will find the strength to do what you must to take care of your children's welfare first and do the best you can with you mother but she needs to be anywhere other than with you. And please don't allow her to control your emotions through guilt and shame. They are such great manipulators and we still want to be the "Perfect Child" no matter how old we get. We want their approval but I have learned it is impossible to get and I am not the best choice for taking care of my mother. Mine is 91 and lives in a nice apartment with transportation, housekeeping and her meals. So, she can still take care of herself to some degree but her Dementia is getting worse and there worse side comes out in Dementia patients that are Narcissistic like my mother. I can only do so much for her and of course it will never be enough to suit her but I just cannot worry about her approval. All I can do is make sure she has the help she needs but not in my home. I do hope this will give you a little encoragement and will to keep going. Taking your own life would be very selfish. Think of the embarrassment and hurt it would cause your entire family and especially your children. This should not be an option. Taking care of yourself and helping your mother the best you can without being totally weighed down with her every whim is the answer. Learn to love thy self and then others. :)
Warm wishes and Hugs.
Sunny
Daughter is too distraught to talk about why.
Have the wedding without her