Dear questioner,
My name is Yang Yiqing, and I am a listener on the Yixinli platform.
In light of the aforementioned issues, I am compelled to engage in discourse with you with the aim of providing a source of solace and assistance.
From your description, it appears that you experience feelings of helplessness, indignation, and even grievance. Why does your mother provide such comprehensive care for your aunt's family but seem to disregard her own family? Why does your mother ignore your father and you?
Which of these individuals holds a greater position of importance in the subject's emotional hierarchy?
Furthermore, your current distress seems to be more about "I'm tired." Is this phenomenon due to me or my mother? From your question, it is evident that you experience self-doubt, fear of confronting your emotions directly, fear of acknowledging that you feel uncomfortable with your mother's behavior, and even fear of denying your mother's behavior. This ultimately leads to doubting yourself and your emotions and perceptions.
In light of these observations, I am compelled to express my profound empathy for your situation. It is evident that you are grappling with a complex web of emotions, including a sense of helplessness and a longing for maternal connection and care. Despite your strong attachment to your mother and the desire to express your innermost thoughts and feelings, you find yourself hesitant to do so. This reluctance may stem from a fear of being misunderstood or of being perceived as having abnormal needs. It is crucial to recognize that your feelings are valid and deserve to be acknowledged.
It appears that acknowledging the problematic nature of one's mother's behavior is a challenging endeavor. The inclination to prioritize personal transformation over disloyalty to one's mother is a common phenomenon. This phenomenon can be attributed to the deep-seated loyalty children exhibit towards their parents from an early developmental stage. This loyalty is often deeply entrenched and difficult to alter, leading many children to choose self-transformation over confronting their parents' inappropriate conduct.
With regard to the mother's behaviour, it is possible to suggest the following reasons:
The mother has not fully disengaged from her original family.
The mother-in-law is a relative who was raised in the original family and is therefore a familiar presence and perhaps a safe haven within. The mother may not have truly separated from her original family, so that she is still emotionally and deeply reliant on past experiences and relationships. This is her comfort zone, and she is unwilling to step outside it.
The mother is deficient in social contacts.
Does your mother lack other social contacts? Does she engage in any remunerative activities?
It would be beneficial to ascertain whether your mother has any other social circles.
Human social nature may prompt the mother to seek external relationships.
If the mother lacks other social interactions or does not receive the satisfaction and sense of achievement she needs from them, or if the mother has been frustrated and traumatized in other social interactions, and the sister-in-law seems like the ideal confidant, then the mother can fulfill her emotional needs and gain a sense of personal existence and value from the sister-in-law. For example, the mother can give the sister-in-law gifts, purchase items for her, request assistance from you in sending express deliveries, and so on. Through these "helpful acts," the mother can gain a sense of achievement in this relationship, or, in other words, the mother is needed and seen in this relationship.
It is therefore understandable that the mother relies heavily on this relationship with her sister-in-law.
The roles of you and your father within the familial structure.
It is essential to be aware of this yourself. What role do you and your father play in the family? Do you provide your mother with the necessary support?
At the times when she required encouragement and affirmation, did you offer her timely and appropriate praise?
In instances when she requires companionship and assistance, do you promptly offer her assistance and support?
Are you providing her with the opportunity to demonstrate her need for a sense of presence and worth?
If the mother does not receive the requisite support and companionship from the child and father, it is logical that she will seek it elsewhere.
It would be beneficial to ascertain the roles played by both parents and the mother in the family unit.
Indeed, these roles are mutually reinforcing. It can be said that it takes two to tango. There must be a reason why the mother is acting this way, and she must have her own reasons and difficulties.
The following advice and methods are presented for your consideration.
It is recommended that you engage in self-reflection.
First, it is essential to acknowledge and examine the underlying emotions and reactions that contribute to a given situation. Each emotion has a rationale for its emergence. Identifying the feelings and needs that precipitate the emotion is crucial for understanding its origin.
For example, if the subject states that they are feeling tired, it is important to accept that they are experiencing that sensation and not attempt to alter their state in order to avoid feeling tired.
One should not resist negative emotions, as they can provide insight that is often overlooked. If one is experiencing fatigue, it may be a result of dealing with one's mother's unresponsive needs or a manifestation of self-doubt. This can serve as a reminder to allow oneself to feel the full spectrum of emotions rather than attempting to suppress them.
"I would like to engage in a dialogue with my mother regarding her culinary offerings, which I find quite palatable."
It would be beneficial to engage in introspective discourse to ascertain the underlying motivations and dynamics of one's own inner self.
It is essential to comprehend the underlying motives that drive the mother's actions.
As the aforementioned analysis illustrates, what underlying needs might be motivating the mother's actions?
One might also consider consulting with the father regarding the couple's history and recent developments. Given their prolonged relationship, it is plausible that he possesses insights into the underlying causes. Even if he lacks such knowledge, engaging in dialogue could prove beneficial.
Additionally, one might inquire about the mother's sentiments during her interactions with the aunt and what her actions would be in the absence of the aunt. It would also be beneficial to ascertain the role the aunt plays in the mother's emotional state.
What can be done to assist the mother? Was the mother's demeanor similar at the time of the child's birth?
At what point did this transformation occur? What precipitated this shift?
Modifying the familial atmosphere and behavioral patterns may prove beneficial.
It seems reasonable to posit that my mother would still like to return to her family, provided that the underlying reasons are identified and the requisite support and companionship are provided. Alternatively, a direct appeal for her support might prove effective.
It is also possible that you and your father are simply too reserved.
It is of the utmost importance to gain an understanding of your mother's character and the role she plays in your life.
It would be beneficial to consider undertaking an action for her benefit.
It is possible that happiness will result from taking the initial step to effect a change.
Ultimately, it is my sincere hope that you will experience familial bliss and that you will ultimately succeed in achieving reconciliation.
Should you have any further inquiries or wish to discuss the matter further, I would be delighted to engage in further conversation.
With best wishes for your future endeavours.
Comments
I can see how frustrating this situation must be for you. It seems like your mom has developed a very close bond with her sisterinlaw, and it's overshadowing the time and attention she gives to you and your father. I wonder if there's a way to have an open conversation with her about balancing her time between family members.
It sounds like your mother finds a lot of joy in sharing her life and resources with her sisterinlaw. Maybe there's a deeper emotional connection or past experiences that make this relationship so important to her. Have you tried understanding what makes this bond so significant for her? Perhaps knowing more could help bridge the gap in your understanding.
Your feelings are completely valid. It's tough when you feel neglected by a parent, especially when they seem to prioritize others over their immediate family. Maybe setting up a family meeting could help, where everyone can express their feelings and concerns. It might lead to a solution where your mom can still maintain her relationship with her sisterinlaw but also pay more attention to you and your dad.
This is such a complex family dynamic. On one hand, it's beautiful to see someone so generous and caring; on the other hand, it's painful when that generosity comes at the expense of the people closest to them. I think it would be beneficial for all of you to consider seeking advice from a counselor who can provide guidance on how to address these issues constructively and support each other through this challenge.