Dear Sir/Madam,
I can appreciate the physical and mental exhaustion you are experiencing, as well as the conflicting emotions. I understand that working outside the home is very tiring. Despite your child being cared for by his mother, you still have a responsibility to ensure he receives an education. You also have to consider housework. In addition to this, you have to balance your relationship with your mother and your husband. You are grateful to your mother for taking care of you and your child, but you also have to deal with the conflicts that arise. You care about your husband, but sometimes you feel that he only gives advice and doesn't help with practical matters.
I hope this helps to clarify the situation.
Kind regards,
It is important to recognise that everyone faces challenges and that these can often be perceived as difficult. This may be a common experience. In many cases, we live with a high level of anxiety and need to calm down and identify the underlying issues, our own needs and the necessary actions. Let us examine this in more detail:
1. I have read too much information from your description, so please select some to discuss.
1. "I anticipated that the sewing would be completed promptly. However, my mother indicated that the curtain could not be sewn immediately."
As the individual responsible for addressing the broken curtains in your residence, you may be inclined to believe that if you do not prioritize this task, your spouse will not be concerned about it.
You anticipate that your mother will complete the sewing process expeditiously. However, when she indicates that this is not feasible, you question her commitment to the task and perceive her avoidance of it.
2. I informed my husband that we would produce a new set of curtains and utilize the existing ones in the interim. Once the new set was ready, we would address the repairs to the old set.
A matter of this level, such as replacing a new curtain, requires discussion with your husband. If your husband is unwilling, you will likely consider his opinion.
The subsequent paragraph addresses a minor disagreement regarding the optimal location for mending.
"I was quite upset and stated, 'How can you be certain you cannot sew in a sewing shop if you have not tried?' Your subconscious mind is prompting your mother to take it to the sewing shop, and you believe it is her responsibility to do so."
I informed my husband that if he had the time, he should complete the task himself. I did not have the time to do so myself and was unable to persuade anyone else to take on the responsibility.
In the past, in your family, you were required to inform your husband about many things. He would then offer his opinion, but rarely take action himself.
Your message to your mother, "I can't get anyone to listen," indicates dissatisfaction with her. You believe she should have taken the initiative and informed you that you took it to the sewing shop.
"Then my mother began to weep, stating that she had endured humiliation from receiving compensation from me." Despite the trivial nature of the incident, my mother exhibited a profound emotional response. As with you, she had been accumulating significant emotional distress over an extended period. Her statements, made under the influence of such intense emotion, reflected her genuine beliefs. The crucial issue is that she perceived a lack of respect from you, as though she were not your biological mother but a mere caretaker. She even experienced a sense of humiliation comparable to that of a nanny.
4. With regard to the description of providing your mother with 2,000 yuan:
While you are aware that financial resources are limited, this is a direct result of the conflict with your husband. You have indicated that you are highly considerate and supportive of your mother. The use of the term "fight" with your husband suggests a deeper underlying issue. It seems that your husband believes that his mother-in-law should be more involved in childcare responsibilities. It is possible that you have been unable to convince your husband in a reasonable manner, and resorting to a combative approach may be your last resort to demonstrate your determination.
5. "Even if she is unable to assist with childcare, will her relationship with my father remain positive? Will she be able to provide long-term care for my grandfather?"
In essence, the underlying issue is that you are not assisting your mother with childcare, which is a source of frustration for her. If this is a matter that your mother cares about, would it be more detrimental to her if you were to help with childcare? What steps can you take to assist your mother?
6. "Because she holds a grudge against me, I can feel that she often attacks me, intentionally or unintentionally."
Has your mother ever held a grudge against you or attacked you frequently? Have you ever considered the possibility that feelings of resentment are mutual and aggression only occurs when emotions have accumulated to a certain level?
Furthermore, I am questioning whether these feelings are my own delusions, given that I initially suspected you felt this way and therefore assumed you felt this way.
7. "I believe there are fundamental differences in our views on child-rearing. When she is unable to attribute blame to me, she redirects her frustration by supporting my husband's arguments that I am in the wrong.
Mothers and daughters represent two distinct generations, and their perspectives on child-rearing naturally diverge. When there is a discrepancy in these perspectives, it can lead to a perception of forcefulness, which may evoke a sense of frustration in the other party. In this case, the mother may feel that her actions are aligned with what she believes to be the best interests of the child, yet the daughter's response is perceived as dismissive.
Furthermore, you perceive your mother's grievances as resentment.
8. "I recognize that I have a tendency to take my mother's support for granted. She has been a dedicated caretaker since I became pregnant, and she has also been a devoted caregiver for my son. However, after a significant period of time, I am experiencing a sense of gratitude fatigue."
Your discomfort is a direct reflection of an internal conflict. While you are aware that your mother has provided significant assistance and has made commendable efforts to support you, subconsciously, you have developed a range of sentiments and assumptions over time. These include perceptions of resentment, control, and stubbornness regarding child rearing and garbage disposal.
2. Let's address the underlying issue.
1. Is it the mother's responsibility to help with childcare? You and your husband have a subconscious perception that it is.
It is important to note that mothers are not obliged to help with childcare. Their primary responsibility is to raise their children.
2. Given that I provide financial support to my mother, should she be expected to assist with domestic tasks? You and your husband have a similar subconscious assumption.
3. Please describe the division of labor within your household. At what levels of decision-making should matters be discussed and decided together, and at what levels can each of you decide on your own? This issue has not been agreed upon, and no rules have been formed. When there are no clear rules, there will be conflicts between individual perceptions and actual actions.
4. How do you view disagreements in family relationships, and how can you deal with them more effectively? It is possible that you have not yet considered this issue in sufficient depth to propose a solution. When a disagreement arises, you either accept it or attempt to resolve it through argument and conflict. You may never engage in a discussion with the aim of reaching a mutually acceptable solution that can guide you through future disagreements.
5. I have encountered the assertion that "a harmonious home brings success in everything." This appears to be a valid premise, but I have not previously considered the specific ways in which a harmonious home contributes to success, the factors that contribute to disharmony, or the means of achieving a harmonious home.
In summary, I would like to evaluate whether my expectations of my family are reasonable. I would also like to assess my level of awareness when dealing with family relationships. Finally, I would like to determine whether I have found a methodology for getting along with family members.
3. Some observations and suggestions:
a. Re-examine the fundamental assumptions that underpin the current situation.
b. Articulate the desired state for the family.
c. Identify strategies for fostering mutual understanding and cooperation.
1. The fundamental issue in my relationship with my mother is that she is not obliged to provide childcare support, and I am obliged to demonstrate filial piety and provide financial assistance to my parents. These two responsibilities are not interlinked. My mother has provided childcare support for many years, and I should be grateful for her assistance.
Providing financial assistance to my mother is an expression of my gratitude, not a transaction. If it were a transaction, the amount of money would not be sufficient, and it is not possible to purchase this level of trust with additional funds. It is not easy for my mother to manage my life, and she should not be responsible for all domestic tasks. We should be grateful to be able to contribute to the household in some way.
My husband and I are responsible for our children's education, and naturally, my mother's educational philosophy differs from mine. It is essential that we identify ways to collaborate effectively despite these differences. Additionally, my mother's habits and lifestyle are starkly divergent from ours, necessitating a discernment between which aspects we can align on and which we must accept as incompatible.
2. The foundation of the relationship with my husband: In the family, both parties are equal and must contribute to the family. The amount of income is not a factor in this regard. There is a division of labor and collaboration in various family matters and children's education. Each person is empowered to make decisions on what type and level of matters, and what needs to be negotiated.
It is important to note that conflict is a normal part of the family dynamic. While it may manifest as disagreements, it is essential to distinguish this from arguments. To effectively navigate conflict, it is crucial to address it directly, identify areas of disagreement, express your opinions, and then communicate in a constructive manner. Communication is a vital aspect of the family unit. It involves listening to the other person, articulating your perspective, and reaching a mutual understanding through negotiation to bridge differences. A calm and peaceful atmosphere is conducive to successful conflict resolution.
The aforementioned principles of division of labor, rules, conflicts, and communication also apply to the relationship with my mother.
3. How can children do well?
In child education, the child is the main body and the family is the environment. Without a good environment, the seeds cannot sprout, and even if they do, they may grow crooked. The correct concept of child education is the child's independence. Independence means helping the child to be independent in all aspects of his or her life, not just focusing on school, grades, and rankings. Once the direction of education is clear, the family can work together to develop a learning plan for the child, and implement it according to the agreed plan. The mother is only there to take care of the child, collect information, and give feedback to you. You and your husband are the main responsible persons for your child's education.
4. The questioner is the link in the family. You are the link between the various roles in the family, and everyone else is connected around you. Your mood directly affects everyone, and therefore the entire family environment. It is therefore important to cultivate yourself, your understanding, and find ways to become the mood setter, rule initiator, and organizer in your family.
It is challenging for an impartial third party to assess family-related issues. It is therefore essential that family members resolve these matters independently. I hope this has been informative for you.
Best regards,
Comments
I can see why you're feeling so frustrated and overwhelmed. It sounds like there's a lot of tension in your household, especially with the different opinions on how to handle the curtains and the deeper issues that have built up over time. It's hard when you feel like your efforts aren't appreciated or understood by the people closest to you.
It seems like communication has broken down between you, your mother, and your husband. Maybe it's time for everyone to sit down and have an honest conversation about what each person is feeling and expecting from one another. It's important that everyone feels heard and valued.
You've been trying to balance so many things at once work, home life, and managing relationships within the family. Sometimes it's okay to admit that you need help or that you're reaching your limit. Perhaps discussing ways to lighten your load or finding support outside the family could be beneficial.
Your mother might not realize the effort you put into ensuring she receives financial support. It could help if you expressed your appreciation for her sacrifices while also being open about the challenges you face. Honest dialogue might lead to a better understanding between both of you.
Feeling controlled and unappreciated can take a toll on anyone. It's understandable that you're feeling this way after all these years. Maybe setting some boundaries around certain tasks or responsibilities could give you a sense of control back and reduce the friction between you and your mother.