Comments on Narcissism Daily Mirror: Dealing with Parents and In-laws

To Anonymous with elderly in-laws, God Bless you!...

2011-12-06T21:09:47.942-08:00

To Anonymous with elderly in-laws,

God Bless you! I have faced many similar challenges. It is not easy. I have made a lot of progress also, thanks in large part to Kim and Steve. It inspires me to read about others' successes. Thank you for posting.

Kim and Steve, I posted previously about the elder...

2011-12-02T20:00:02.845-08:00

Kim and Steve, I posted previously about the elderly in-laws and not seeing them on holidays.

I would also like to say thank you. As I look back on this year, I have come so far. Much of that is thanks to your work.

I refuse to be codependent anymore. When I realized the physical and mental state I had allowed myself to fall into, I was ashamed and had to ask God for forgiveness.

Our finances had fallen into a shocking state. At first I blamed my husband (with reason), but I came to realize that I needed to at least take care of myself. I was too sick to hold a job, but it was from allowing others to abuse me.

Now I had already spent several years working on getting over fears, allowing myself to splurge on little things, becoming outgoing and truly loving, and giving myself a makeover. There was much more to do, though.

I have spent the year doing what it takes to get better. I took supplements, did brain training to regain short-term memory (yes, it was that bad), re-established an exercise routine, and left or changed stressful situations.

I returned to drawing and gardening as my therapies. I have set boundaries at home and elsewhere.

Also, the challenges are working with my husband. (Of course, having a new wife helps with the motivation, too!)

This week I have put in six applications for responsible jobs, and I feel so capable of fulfilling any of them!

Thank you for talking about power issues and getting strong, as well as everything else. Never again will I be in a place determined by another person (with God's help). You have to do the very best you can for yourself in order to help others.

I do not see my in-laws on holidays, and I'm f...

2011-12-02T19:15:47.099-08:00

I do not see my in-laws on holidays, and I'm finally feeling almost good about it.

In the last three years, I have decided to minimize contact with my in-laws. This is hard because they are old and my father-in-law needs round-the-clock care. Family provides the bulk of this. I would like to help, but they are both so difficult.

My husband has been the scapegoat of the family and his sister the favorite. I have had to accept that she and her husband are really the only ones the in-laws will allow to help them, even though they would deny that. We make what financial contribution we can to my in-laws and to my sister-in-law and her husband for their time.

At the holidays, it can be challenging for me to accept that it is best to stay away, but the alternative is almost certainly a ruined holiday.

My MIL has enjoyed provoking my husband with put-downs or by bringing up subjects she knows to be painful and making hurtful comments. In past experience, confronting her has led only to the everlasting argument. (In which she will repeatedly make her points all night, by phone, or on subsequent visits.)

My husband has gotten good at ignoring or standing up to her. I am the one who gets the angriest, for his sake. I do hide this anger from her, but I get concerned I'll say something I would regret later.

I have finally accepted that this is her choice, and I refuse to let her spoil my Christmas or Thanksgiving Day. The day before or after, we may (or may not) see them. But I will not stand for her bullying any more.

I have handed the whole thing over to God and don't think about it much anymore. Much more peace that way.

Hi Mike, I am glad that you found us! I would defi...

2011-12-02T16:02:14.846-08:00

Hi Mike, I am glad that you found us! I would definitely suggest that you start with the Love Safety Net Workbook Exercises. If Con would do them too would be great. You may also find 10 Steps to overcome codependence very helpful. When you subscribed to our site at narcissismcured.com you will get a chance to buy our introductory specials on these.

Take your time and move at the pace you feel comfortable at with Con. Now would be a great time to learn to challenge her. You will find info on that in the gap finder section of our workbook.

Hang in there Mike!

Kim Cooper
www.NarcissismCured.com

Hi Steve and Kim, I want to thank you for keeping...

2011-12-02T13:20:37.127-08:00

Hi Steve and Kim,
I want to thank you for keeping in touch. I've been reading some of your material on Narcissism, and sorry to say that I see parts of me in your discription of what it looks like. In addition, I see some of the same characteristics in my ex-wife. We seperated in 2006, and divorced in 2010. We had no communication for almost 3 years, and I got envolved in another relationship that lasted for almost 3 years however, for many reasons it ended, and although I was starving for validation and affection all I really was doing was repeating a co-dependent behavior. For the last 3 or 4 months communication with (I hate to say ex so I'll call her Con), Con has been re-established, and I'm finding it hard to trust what is happening. I should make it clear that I generally do not trust women, something from childhood however, I am greatful to have her and my daughter back in my life, although I'm taking it really slow beacause when we first started talking again it wasn't long before Con was wanting more than conversation. She wanted intamacy but I felt kind of wierd and good all at the same time. Wierd because I had just been in a relationship but not over with in my heart, and good beacause I had been with Con for more than 20 years, and it felt both comfortable and familiar. I recently started a Celebrate Recovery Step Study at my home church in hopes of getting through and dealing with some of the stuff I've been carrying around for a long time. I believe that you guys have something to offer that could be helpful to my recovery, I just need a little help in knowing which materials would best benefit me at a cost effective price. If you would direct me in that process I would be very greatful. Thank you! Mike

I have very toxic ex-in-laws. They are very much ...

2011-12-02T08:39:50.823-08:00

I have very toxic ex-in-laws. They are very much involved in my relationship with my ex-husband which affects building a new relationship as parents. Our children can see the manipulation and is pulling them away from their own grandparents and building a lot resentment towards them.

Hello Steve and Kim, i've had some wicked in-...

2011-12-01T23:08:38.418-08:00

Hello Steve and Kim,

i've had some wicked in-laws and I can certainly tell you they are not easy to deal with. ugh! I've really not prepared myself prior to meeting them, and have witnessed more than my share of mayhem between in-laws and their adult kids.
I try to avoid being in their presence as much as possible, and it's worked for me. I do not enjoy fights of any sort. I prefer harmony and peace!