I just got reamed out on MSN by my mother, for being a crappy daughter who can’t be counted and who never does anything for her. Why? Because I don’t have an extra $300 lying around to cover a photo printer that she wants on eBay. Because she is replacing the one she has. Yes, the same one she swiped from me. I’m also replacing mine (I’m selling my current one), but that’s because of buggy driver compatibility with Windows Vista. The printer itself works beautifully, but it doesn’t play nicely with Windows Vista, and I don’t want to go back to Windows XP. My mother didn’t even notice the issue with printing from Vista until I pointed it out to her. But you know how it is with my mom: monkey see, monkey do.
Nevermind the fact that Dan and I took in the boys for seven weeks last fall. Or that we took in my oldest younger brother for two weeks in February. Or that for the entire month of March, I lent her over $100 for food, and bought groceries and had her over for meals on top of all of that. I also spent $110 on Easter candy at Target, and half of that went to her boys. Easter dinner cost me $60, and she and my brothers were recipients of it as well. I never asked her for the Easter candy or Easter dinner money back, nor did I ask her to pay me back for the entire week after Easter, where I bought extra food so she and the boys would have something to eat for dinner each night. (Most of her February food money went for the printer she sniped from me on eBay, as well as a stereo system, Sirius satellite radio system, and some other crap.) Also, that $100+ I lent her in March? I only asked for half of it back.
But all that be damned. The fact that I didn’t have an extra $300 to lend her at the drop of a dime, for an frivolous purchase, is enough to sweep all of that away. I am a terrible daughter, and any mother would be ashamed and horrible to have to claim me as theirs.
Pfft. Whatever. I’m not upset, I’m really not. But I am, beyond the shadow of a doubt, irritated.
Alyssa and Ryan have been playing together very nicely today. She helps him do things, and tries to make him smile and laugh by tickling him if he trips or gets frustrated with something and starts bellowing. Also, she loves to hug him. When Alyssa is twelve and Ryan is ten and they both hate the other’s very existence, I plan on whipping out the following photos as proof that indeed, at one time they not only tolerated one another, but they loved one another!
my roomie’s mum does that to her. she’s constantly begging for money even when my room mate doesn’t have hardly a dime to her name. recently she’s been in the hospital alot and her mom is STILL asking to borrow hundreds of dollars. and then when she recieves a “no” she starts in on how bad of a daughter she has etc etc…
You’re SUCH a horrible daughter Jenn.
Give me a BREAK. Maybe if it was an emergency but a frivolous purchase? Cripes almighty.
Alyssa and Ryan are ADORABLE.
I don’t know how you deal with your mother. I am sure she’s not a terrible person, but she should never feel comfortable enough to push her troubles off onto you. I could see if she needed money for something legitimate, but for a printer? No thanks!
I love that picture of Alyssa and Ryan. They are so stinkin’ adorable!
That picture is sooo adorable. I wish I had the money to buy the printer from you, because I would. Don’t listen to your Mom, seems as thought she wants everything you do. Dont give in!
No offense, Jen, but your mama…? Issues. BIG issues.
Like Jessica said, I don’t think she’s a bad person, but her behavior is just so weird. Flipping out over you not forking out dough for a *printer*? I’d understand asking to get money for a surgery… groceries… something important, but a *printer*?
Issues AND living over-budget?
I’m sorry you’re having issues with your mother, that can’t be easy.
As I think you’ve already deduced, you are NOT a terrible daughter, in fact I think you’re far more tolerant and generous than the average person would be!
You have extremely cute children. Enough make me wish I wasn’t an only child! :O
What sucks is your mom’s attitude towards you. Instead of being grateful for you for helping out over the years, she’s upset that you can’t help her pay for something she doesn’t actually need? Just unnecessarily rude. Maybe you should just never tell her about your new purchases, ever again.
And that is an adorable photo.
I don’t have any cutesy photos lying around the house of me and my older sisters.
OMG. Jenn ditto what everyone else already said about the mom issue and all I can say is next time someone needs to take the boys and foot the bill you shouldn’t have to do it. You have paid your dues big time.
I think next time she needs a babysitter or extra grocery money, you should remind her of the frivolous things she bought with that money, and refuse to give her any. She needs to learn a hard lesson, and you might need to be the one to teach her. (And if she’s replacing the printer she has, why doesn’t she sell that one on Ebay FIRST, and then buy a new one?)
I don’t think you’re a horrible daughter. I think she has issues with being a reliable, responsible mother. I don’t know how you put up with her sometimes. I understand she’s your mother, but crimany. Enough is enough sometimes!
Your mom is a trip. I can’t believe she wants a new printer now JUST BECAUSE you got one. And that she wants YOU to pay for it after all that you’ve done for her in the past. You need to put your foot down and tell her to stop being a dumbass.
You are a fantastic daughter. Hell, you deserve a daughter of the year award for what you did for your brothers. I had my little brother with me for a year when Cassidy was two and it was hard for me with TWO kids… you had FOUR.
Wow, your mother has some issues. It’s horrible for her to say such things over a damn printer. Put your foot down and stick to your guns, don’t give into this blackmail.
Shoot, I’d be madder than hell… mostly because you helped her by caring for her children and I can’t imagine that being easy on you when you already have two little ones of your own. She should still be bowing at both of your feet for being so gracious. I can’t imagine how horrible that could’ve been if you guys weren’t there for them.
Asking for help is a bit more understandable if it’s for something that she needs, but the world won’t stop turning if she doesn’t buy every single thing you do. Especially if she never even noticed her printer was glitchy until you pointed it out.
You’re awesome for not being upset, I would be outraged.
Forgot to mention just how cute that photo is, I would looove to have a picture like this of my brother and me as kids.
I agree your mother has some serious issues.
From what it sounds, it seems like you are the parent and she is the child. Have you ever been up front with her and told her that she needs to start acting like a responsible mother instead of, well your sister?
I would have flipped a lid by now. I don’t know how you do it.
Have you sold the printer yet? ;)