Hi, Dr. Laura Schlessinger here with our YouTube channel and our question from Janice:
"I grew up in a household where my mother was constantly criticizing me. [That's too bad.] She's still doing it, even though I'm an adult with a husband and child. She makes me feel as though everything I do is wrong. And she not only criticizes me, but she takes issue with our parenting style.
Lately, she's been comparing our son unfavorably to other kids his age, implying that he's not as smart as they are. Even though my husband thinks I'm doing just fine as a wife and mother, I'm always anxious and feel I haven't done enough because of my own mother's critical comments.
How can I get my self-confidence back? And should my husband and I limit the time our family spends with my mother?"
[Sighs, looks up and shakes head.] Janice, Janice, Janice. Your mother is destructive. You have a moral obligation to protect your family (that means your husband, your children and yourself) from people who are destructive and dangerous. And your mother is just blatantly mean.
What you really need to do is have her come over one night for dinner and after dessert tell her, "This was our last supper. You have for [I don't know how old you are, but let's say...] 35 years have been nothing but negative and hostile and undermining me and I won't have it anymore. So this is our last supper until you can learn to act like a supportive, kind, loving mother and human being. So let me help you to the door; here's your purse, here's your coat. Goodbye." You [points finger sternly] need to do that with that kind of strength and conviction. Did you hear me?! Are you clear?! Good.
I'm Dr. Laura Schlessinger. Until next time on our YouTube channel.
