Parenting
Related: About this forumNeed help with adult daughter and her interaction with the family.
We have three daughters - 30, 27, 24. In general, we get along very well and love each other very much. The 30-year-old daughter is married and lives 4 hours away (let's call her Martha and husband Jim). She is very intelligent and very successful professionally and financially. The other two get along with each other extremely well and have a mutual respect for each other and for my husband and me. They both struggle with their relationship with Martha.
Here's my issue: Jim loves Martha very much, but seems to be indifferent toward us. That's not to say he hates us, but he's indifferent to us as with most people, including his own family, except his sister, and his friends (guys since high school) that he's very devoted to. When Jim and Martha come, he does nothing. Sits all day long, listens to audio books, and plays games on his phone and barely interacts. Doesn't thank us for our hospitality, Christmas gifts, for cooking great meals, nothing. I say "Good morning," he says "Greetings." Never asks about how we are (both cancer survivors), never asks if there's anything he can do.
Martha loves Jim very much. We do not criticize or speak badly about Jim at all - she loves him so we are polite and warm and cordial. Martha also never lifts a finger, thanks us only sometimes, but is generally grumpy. She makes snarky remarks - Jane put something of Martha's in the room they sleep in (the room they always sleep in that has a bathing suit in the drawer and crocs in the closet for her) and said, "Martha, it's in your room." Martha spit back, "That's not my room" , disses her youngest sister constantly, makes crappy remarks about the food available ("I don't like chili with meat." "I hate ham." "I don't like apple strudel" but brings no food, takes part in none of the planning, cooking, or preparations.
This is the tip of the iceberg. There are so many snarky, nasty little things that she says, and it breaks my heart We gave each of our daughters a sum of money, then gave each a smaller sum on a staggered scale (to the one who needed it the most to the next, and then Martha) and told them why we were doing it this way over the course of a few months, and she said to one of her sisters, "I probably won't get any more money."
?????
When she was a girl, up until the middle of high school, she was a warm, caring, wonderful person. Things changed, and she's become hardened and dismissive - doesn't answer her phone when we call, doesn't answer texts, barely communicates unless she has good news from work to share.
I love all our children, and this breaks my heart - that she's become this uncaring, nasty person, that she is rude to her sisters, and that it affects our family harmony and I'm mourning the loss of this once lovely person. I've been struggling trying to decide if and how to bring this up. My first inclination is to separate myself a bit - don't call, take my time answering her texts and calls when they do occur - but I don't know if I'm doing that to be bitchy or just what my purpose would be. My husband suggested we talk to her on a visit, face to face. I wouldn't start by saying, "Why are you such a shit to us?" but wonder where to start?
dixiegrrrrl
(60,011 posts)Last edited Sun Dec 27, 2015, 06:41 PM - Edit history (1)
Because you would not put up with that behavior from a non-relative, would you?
Or a friend?
Altho that behavior from a friend would be unlikely, since such a person would not be a friend in the first place.
Plop her down sometime, alone, and calmly tell her you have decided that since she and Jim seem so unhappy around the family, you have decided to carry on without her participation, it is simply too unpleasant and stressful for you and your husband.
You have said her behavior is old stuff, not anything suddenly new. So you have got to change YOUR acceptance of this rude behavior..
And yeah, I have been there, and yeah, it took me longer than it should have to find the words to deal with toxic relative because I had bought into the bs that family can get away with anything because they are family.
Being taken for granted sucks....I learned you can't be a doormat if you are not lying on the floor.
HeiressofBickworth
(2,682 posts)When I read the OP, what came to my mind is that Martha and Jim may have severe marital problems. Jim has withdrawn and Martha is frustrated, yet unwilling to share her feelings with HER family.
It reminded me somewhat of my 2nd marriage. He, too, was great with his family -- spent time with them, helped them out with things, but when around my family, he read a book, didn't converse. Most times, he just didn't attend my family dinners, etc. I made excuses for him -- he was busy, he was tired. Ultimately, one day he came home from work and announced that he didn't want to be married anymore. He packed up and left the next day. Nope, no other woman, he just didn't want to be married any more and that was the end of that.
So, if the OP writer talks with Martha, one-on-one, and asks why she seems so rude, tense, unhappy and is there anything the parents can do to help. It might result in more information which puts behavior in context.
I think accusing her of rudeness, pointing out her neglect and disdain, etc., would make Martha defensive and drive a further wedge between the family members.
On the other hand, perhaps Martha really is just a shitheel who needs some time by herself.
dixiegrrrrl
(60,011 posts)btw..I empathize with you about the guy deciding he just did not want to be married anymore, end of story.
Had exactly the same experience.
HeiressofBickworth
(2,682 posts)We had been together 17 years -- 5 years dating and 12 years married. Sorry to hear you had the same experience.
But back to the OP. That's why I gave the potential out that Martha just might be a shit anyway. Either way, I think it's better to get information before lowering the hammer. The writer obviously wants to salvage some kind of relationship, even though WE might wonder why.
LiberalEsto
(22,845 posts)Just a thought.
I've been through it a couple of times and it drastically changed my thinking and behavior.
phylny
(8,585 posts)She's taking medication for both. It runs in our family - I've just weaned off mine and am doing fine.
I appreciate the other responses as well. I don't think it's marital problems. I'm seriously reading and thinking about what you've all said and very much appreciate each of you who've taken the time to read and respond.
Response to phylny (Original post)
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