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xrayjodib Asked February 2020

Dealing with narcissistic mother?

Almost 3 weeks with my narcissistic mother in my home.
The movers still have not given her any clue as to when they will bring her furniture.
I have told her we have enough furniture to get her moved into her new place until her things arrive, but she cried uncontrollably. Upset because I am trying to get rid of her.
In the meantime, she is making me crazy!! Complains about everything. Tells me how to deal with every aspect of my life. Hands out backhanded compliments like "your hair looks better today than it did yesterday ."
I have been trying the "grey rock " approach. It does kinda shut her down, but I am so wound up from keeping my mouth shut that I can't sleep!

xrayjodib Feb 2020
Update!
The movers called and will be here tomorrow!!
Praise the Lord and pass the potatoes!!😁
NeedHelpWithMom Feb 2020
Great!
anonymous912123 Feb 2020
You can rent furniture, my brother & I did that for my mother when she went into AL, took over 4 weeks for most of her furniture to arrive and then several pieces were missing, another 3 weeks later, they arrived damaged.

If you let her continue to manipulate you, things will never get better. Just tell her what you are going to do, and do it. My mother said the same thing, we went ahead and now she is in AL and happy!

They pull every card out of the hat to get what they want. Be strong and good luck,

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AnnReid Feb 2020
It sounds as though you actually listen to what she says, so could you explain why you’re doing that? The safest way (for yourself) to manage someone who is doing what your mother is doing, is to remind yourself when involved in any discussion that she isn’t doing anything but “wording”.

When someone is wording they don’t need you to participate, and may not even expect interaction. Smile, nod, frown, and ignore.

The “crying” thing? You have described it as “uncontrollable”. Then stop wasting YOUR energy looking for a way to control it. If that’s what she’s choosing as a substitute for wording, write on a 3 X 5 card “We can talk when you stop crying”, hand it to her, AND LEAVE THE ROOM.

ARE you “trying to get rid of her”? I certainly would be. I would want her to be SAFE, monitored for self care and schedules, respected for who and what she is, and away from ME.

Presumably you’ve lived a healthy, independent life before she re-entered your life space. Through the stress and the changed burden of having responsibility for her, you’ve begun listening to comments that come from her damaged perception of you and your shared relationship.

Paying attention to her wording is costing YOU and not benefiting her. You can stop what you’re doing, and she really can’t stop what she’s doing.

So for survival, stop.

NeedHelpWithMom Feb 2020
Can you hire a sitter for awhile and take a break? Don’t allow her to lose sleep. The lack of sleep is only going to make it worse.

BarbBrooklyn Feb 2020
Have you considered a geriatric psychiatrist visit for her? Is she depressed?
xrayjodib Feb 2020
Yes she is depressed. I have talked to her many times about discussing antidepressants with her Doctor, but she says she doesn't want to take another medication.
Great advice! Now that she's up here I will be with her for Doctors appointments.
She'll be upset, but I will definitely bring it up.
Thanks!

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