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Rockstar August 2023

Advice: Abusive Mother & Enabling Father

Elly, on March 19, 2021 at 4:28 PM Posted in Family and Relationships 1 8

First and foremost: The subject of marriage and discussing a wedding has come up with my boyfriend. He has seen my family dynamic for almost a decade and has been with me through some very turbulent times. We are on the same page about putting each other first. We have not set a wedding date yet as we are going through potential wedding costs, and creating a guest list. We are considering a smaller, intimate wedding instead of an elopement.

The Situation:
I would ideally want my father to walk me down the aisle, but I don't foresee a way to invite him to my wedding without my mother coming, even if I were to explicitly make it clear she isn't welcomed.

Background:

My mother was very abusive growing up: Mainly in the verbal and emotional sense, sometimes physical. My father enables her behavior, and so do my aunts (to a degree) and my maternal grandmother. They all resort to the line of thinking of, "That's your mother/ That's who she is/ Just accept it/ Just brush it off". Sometimes it has led to gaslighting, "Why are you so sensitive?/ I don't think it happened that way". She has usually made family gatherings around the holidays awkward and uncomfortable with inappropriate remarks about weight, habits, etc. I have tried to heal my relationship with her on multiple occasions. She is the kind of narcissist to try and shift focus on herself.

There are only a few times when my mom has been selectively protective, kind, generous, and positive. All of these times have been on an unpredictable basis.

My sister and I are on the same page when it comes to avoiding her, and all of my family (my mom's side included) only sees her during the holidays, or rare family gatherings.

I am very weary of her saying that if my boyfriend and I were to get married, she would pay for the wedding with my father. If I opted to have a smaller wedding, they would help me make a down payment on a home.

I don't want to indulge her in this, because I know she would make it a point to guilt trip me, or attempt to insert herself or be inappropriate in moments that are supposed to be meaningful milestones like dress shopping.

I know my father would be crushed if he didn't walk me down the aisle, and it would create some family drama.

I don't think creating two ceremonies on different days is financially feasible for my boyfriend and I, especially if we invited more of our extended families.

Potential Solution:

I do get along well with my boyfriend's family, and I have considered asking his uncle to walk me down the aisle, and/or walk with my sister.

What Should I Do?

-Has anyone experienced a family dynamic like this? What did you do?

-Any suggestions or creative ideas are appreciated more than you know.






8 Comments

Latest activity by Kimberly, on March 20, 2021 at 4:53 PM
  • Samantha
    VIP October 2022
    Samantha ·
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    As sad as it is, your dad is *choosing* to be crushed by enabling your mom.
    It is so so hard with one parent really abusive and another less abusive (enabling and not protecting you from her abuse is also abusive even though that is so hard to think about.)
    There is no “right” answer here. Just whatever give you peace.
    • Reply
  • Michelle
    Rockstar December 2022
    Michelle ·
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    Many parents are like this unfortunately. Cut the toxicity from your life and those who enable it. Do not invite them to your wedding. Walk down the aisle with your sister or an in law you are close to.

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  • Rebecca
    Master August 2019
    Rebecca ·
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    I'm so sorry.

    My mother is very similar, though, thankfully, my parents are divorced.

    Unfortunately, if your father enables her, you can't avoid her. You might very well have to go no-contact.

    I can only urge you to go to therapy to work this out. It has helped me tremendously.

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  • E
    Rockstar August 2023
    Elly ·
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    You're right. No matter how I go about it, this is truly the case. And I know he would try to convince me she will "behave" if he talks to her, but she steamrolls him anyway. Its sad.

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  • Samantha
    VIP October 2022
    Samantha ·
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    My heart is sad for you. I hope you can find peace with this and have the wedding of your dreams.
    I’m kinda old now and want to reassure you - you can build a wonderful fulfilling and joyful life, with lots of love, despite your mother. It never quite leaves us but it can fade.
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  • E
    Rockstar August 2023
    Elly ·
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    You are very kind. Its been a handful of years since I have had much contact. It has been better that way. I have even considered a "micro mini" wedding closer to home or by some of my other relatives.

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  • Mrs. Spring
    Master April 2021
    Mrs. Spring ·
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    Yes, we avoided certain immediate family from coming by not having a wedding at all and eloping instead.
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  • Kimberly
    Super March 2021
    Kimberly ·
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    Honestly my recommendation would be to walk down the aisle alone. While your dad does not deserve that role because of his enabling your mother to treat you badly, I wouldn’t go out of my way to “replace” him in that role.
    Not inviting your parents to your wedding is perfectly ok in this situation. And while it may upset your mother and father, the reason behind it is 100% on them not you. Their actions have led your family to this position and this situation. Do what is best for you and FH and hold your head high because you haven’t done anything wrong. Good luck.
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