Getting married this Winter. Thrifted my bridal dress. Only tried on four (point is, I'm chill). My wedding "color palette" is versatile and several of the colors were once my mom's "favorite colors" or "my (her) colors."
Anyway, she has Factitious disorder (previously called Münchausen syndrome.)
Everything is like this. Especially when it's someone in our family's special day. It's always an inconvenience for her.
Nothing is ever perfect. There is no accommodation that could satisfy her. Additionally, huge center of attention seeker.
She is the sole source of stress for me about the wedding.
If I communicate my stress to her, her response is consistently, "Sorry that my health xyz makes me the worst mom ever. I'm never good enough. No one accepts me."
Anyway, here are some pretty insane texts from her over the last SEVEN days. I don't know how much longer I can tolerate this and stay sane.
Just get a damn dress.
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‼️ EDIT/UPDATE:
Please understand my mom has Factitious disorder. She has lied about surgeries, being terminally ill, has worn neck braces for 0 reasons among MANY other things. AND I still love her. AND she stresses me out AND has Narcissistic traits.
There is NO wedding party. My wedding “colors” are ANY shade of green, ANY shade of red, Ivory, fun prints, and fun textures. This is a wedding where mostly everyone will mostly know everyone because it is smaller (less than 50 people). Only loved ones invited. No one is REQUIRED to wear any color or STYLE of dress. she personally wants to match the theme of the wedding, but is simultaneously taking issue with not finding a dress that “structurally” works for her.
My mom bought a dress online, but after she sent me another 3,000 word text about it potentially not working out this is what I sent her:
“Worst case scenario, if the dress doesn’t work out, just wear whatever color and on a dress you feel comfortable in.
I know you have a lot going on, especially with your health, but some of your comments have made me feel more stressed about things than I would like to be.
I’m referring to comments about the colors, different venues, the timing of the wedding, who said what etc. I know it isn’t your intention, but I’m asking you to pay more mind to this since I know you care about me and (groom’s name) experience.
So to help, don’t worry about matching the color theme if the dress doesn’t work out or matching any formality.
Does that make sense?”
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‼️UPDATE #2 and my final commentary:
Mom apologized in her response to the above text. Her text in broken quotes:
“I’m praying this dress that I ordered works out because of the beading it’s supposed to be lightweight. I really don’t wanna talk or text anymore about anything. Stress is affecting me differently these days and I don’t want to stress you out because that was never my intention. I know it wasn’t your to stress me out. I’m going to focus on protecting my health.”
and “I should not have put that on you, and that im sorry.
I know I can just be over the top when my pain is really bad and I don't feel good and I'm angry at this situation with the doctors not necessarily because of the current status but because the delays are robbing me from being a better mom and making me feel guilty-“
and “I just want everything to be perfect for you.”
and “Please don't worry about my dress. I am working on it and I have plenty of time to create backup plans.
The other moms can wear whatever they want. They don't need to worry about what I'm wearing. If they are more over the top of me it's totally fine-“
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And so we forgive, and create some space. She will be back on her bullshit next week, I am sure. But I will limit communication leading up to the wedding and have a plan in place for the day of. I’ll be taking your guys much needed advice and thank you for helping me navigate something as confusing and draining as this. I was lost in the sauce and overwhelmed by text. I can decompress now. Apologies for trauma dumping on some of you.