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At a loss with my mother

Started by WholeNewDrew, February 01, 2016, 10:26:35 PM

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WholeNewDrew

My mom is treating me very coldly today, trying to do anything she can to avoid talking to me. She's known that I've been battling trans issues for the last six years, I've gone to therapy and a few months ago expressed to her the imperative to start HRT (for the third time), to which she tells me that she needs to think about it before making a decision (Before making a decision that isn't hers about MY life). Things were okayish until I called her this morning and told her that I was getting my ears pierced, which I figured she might have a problem with, but would ultimately recognize that it's my own body. Tonight she burst into tears in front of my brother and sister because I chose to pierce them and said that they couldn't even imagine the things going on in her life right now (This is the only thing. Seriously.) and that she couldn't talk about it when my brother started pressuring her for answers.

First of all, I turn 20 in a week. She has no right to be upset with me for piercing my ears. Second, I understand that accepting this is hard, God knows I had a hard time with it. However, it's been SIX YEARS since I first told her, and she's still fighting me every step of the way to improving MY life.

I'm at a loss as to how I should handle this situation. I keep getting told to be patient, but I've waited too long for something I shouldn't have to wait for, to live my life as I need to. I'm not comfortable in my own home because of her. I'm frustrated and depressed and anxious and I don't know what I should do.
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Dena

My view is if it truly your home, everybody lives by your rules and those who have issues with the rules are welcome to live some place else. That is the rule I go by whenever I am under somebody else's roof.

The other issue is your mother is attempting to lay a guilt trip on you in order to get her way. She will continue to do so as long as she thinks that she can have her way. At this point, you should ignore this as it's like a child's temper tantrum or come back with a line like I already know how you feel about this but I love you any way. When she understands that these displays of emotions will get her nowhere, she may stop. It would help if your brothers and sisters were on board as well because she is trying to use them against you to have her way.

I understand how uncomfortable this makes you feel but your mother must never know or she will think she is winning.
Rebirth Date 1982 - PMs are welcome - Use [email]dena@susans.org[/email] or Discord if your unable to PM - Skype is available - My Transition
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sparrow

My mom flips out every time she learns something new about me.  Some people are just like that.  Parents can be the worst.  I still haven't told my mom about HRT, but she'll notice soon... ::)
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suzifrommd

Quote from: Olive on February 01, 2016, 10:26:35 PM
I'm at a loss as to how I should handle this situation.

Sometimes it is necessary to put some distance between us and people in our life if our relationship becomes toxic. I'm wondering if it's time to put some social and emotional distance between your mom and you, and let her bridge the gap when if/when she's ready.
Have you read my short story The Eve of Triumph?
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KathyLauren

I can see this being an issue six years ago, when you were presumably a minor living in her house.  It sounds like you are now living in your own house and, if you are legally an adult in the jurisdiction where you live, then go ahead and start your HRT.

Your mother has the right to be upset if she wants to.  Everyone has the right to feel whatever they feel.  But that should not stop you from living your life. 
2015-07-04 Awakening; 2015-11-15 Out to self; 2016-06-22 Out to wife; 2016-10-27 First time presenting in public; 2017-01-20 Started HRT!!; 2017-04-20 Out publicly; 2017-07-10 Legal name change; 2019-02-15 Approval for GRS; 2019-08-02 Official gender change; 2020-03-11 GRS; 2020-09-17 New birth certificate
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FTMDiaries

Ah yes, emotional blackmail: it can be such a potent weapon.

You've said before that you live in Iowa, which means you became an adult at age 18... so you're entitled to do what you want with your body and whilst your mother can (and will!) always have an opinion on such matters, her opinion doesn't actually carry any weight. Nor should it stop you from doing what you want to do with your life.

So why is she so upset about you piercing your ears? Well, she has probably spent the last 6 years clinging onto the hope that you're just going through a phase and that if she gives it enough time (and denies you for long enough), you'll get over it. But piercing your ears is a permanent thing, so she probably sees it as a definite step towards transition and that's what's hitting her hard.

When you started therapy a couple of years ago, I daresay she hoped that the therapist would 'fix' whatever is 'wrong' with you. It probably never occurred to her (or she didn't want to contemplate the possibility) that therapy could help you come to terms with being trans and would give you the courage to move towards transition, rather than steer you away from it like she no doubt wanted.

Bottom line: she's scared.

She's going through the stages of grief: she's grieving for the idea of who she wanted you to be, and she's trying to cling onto it. You, on the other hand, know that what she wanted for you is incorrect and you urgently need to head in the right direction. By all means acknowledge her emotional reaction, but make it clear that you need to take action now. As an adult, you're entitled to see any doctor you want, and have any treatment you want, without parental consent. You asked your mother about insurance in September: she's had 5 months to think about anything she needs to think about, so now she's just stalling. So call her bluff: ask her if she has any specific questions before you book your doctor's appointment; suggest she attends a therapist appointment with you; print out a bunch of resources and hand them to her. If she can't come up with any legitimate questions or says she needs more time, just say 'OK, if you don't have any questions I'm booking a doctor's appointment today, and you can come back to me when you think of something'. If possible, get your dad involved, particularly when it comes to health insurance.

Then as long as you're able to use your family's health insurance, just book your own appointments to see the doctors you need. If you can't use the family's health insurance, see if there are other ways of financing the treatment you need (can you go to Planned Parenthood, for example?). It's none of her business (or anyone else's) what you're seeing the doctor for or what they prescribe for you. You're an adult now, so that information is private.

If appropriate, come out to your siblings and extended family so your mother no longer feels the burden (and power!) of hiding a 'dirty secret'; take that power into your own hands. And do consider telling her what you told us: that it's been six years since you came out and the problem is only getting worse - and the longer you leave it, the worse it gets. Tell her that these unnecessary waits are putting your life and health in danger. Tell her that her behaviour is making you feel uncomfortable and unsupported. Tell her you're going through a huge, traumatic, life-changing event and you'd much rather do it with her by your side. And tell her that you need her love, support and understanding - and that her resistance is only hurting both of you. Consider telling her that within the next 5 years you'll be fully transitioned and happily living in your new role, and that as you both look back at this point in your lives, she'll wonder why she made such a big fuss when the end result has made you a happier, more fulfilled, more wonderful version of yourself.

Whether or not you start HRT is not your mother's decision. But as long as she perceives you as a child, she'll continue to think it is.





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itsApril

-April
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JMJW

If you tell her you're getting your ears pierced, she's going to be right in thinking her approval matters a great deal. And will therefore use that to control the situation.

But yeah I don't understand the whole hanging around grown 20 year old children and not letting them get on with it. 


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WholeNewDrew

FTMDiaries: You hit the nail on the head in every regard. I'd come to the same conclusion on every matter you brought up today after I'd cooled down and gotten some rest. My sister told me this morning that our mom has recently been having blood pressure issues on a massive level, I assume due to the stress she's getting from my situation. I decided that, while I'm not going to let her pressure me into anything and it's not my fault that she's reacting so badly, if she were to have a stroke or heart attack as a result of hypertension I wouldn't ever be able to forgive myself. I figured that the best way to alleviate tension would be to remove the burden of secrecy, so I took the plunge and told two of my three siblings today and was met by acceptance and support (But honestly, that deserves its own thread). I was trying for all three today, but I didn't have the chance to talk to my other brother. Tomorrow everything will be out in the open and she won't have to bottle everything up and can discuss it with our family if she feels the need to.

itsApril: You took the expression right out of my mouth :P

JMJW: I made it clear that I wasn't asking for her approval. "I'm getting my ears pierced today, I just thought I'd let you know so you aren't totally surprised when you come home." If I'd have blindsided her, as ridiculous as it may be, she would have completely lost it.

Thank you everybody for your input, it's very comforting to know that I'm not alone in these troubles :) Things are on the up-and-up and I expect her to come around sooner rather than later now that she can vent to the rest of my family!
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Adchop

Quote from: Dena on February 01, 2016, 10:53:01 PM
My view is if it truly your home, everybody lives by your rules and those who have issues with the rules are welcome to live some place else. That is the rule I go by whenever I am under somebody else's roof.

The other issue is your mother is attempting to lay a guilt trip on you in order to get her way. She will continue to do so as long as she thinks that she can have her way. At this point, you should ignore this as it's like a child's temper tantrum or come back with a line like I already know how you feel about this but I love you any way. When she understands that these displays of emotions will get her nowhere, she may stop. It would help if your brothers and sisters were on board as well because she is trying to use them against you to have her way.

I understand how uncomfortable this makes you feel but your mother must never know or she will think she is winning.

Very wise advice. My mother isn't in favor of gay marriage, but she is supportive and loving toward my nephew, who is gay. He comes to visit from time to time with his husband, & they understand that she doesn't want any PDA in her home. That's really about the only rule she has. Otherwise she treats them with the kindness you would expect a grandmother to.

Also, give your mother time. It's hard for parents to accept who we are sometimes. The only thing you can hope is that she supports you, if not so much the choices you make.

I was always very close to my mother growing up and still am(We talk almost every day). She sometimes had issues with some of my decisions, but in time she came to understand that it was important to support me, even if she didn't agree with my choices.
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2fish

I'm not close to my family. Every time I tried to tell them anything I was met with blank stares. Years ago I came out as liking women. Of course they freaked. This time coming out would be easy. My siblings knew from the start and accepted me. My parents, pft, I didn't even bother telling them. This gave me more control of the situation. They found out when t started to take effect. I really didn't care what they thought because transition is a personal fight between your own body and mind. That is hard enough. Why add gas to an already hot fire?! Sure my parents have given me the boot, but they never said it was because I was transitioning but we all know it really was the reason. I personally think they were uncomfortable with the whole sex change thing. I was given 30 days to move so I found a place, moved out and now I visit once a month. It is what it is. We don't talk about it, they misgender me and use my birth name. But they know that out in the world I am who I am. This is the life I was given and the family I was born into. Maybe one day they will understand. I won't force them to do anything. I pass as male and if they call me a female people look at my family and feel bad for them. Because apparently strangers are more forgiving to people like me. I've had people come up to me and tell me that they tried talking with my parents but it's been no use. I tell them to just let them be. My parents just don't understand. They love me, I know they do. They simply just don't understand.

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Kylo

She sounds too clingy if she can't even handle you getting your own ears pierced. Sounds obsessed with an image in her head of you and having you live up to it instead of letting you live your own life.

I don't think clingy parents that are eternally indulged ever let go. If you keep allowing it, it will go on forever.
"If the freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter."
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SophieSakura

While she has no right to tell you what to do with your own body, she has a right to be upset.  But not to be angry or mean to you.

I can understand that she probably is scared of losing her child because she thinks you'll be different to the person she knows, etc.  And it's very hard for others to accept, maybe even almost as hard as for the person who is trans...at times.  But it's also her duty to accept you and be a good mother, because she must love you very much and that's the right thing to do.  I'm sure she's not doing it out of cruelty, but she is failing in being there for you and that must be very very hard for you and I'm sorry that you have to go through that. :(

She is your mom, she carried you and gave birth to you and raised you (well that's an assumption, sorry if not true), so she probably loves you very much and hopefully will come round and be there for you and accepting of you.  I imagine she's going through a kind of grieving for who she thought you were, but she will hopefully realise you're the same person still and that she loves you and needs to be nicer to keep you in her life.
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SophieSakura

I would probably tell her that, while you know it must be hard for her too, that she has no say in what you do with your body, and she has to accept you if she loves you and wants you around.
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