Feyulthon
Disciple of Prayer
This relationship issue has been on my mind for months now without seeing an end in sight - a prayer for peace on my mind and heart , and for mental freedom that would let me thrive and live as God intends would be so appreciated. My situation is a bit complicated - I am a solo mum by choice as I became pregnant using a sperm donor. I know some might find that unBiblical, and I do sometimes wonder if I should have tried harder to find a partner, but that's not really what I need prayer for- it's my relationship with my own mother that is currently hurting me. When I was younger my mum used alot of guilt tripping and passive aggression on me which caused a great degree of shame, anxiety and overthinking in my life. She didn't do this on purpose and she had alot of tough experiences herself. Understanding this has helped me forgive her and I have tried to heal and grow from the past, although at times I still suffer from some anxiety and perfectionism. After things getting very bad, culminating in a year of no contact between us, my relationship with my mum finally seemed to genuinely heal. She stopped trying to control me with guilt and we really did enjoy each other's company as equal adults. I actually think of this relationship redemption as the single biggest miracle God has done in my life and have thanked him many times for it over the years. Things seemed so improved that when I decided to have a child alone I decided to move closer to her for some support with child rearing. I really wish I hadn't done that but as I have a mortgage here now I feel stuck with the choice. Old behaviours in my mum have unfortunately surfaced in a new way since I have my son - she makes me feel very ashamed about asking for any childcare at all (my son is 19 months old now and she has only taken him for an hour a handful of times) and often makes negative comments about my parenting. I don't have any friends nearby since moving so she has an unhealthy level of involvement in almost every aspect of my life as we see each other every day. I find this difficult but of course as this situation is a result of my own (quite radical) choices, I just bite my tongue and have been doing for months now, although it brings back terrible memories of doing so when I was younger. I have gone to sleep thinking every night for months now about how I have done the wrong things - God gave me freedom including a redeemed relationship with my mum and I squandered it to get help with my son that isn't even that helpful. I don't see her changing and I don't see a way of me being able to move house again. I don't think cutting contact with her is n option as we live so close now. I am just weary of this situation and see no way out at all. It is robbing me of the joy of my much wanted son. Please pray - when I can't see a way, God knows a way and I beg Him that way will be made clear soon. If I have to set better boundaries with my mum please pray I will be strong and know what to say. I just want a life without fear or shame in human relationships, so that I can feel at peace and thrive as a mum and as the person God created me to be.