Should I cut ties with my mother?

My FIL is an alcoholic. My hubby tried for year and tried to get other family on-board to confront him. No-one would help. His dad is a lovely man but my hubby couldn’t watch it anymore and cut ties for his own mental health.

Get her some help before it’s to late!

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What pills? Anxiety? Pain? Illegal? Prescribed? What kinds of pills?

After loosing my mother in march i will always tell everyone to love cherish every moment you can with your parents while you have them cause once they are gone your world is changed forever and there is nothing you can do about it

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Toxic is toxic no matter who it is, if she refuses to see she has a problem and therefore doesn’t get help id cut ties until she does

Cut the ties before it’s too late and has caused mental damage to you and your children. A toxic person will never see an issue, they only see where there next pop is coming from.

In my personal experience I wouldnt cut ties completely because I’ve seen how it destroyed my family but a break from it wouldn’t he horrible if you explained to her why and if it is truly stressing. I would leave it alone for a time period. If you revisited the situation and you get the same results I would consider doing what ever is best for your family. I have a situation now that I can see a family member but the stress isn’t being brought around me because they know where I stand.

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My mom was the same. She was horribly abusive and it was really hard for me as a kid. I made the right decision of staying and living with her, while my dad left us. It was the right decision because 13 months after my dad left, she died. I was 14. It took me a long time to realize the person I was living with was not my mom, the person abusing me was not my mom, and that my mom was dead way before her body was. Trauma was really hard to get over, and I’m still dealing with bits of it 8 years later. It’s really up to you with what you can live with.

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I barely talk to mine. Do what’s best for you, don’t pay attention to the people that try to guilt you into talking to her.

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Depends on if the pills are prescribed to her and if she’s taking them properly
If she’s getting them illegally just to get high tell her rehab or don’t contact you or your family again

Your mom needs help. She has to be assessed well by a competent doctor. Don’t leave her just like that. Let her know you want to help because you are her daughter and you love her.

I’ve been in a similar situation with my father. I talked to him FINALLY how I felt but it went back to the same old same old. I was tired of hurting and my kids started hurting too. I cut ties… it was very hard and still is but my mental health is better from it. And the pain hurts less over time. Sucks but you need to do what’s best for you and your kids :heart: good luck!

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This was me 5 years ago, only I cared about my kids and grandkids very much. My kids and I fought a lot , I didn’t wanna admit I had an addiction to prescription meds. I finally reached a breaking point, and was hospitalized and detoxed. My kids stood beside me through it all, and we are all very close!

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I can tell you this…when youre addicted to pills n dont have any, unfortunately you feel so bad you cant stand to be arnd yourself let alone people you love babe. I know its no excuse but its a reality. Terrible way to have to live life. Unfortunately if taking the kids to see her on an “up” day as opposed to a bad day, take them on the good day. Kinda seems like enabling her, but at least the kids can see her. You definitely shldnt have to plan your life around her addiction. Sounds as tho she needs help. Sorry youre going thru this. Shes your mom,keep loving her. Being an addict, having that disease, isnt easy for anyone. Hope things work out. You n your kids need her n she def needs you all. Prayers n positives.

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Remind yourself that removing yourself and your family from a toxic environment/relationship is ok. When they start their denial and heavy substance abuse trust me there is no way it will be any better

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My mom is an addict as well. I live far from her so it helps. But I call and check on her but its nothing like it used to be. When I had my daughyer I tried so hard to include her and let her be a part of my daughter’s life. But my daughter comes first. I dont want her seeing things that I saw growing up. I want her her be innocent as long as she can be. Protect your kids. Have the conversation with your mom about why you need space and if she understands than great. If not. Its on her not on you.

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“Pills” is kind of a vague description. Is she in physical pain due to a chronic issue? Is she on anti-depressants? Does she need assistance from a physician?

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Does your mother have a chronic pain condition? Plenty of people get confused and think it’s addiction when it’s really just self treatment. These days it’s getting harder and harder to get a doctor who will actually help. This is coming from someone who does take pain meds every day because I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. If I don’t have my pain meds, I am pretty unbearable to be around. Not because I’m an addict, but because I’m in pain! I have family members who don’t belive that my illness is real, but I don’t care. I know it’s real, and so do my doctors.

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Being in sobriety and knowing the signs. She needs to want help. You can try an ultimatum but it doesn’t always work. I would love her from afar until she wants help. Honestly speaking you need to do what’s good for you and your children. Focus on that. Good luck hun and here if you ever want to talk.

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If she has you that emotionally drained it’s time to move on. My aunt is a pill junkie. Bad. She takes around 100 pills a day they range from multiple psych drugs, pain killers, muscle relaxers, and god knows what else. Shes been flagged at multiple pharmacies and hospitals for drug seeking. She used to be my best friend. But the drugs have taken that person away. She is only nice when she wants something and god forbid you don’t give her what she wants. I refused to give her money and she called child services on me 4 times. I have cut her off. She has turned into this heinous, manipulative, selfish person that doesn’t care for anyone, and doesn’t care who she hurts as long as she gets what she wants. Don’t let your mom do that to you. It’s not worth it.

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I wouldn’t cut ties ,rather than keep a distance for a while. She has to make the effort and you have to make it known that you care and want better for her. Addiction is terrible and requires a lot of patience.

Cut ties, you and your kids don’t need that. Nothing you can really do because pills are more important to her than you guys and that won’t change until she gets the help herself. She may be your mother but I sure wouldn’t want my daughter to be exposed to that and I wouldn’t want to deal with it.

Love the sinner… hate the sin.
You love your momma… and she does love you, she is just experiencing something that you don’t understand… but that dosent mean you or your kids have to deal with emotional abuse either…
Love her. Let her know you love her… but do what’s best for you and your babies.

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Cut ties with her in the long run it will only benefit you and your children she is hurting you and will them one day as well. I know its going to be one of the hardest things you could do but it will be so much more peaceful for you. You won’t hurt so much she will only change when she is ready you can’t make somebody change. My mother is a selfish person and has hurt me my whole life and always seems to weezle back in because she has my heart but I am so much happier when she is out of my life and maybe one day ill be strong enough to brake the hold completely she has on me. I wish you nothing but the best. We are soon moving 800 miles away so that will help me get away.

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You need to protect yourself AND YOUR HEART first and foremost. I would tell her you’re scared for her but you want stand for being mistteated any longer. When she gets the help she obviously needs then maybe you can rebuild your relationship. But until then I say cut ties.

My mom was addicted to pills all my childhood it got worse and led to other things and my childhood was completely ruined I was in the system I been beat neglected everything you can imagine I been through it in 24 years my mother dont talk to me or her grandchild unless she wants money I kept putting it in my head shes my mother I just have to deal with it until a year or so ago I completely cut ties because there is no reason I should allow her to pull my heart out anymore and to protect my child away from her negativity honestly life has been so much more peaceful she never calls anymore vice versa people say I’m mean for doing my mother that way but little do they know the pain she has caused since I was born sometimes you have to put yourself before anybody else and if you and your kid is really important to her she will do what’s right and get herself clean

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I’m so sorry for you. My sister was addicted to pills, also. I say was because the pills killed her. My youngest sister and I talked to her Dr and finally got her off the pills but she went behind our back and got another Dr to prescribe her what she wanted. She was raising her 2 grandsons but it was actually my mom and I raising them. The last few months of her life she lived with me and I told her that she was going to die if she kept up with the pills and she told me she didn’t care. I said I guess you think those pills care about you and are your family and she said she liked the pills. She was even stealing our dad’s fantanyl pain patches. I found the fentanyl and took them to the police station. She was taking the fentanyl and also taking the pain pills, she almost died from overdosing. You need to protect yourself and your children from your mom until she gets clean. I would talk to mom on the phone and limit personal interaction.

First of all she cares about them ALL the time. She loves them ALL the time.

Her addiction; however, keeps her from being able to show it.

It’s important that your kids realize that they are loved 100% of the time…but her illness from drugs is the problem and that your mother needs help.

Sometimes, we have to love people when they’re not able to see the harm that they are doing to themselves and those around them.

You most definitely may have to cut ties for your own sanity and their safety, but always let them (and yourself) know that it’s not the “real her” on her bad days. It’s the addiction.

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Giving an ultimatum to an addict won’t help anyone, her priorities aren’t right at the moment. Don’t take her actions personal, try to see how you can help her to get better. If you need to distance yourself, do it. You can still show empathy and help from a distance to protect your family.

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My mother is a drunk, I know it’s not pills but it’s still the same she is the same way, I finally cut ties with her and I mean it hurts but I am more at peace with the fact that she no longer lies to my children about doing things with them, and no more late night phone calls and her bashing me as a mother and a person. If you have asked her to get help and she refuses I would say to cut ties and be at peace with the fact that your children will not have to have the same empty and resentment towards their grandmother like you do your mother. It will not be easy I promise you that but try to find some peace with it for your children and when they are old enough you can explain to them why you cut ties with her

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My mom is a 4 year recovering alcoholic and prescription pill addict. I never cut ties. I sought counseling (because addiction affects the entire family) and set healthy boundaries. It’s been hard but by not cutting ties I was there when she almost died and hit her rock bottom. I was able to be strong when she wasn’t. We’ve never been closer.

My kids weren’t close to her. It’s difficult to be close to an addict. They lie, manipulate…sometimes even steal from you to support their addiction. But my kids were not damaged. Their life experience was not mine. I often compare them, but the truth is, mine isn’t what my parents experienced, either. Kids need to learn how to maneuver an imperfect life with damaged people. You can be the one to show them. So my advice is to seek help, draw healthy boundary lines and do what you can. But don’t cut ties completely. You may be the one in a position to help her when she realizes she needs it.

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My biological dad is an alcoholic, has been my whole life. I cut ties with him after I had my son because I didn’t want him to go through the hurt and disappointment that I did growing up. That was almost 8 years ago. I noticed that even though I wish he would change, he never will. Good luck to you and I hope you can figure things out.

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You are in a very difficult situation. My daughter was married to a man who had a co-dependent relationship with his mother and brother who were all on drugs. They took her for everything she had and sent her into a depression and anxiety spiral that she is only just now coming out of. If she won’t ask for help, you need to distance yourself. Good luck.

I left my addictive husband for many reasons, but one reason was because I didn’t want my children subjected to that kind of behavior. Another was I didn’t want my children thinking the way he treated people was ok, acceptable, or something that has to be tolerated. Children need to observe us setting boundaries, even the difficult ones. Children observe much more than we give them credit for.

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The safety of your children should be priority!! That includes keeping them away from the destructive behaviors of an addict. You are not responsible for your mom but you do have an obligation to your children. Sounds like you already know what you need to do anyway. Hopefully having some support can help you stay strong with your decision!!! It is not your job to get her better, that will only happen if she is ready for that.

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You can’t change her …unless she wants to quit it ain’t happening. Up to you if you want to accept her as she is or cut ties! But put your wellbeing and your family first…I know how it is

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If your mother has an illness they she needs to be under a doctors care. If this is just an addiction then she can try and get her help. If she refuses then you need to let her do what she decides and don’t take it personally. Addiction is a very hard thing to us who don’t understand why. It’s just like being and alcoholic. Until they say they need help. You are limited. Keep tabs on her for safety and let your kids know she loves them but is going through some hard times.

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I’m just going to go off of what you said… you state she has a addiction and is not treating you or your children right when she is sober. My advice is speak with her about her addiction set clear boundaries and don’t budge. Let her know you love her and are there to support her in her recovery but won’t watch her destroy herself and damage you and your children in the process.

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Drug Abuse is a disease. It changes the brain and the way you perceive information and relay it. It is often an endless circle of hurt, need, and depression. Often times addicts don’t even know where to start because the thought of going through an even tougher time (recovery) while already being on a rough path (addiction) is unfathomable. Denial is easier. She is your mother and may need help just like she may have helped you during your whole life, even if you didn’t know you needed it. Consider trying to help her find the right path. In terms of your children, there is nothing more sobering and educational than watching a drug addict. Talk to your children. Talk to your mom. Offer help and explanations. And if none of that works and it’s affecting your family very poorly then love from a distance.

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You need to set the standard for which your children will use in their life… There is a difference between forgiving and forgetting and what is toxic to your children and it sounds like this could be toxic for them to witness and be a part of.

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I was that mom,you need to do what’s best for your family now,font cut ties but set boundaries for sure

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My prayers for you! instead of cutting ties, try setting and keeping boundaries. It might be, mom i love you, want the best for you and our relationship however this behavior hurts me and the kids, thus I am only going to be around you when … or when you can manage said actions or behaviors. And stick to it, I set boundaries and walked out on people and ended conversations when they couldn’t control themselves. And now we all have a wonderful relationships.

Nope. You are the only one who’s had to deal with an addicted relative. Probably the reason why you feel compelled to ask complete strangers their opinions about your personal relationship with your mother. I wish her all the best.

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I love my mom from a distance. It’s the best I can do in order to have a happy, healthy life for myself and my family.

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Cut tiee otherwise it could cause damage to your kids by confusing them & making them think that normal. You dont deserve it neither do they she can get clean if she wants too anybody can its less expensive than buying pills it

I been thru this myself I had addictions. You have to change in order to have any relationship with anybody. Get her help then build on it . It take lots of hard work and trust. I’m not perfect still a work in progress. Good luck.

Just stay away from her, no need to tell her why she will know. As long as you let her come an go that’s what she will do, if she ever gets off the pills she will understand why you stayed away an maybe at that time you an her an your children can have a relationship. But until then it’s just not in the best interest of you an the family

Don’t break tied yet, join the group for children of addicts call your local AA and they will help you. Your mom has an illness called addiction and needs help even though she doesn’t believe it. You need help in dealing with her addiction and you can’t do it alone, been there , after a few meetings you will have a better idea of what you should do for you, she had to do for her. May you find the comfort you need dealing with this disease, you will also be helped in finding the words to explain grandma’s indifference to them. God bless

All honesty, parents will do this to a child. It’s called tough love. An addict needs to want to stop their bad habit. They can not stop because you want to. They need to stop because they want to. She needs to hit rock bottom before she realizes she has an problem. You cutting ties actually might help her realize the problem.

I haven’t spoken to my mother in 6 months and I feel so much healthier because of it. It is okay to walk away, get her out of your head. You need to take care of you.

She needs to seek help if there will ever be a healthy relationship with you. You should not be expected to carry the weight of the relationship she should earn it

She is sick and needs help. She has to want it. If she doesn’t that’s not on you. Your only job is to protect your babies, even if that means from your own mother!

Sometimes Family can be toxic. Even if you love them you need to pick what is better for you. My mother and I have a dangling relationship. It’s hit and miss constantly. She only calls to hear her own voice and tell about her and has no time for whats going on with me. If she does listen It’s only to tell me I am wrong and stupid and why I am such.

Your kids cannot be around that because that could effect them mentally and emotionally. They may take on to the habit and that’s not healthy for them nor for you.

You can still love your mom from afar. Just because you are not around doesn’t mean you don’t love her or care. Pray for her, and keep your distance. Keep your love on, but your physical self away. When she realizes everything she loved and thats loved her is no longer around it may help her to realize her issue needs to be put to an end. Give her time to heal and don’t enable her problem.

You are strong and you Love your mom. You don’t need to be afraid to help her in the best way you can. Other than sending her to seek help. If she will listen.

What a sad situation for both of you. Unfortunately, cutting ties may be what you need to so. Addicts love their families but their addiction keeps them steered in a different direction and they have to see the other road themselves. I don’t know how old your children are but learning about addiction I think is not a bad thing…she loves all of you…bless you all…remember, one day at a time!!

I have not been there but my mom is dead and I miss her daily…You need to protect your child’s… explain to them that your mom is sick she has a disease that she needs help and when she finally decides to get help they will get to know their grandma…for you you can help her with the emergency things so you can have peace of mind that she is as well as she can be until you gets help…good luck

Do what’s best for you and your family. If it was me I would tell her that I wasn’t going to have anything to do with her until she could get clean. I have had to do the same thing with my mother but under different circumstances.

Yes I have. Walk away. Easier said than done. Toxic relationships are lethal to health of you and your family. Took me 58 years. So much damage. Walk away.

I’m in the same situation and I have grieved my mother while she’s still alive. I wish I had some good advice for you and I feel your pain. Every situation is different and there may still be hope for her. I’ve lost hope in mine. I hope you find some peace in the storm. Hugs.

She is the only one that can get addiction help. Cut the ties until she is getting help. Tell her straight out this is the only way. She only cares for herself that is addiction. Try calling her MD for help.

I understand completely the situation you are in. My mom is addicted to pain pills and basically whatever she can get her hands on. I’ve dealt with it my whole life and I myself was an addict because she introduced me to pain pills for the first time. But Im going on three years clean and wouldn’t go back for anything! She want change unless she is ready believe me I know ! Some advice I can give you is set your boundaries with her like she can’t come around you or the family unless she is sober and pray and have faith❤️. I wish you and your family the very best!!

All I have to say is don’t feel bad for taking care of YOUR family. My mother made my life hell. I kept trying. It never worked. I went to her funeral to laugh in her face and make sure she was dead. You are allowed. Be HAPPY! Good luck! P.s. still not sad, still don’t feel bad. Been over a year.

Coming from the same heart breaking experience, you must do what’s best for you and your babies. Cutting ties is heart breaking, but it’s the best thing you can do. Focus on your babies, and what’s best for them, and not trying to explain why grandma is or isn’t around or when she is around, she’s not the same every time. Nobody wants their children to be without their grandmother and no one should be without a mother, but at the same time, that kind of situation when pills are involved, is no way for anyone to live. Only you can come to terms with walking away. And it is hard.
You’ll feel guilty, even, but you have to do what’s best for you and your babies :two_hearts:

My Aunt who actually raised me struggled for years with pills its unfortunate cause the Dr she had kept upping her over the years never telling her the long term affects of addiction. Then all of sudden they cur her dose to weean her off them but she turned to friends and the streets and just took more an more til she over dosed she OD a few time but finally realized she had No control over it at all anymore and finally seemed treatment. Its not right how many people these Dr. Got hooked on these medications and then left them to suffer when they finally realized you can’t just stop them. Smh Dont give up she needs u more now then ever talk about getting help and be there when shes ready but don’t isolate her from you or the kids. She needs you to be there more than ever Best wishes :heartbeat:

Please don’t give up on your mom! She will need to decide to get help but if you can show her that your willing to help her get there and stand by her side she will realize that she can do it.

She has to want to help herself and she will realize that when you push family members away because of the person who you are on the stuff mean and ugly you have a family to take care of hopefully they will realize that you tried to deal with it before it is to late praying for you and your family and all

Be safe, make boundaries, but she is your mom, love her, pray for her, be there for her but not at the risk of you or your children’s health and welfare. Balance and boundaries.

Toxic is toxic family or not never been in your situation I would hate to have to make the decision to cut ties but it might be for the best if you do

Every situation is different, but I think keeping your children at bay is best. Unless she is consistent with you she can’t be with them. If your kids are old enough explain she is sick. I then would have limited contact with her until she decides to change her ways. You can’t change an addict. You can only protect yourself from their behavior.

Your mother is an addict. She has a disease. I would encourage you to check out a Nar-Anon meeting as soon as possible, as well as encouraging her to attend an NA meeting.

My father is an addict and an alcoholic. From experience it’s harder having my children close to him. He got sober-ish and it gave me the chance to have them meet him and visit occasionally, but he went back to his old ways quick. I have a distant (facebook) relationship with him but unfortunately unless he changes my children do not deserve to be around that. They know him a little and that’s most likely how I’ll keep it. Growing up around that was horrible, I couldn’t make my kids endure that aswell. He has not met my most recent baby either and I think it’s much much better this way.

She’s your mother don’t hurt herself or her by breaking ties with her. One day she’ll be gone forever and you will miss you so very much. You may have to explain to your children about her illnesses and keep them away from her at the moment depending on their age.

Tell her that if she doesn’t stop with the pills that you are cutting her out of yours and your children’s lives. Be truthful. Sometimes the truth hurts.

As a recovering addict with 14 years sobriety, the answer is yes, you need to cut her off completely until she gets the help she needs. You need to go to AA or NA to help you thru everything. Reach out if you need to talk to anyone.

You can offer help but until she’s ready to except it and make a change she will always be like that. Toxic is toxic

My mother has been an addict for quite awhile. We used to be very close, inseparable really. But her addiction has made her into a person I don’t even recognize anymore. I cut off all contact 2 years ago. It was hard. Especially because I got pregnant with my 2nd this year, and when I have her next month, it is going to be even harder without her here. But it was also the best choice I made. She assaulted me, while I was holding my son, and that was it for me. I know I’m my heart that if she was sober, that would have never happened, she was very loving growing up. But I couldn’t risk my son being hurt. My son is young, so I just explained that he can’t see her because she is sick. He doesn’t even remember her now. Put your littles first. Neither of you could live with yourself if she hurt them. Even by accident.

My mom was on drugs & I had just had my first child and I never went to see her or anything while she was on drugs. On my first Mother’s Day I found her walking at night bc I almost hit her (it was dark & in the country with no street lights) I tried to get her in the car but she was so doped up she scared me honestly . So I left , went back home to my boy & cried bc it was something I’d never experienced before . My sister told her about it and after that a week or so later she was admitted to the hospital, would have died if my sister didn’t find her when she did. So I took my son to see her there & after that she decided to clean herself up. If you’re mother cares about you or her grandchildren enough she will get cleaned up . I wouldn’t want my kids around that at all & wouldn’t take them around until she got cleaned up. & if she don’t get cleaned up she clearly doesn’t care about y’all and doesn’t deserve to be in your or your babies lives. Don’t expose them to that.

I had to cut ties with my toxic parent. It was better in the end for my family. You don’t want your kids thinking that behavior is ok

So proud of you Angie! You weathered so many storms & came out of them stronger. I know how grateful your Mom must be because you NEVER GAVE UP!!!

Stay by your mom. She carried you for 9 months took care of you even longer. Step up and help her while giving your kids a golden lesson on why drugs are bad. Do not abandon someone who if was healthy would never abandon you! #almost1yearclean

I was in a similar situation with my own mom years ago when my 4 kids where under 10. Anyway, she got into drugs, even tried to kill herself on them. I had her committed, since she didn’t want to help herself, I took it a step farther. My mom is now clean and has been been for 12 years now. So all I’m saying is that this may be a way. Or not :woman_shrugging:

If you continue to have a relationship you need to set and maintain some boundaries . . . Also, seek help from mental health professionals.

When family choose their own selfish options (addiction or not), it’s your job as a parent to take the high road and lead by example…

She needs help professionally and has to understand she has a problem and you need to focus on you and your family before you get a mental breakdown give her an ultimatum she has to decide

Well like it depends. If shes in unbearable pain asking how the kids are doing might not be first thing on her mind.

She brings nothing to your life but pain…tell her to give you a call when she loves you more than the pills

Does she have medical issues or is she buying on the street? Some people with legit medical issues need medicine. I broke my neck all the way through. As someone who lost both parents, put up boundaries but don’t give up. Don’t live with that regret once she passes away of things not said or done

My husband’s mother is an alcoholic, him deciding to cut ties with her was the best thing that could have happened to us.

Your kids come first. I personally wouldnt allow that type of behavior around my children.
If she is only acting her part most of the time, its not fair to your kids to wonder why. I would tell her to get help if she wants to be around you guys. If she doesnt, you know where you stand in her life. Wishy washy family is damaging and addictive behavior isnt good to expose your children to. They may think later on in life that its okay, because you “tolerate it” because your mother does it.
Ask her to seek some help for her addiction before you try to be in her life and expose your children to that.
Just my opinion

i cut my mother off for scamming and i feel much better knowing i don’t have to deal with that. do what makes you feel better.

My mother is an Heroine addict I cut ties with her 15 plus years ago after she had sex with my first husband not to mention tried killing her one grand son. Nope I just walked away and never looked back.

She’s in the midst of the devil that is addiction. Try to help her if you can.

I personally could try helping her first, then if all else fails cut ties x

Same situation, but it’s my little brother. He’s so strung out that my kids ask me what’s wrong with him every time we see him. We just do our best to avoid seeing him anymore. He’s not welcome in my home because he couldn’t respect the “no drugs allowed rule.” They always find a way to bring them in and my kids are more important.

She’s an addict. She needs understanding and treatment. When she’s cold to you and children, she’s withdrawing and is feeling very ill. She needs help. She may overdose.

Absolutely cut ties. She will never see beyond her addiction unless SHE decides to do the work.

This makes an authentic relationship impossible.

Read up, really study what, exactly, are boundaries.

Everyone thinks that they know until something like this tests that belief.

Codependency for Dummies (Darlene Lancer) and Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents (Lindsay Gibson) are excellent resources.

I commend you for protecting yourself and your family :heart:

Its perfectly ok to cut contact with family members ( including a parent) if the relationship becomes toxic or affect your own mental health negatively.

12 step programs like Al-Anon help some to distance but not cut ties entirely.

She is your mother but you have to have ground rules when it comes to you and your children. She can’t be around you guys if she is taking pills

If you feel that you cannot talk to her about it face to face maybe write her a letter telling her how you feel and how it’s effecting you and your children

What sort of pills is she on pls ?