Parents having issues ... life sucks

[LuckyTaxi]

I guess I didnt see it or didnt care much for the situation as I was growing up. Now that I'm much older and maturer, it's starting to affecting me more. My parents have been married for more than 30 yrs and things are starting to get bad. I recall her telling me how she's unhappy and doesnt want to be married to my father. However, she stayed just for my brother and I but now that we're older and we no longer live with them, my mom's mental behavior has gotten worst. She has bipolar and she's had her moments where she's not herself. Fortunately my dad has been there for her. She's the only kid and both her parents are dead. She has cousins but she's not close to them.

Anyways, I guess things at home are so bad they no longer sleep in the same room. Mom just called me and started to cry. Jesus, how did a "happy" family turn out to be so fvcked up. I told her when we were younger to leave if she's not happy. My brother and I turned out to be fine. Kinda hard to hear her on the other end starting to cry and trash my dad but I told her to deal with it. Sounds cruel but I just dont know what to say or do. Ughh ... life sucks. You're supposed to grow up, looking up to your parents and run to them when you're feeling shitty. But, my have the times have changed as you get older.

 

[JulesMaximus]

My parents divorced when I was quite young. My sister had the most difficult time dealing with it but ultimately it was for the best. It sucks that your Mom feels she needs to burden you with this now. That's an awkward position for her to put you in for sure. Doesn't she have any friends?

Oh, and there's a forum for this now.

 

[markgm]

When you grow up people don't suddenly change, you just start to see things as an adult. It's kind of like watching old cartoons and seeing all of the sexual innuendos that you never caught as a kid. Same cartoons, new view on life now that you're smarter and more mature.

 

[ppdes]

Ha, yeah, I always wished my mother would follow through with all the threats she made to leave as well. She was frequently drunk and incredibly nasty when she was. I'm pretty sure she just threatened it all the time for the feeling of power or attention or something.

 

[Siva]

Personal happiness is more meaningful than a "happy family". If your mother has loved ones outside the family, maybe she would be happier on her own? We've all been there. It may seem strange cause she's your mother, but I'm sure you've felt the same way and can relate on some level. Don't try to change or fix things, just be sympathetic. I'm sure they are both hurting.