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Previous posts for context. Tldr: my godmother doesn't believe my parents (Team Fockit) were/are abusive and keeps bringing it up, despite our agreement not to talk about it so we could have a relationship. I want to give her one last chance, both because of my own emotions and because there are some courtrelated things going on making it so I can't just cut off family without a clear paper trail showing it's a reasonable thing to do. Last text I asked her if she could promise me not to bring my parents and my childhood up again, and that I need time.
Here's her reply:
I promise not to make it difficult for you again. I really didn't know it sat soooo deep Koevis
That's a literal translation. In Dutch something "sitting deep" means something like deeply affecting or deeply rooted.
My godmother isn't versed in sarcasm, so I genuinely doubt the "soooo" is sarcastic. When speaking she elongates her words as emphasis, i think that's what she's doing.
But I told her how difficult it was, every time she brought it up. I have cried in front of her multiple times. I have explained to her what cPTSD is and that I have that diagnosis. And she still hasn't promised me not to bring up my parents and childhood, and she still hasn't shown any apology or remorse for the hurt she caused.
My current plan is to stick to what I've decided earlier. I'm not going to reply, and take the time I need. But I'm stuck on what to do after that. Ask her on the phone to literally say she won't bring up Team Fockit and my childhood anymore? In person? Get it in writing? I'm not necessarily looking for the apology, as long as the behavior actually changes. What else should I do?
And please don't tell me to just give up now. I know that's what most people would do, and I honestly would give the same advice. I'm not at that point yet. I need advice on how to navigate this last chance
Sometimes people don't get it because they just don't want to. It's like a mental block. I hope what I am about to say doesn't sound like I'm trivializing it, but as I get older, there are some things that I REALLY struggle to grasp changing. Even important things. I have hurt people because of it, and resorted to taking time to chant to myself what the change is that I need to make, because it's like...things just slip out of my mind. It's embarrassing and scary and honestly, I feel a lot more sympathy for some of my older relatives and their forgetfulness.
I think that you might need to give yourself permission to hang up/walk away/disengage if she brings it up. "I'm sorry, godmother, but as I've told you, I can't engage with this. It is too painful. I will see/talk to you later".
Practice it so you can say it without thinking and then give yourself that permission to just walk away and take time for yourself. And then do it. The first time she brings it up. No giving her a 2nd chance in that moment, just disengage, do good self care for yourself, and reengage when you feel ready.
I'm so sorry that you are dealing with this, and I hope you are able to give yourself the time you need when you are triggered by others.
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