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Author Topic: Mother seeking peace and sanity in my family  (Read 544 times)
Bornindetroit
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What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Inlaw
Posts: 1


« on: January 22, 2019, 05:06:54 PM »

My family has been split in half by my son’s wife, who has borderline personality disorder and narcissistic traits.  She is bright and very high functioning. Jealousy of my two daughters started 30 years ago when my son became involved with her. Before long she was pregnant and her control increased. She wanted all of my attention, definitely wanting to be favored always. After many years of trying to keep peace with many crazy and bewildering interactions with my daughter-in-law I am ready to speak truth and bring sanity to our family. She doesn’t think anything is wrong with her. She attacks verbally anyone who disagrees with her. My son has become codependent, wanting to keep his family intact.  He’s in total denial about her, making excuses. It’s very sad for me at this stage of my life. I know I have to stand strong and speak truth to my son. I’m asking for support from those who are traveling this same road.

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Harri
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Gender: Female
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Parent
Posts: 5981



« Reply #1 on: January 22, 2019, 06:25:09 PM »

Hi and welcome to the board!  I am glad you found us but sorry for what brings you here.  Having a person with BPD or BPD traits enter your family is very difficult to deal with.  You are definitely not alone as you will see as you read and join in and start posting to others.  It helps to have a support network of people who understand.

What sort of behaviors does she engage in that causes so many difficulties?  What sort of things did you do to try to keep the peace?  How many grandchildren do you have?

Sorry for all the questions.  Just want to get to know you better?

I hope you share more of your story with us.
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  "What is to give light must endure burning." ~Viktor Frankl
Notwendy
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What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Parent
Posts: 11617



« Reply #2 on: January 23, 2019, 06:03:49 AM »

I am sorry you are dealing with this.
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Before you say a word to your son about his wife, please stop- learn all you can about BPD and BPD romantic relationships.

I am not advising you to continue to feel as if you are living a lie. However, there are dynamics involved and IMHO, it would be good to pause and learn.

One example is the Karpman triangle. I was not aware of this or BPD relationship dynamics. My ( now deceased) father was co-dependent with my BPD mother. He was a strong rescuer and she took victim mode. I naively spoke up about her. I then became a "persecutor" on the triangle with them.

My mother sees people as "on her side" or "not her side". My father was then in the position where he had to choose, me or her. There was no choice to have both in his life. He chose her.

Because of these dynamics, you risk your son cutting you off from his family as he and his wife will perceive you as a threat. The rescuer -victim bond between them is very strong. Also assume that anything you say to your son, he will tell her as well. Rescuer-victim needs a persecutor- and you will provide this for them to bond over.

If you find it hard to believe that a son would cut off his mother- please believe it. Mother, sister, and even daughter. I didn't ever imagine my father would do that with me, as I thought we had a good relationship, but he did.

I know you love your son and want to speak your truth. It's good that you are here. There are ways to live your truth- without being confrontational and inadvertently adding fuel to the Karpman-Drama triangle.
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Enabler
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Gender: Male
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Ex-romantic partner
Relationship status: Living apart
Posts: 2790



« Reply #3 on: January 23, 2019, 06:33:07 AM »

The truth hurts... .the truth hurts some people a lot lot more.

I have to second Notwendy's wise advice here. Stay and learn a bit, ask as many questions as you like... .the only silly question is the one you don't ask. We have a wealth of experience and there's a air of predictability with regards to how pwBPD react and respond to 'threats' aka 'the truth'.

Among the other resources on bpdfamily, I highly recommend that you read the link below... .20 rules of BPD (not endorsing the rest of the website). Getting into the mindset of a sufferer will hugely help in finding the best path to navigate your struggles... .it's a minefield and there's no point in sugar coating it for you... .You've lived it.

www.anythingtostopthepain.com/20-rules-for-understanding-BPD/

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