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Laura
VIP November 2019

Leaving a parent out of your wedding

Laura, on August 15, 2018 at 7:59 PM

Posted in Family and Relationships 26

So, my mother. We recently went more than a year and a half without speaking after she told me to drop dead. The relief of not worrying about dealing with her was tremendous. She started calling occasionally a couple months ago and is now up to about twice a week. The conversations are short and...
So, my mother. We recently went more than a year and a half without speaking after she told me to drop dead. The relief of not worrying about dealing with her was tremendous. She started calling occasionally a couple months ago and is now up to about twice a week. The conversations are short and awkward. She started calling more only after finding out I’m engaged. One the one hand, it seems like she’s trying to form some sort of relationship. On the other hand, she could just be angling for a wedding invite so she can make it all about her. It’s a special gift she has, taking other people’s special occasions and making it about her. I haven’t seen her in nearly nine years. She hates my Dad with a fiery hot passion, and he will most certainly be there. She dislikes my aunt & uncles too, who will likely be there.
So when I type it all out, it seems obvious-don’t invite her. But my hesitation is this-isn’t leaving a parent out of your wedding pretty extreme? Like, a relationship doesn’t come back from that. It seems like it would be a very final thing to do, and that unsettled me somehow. But at the same time, worrying about her interactions with my Dad and we’ll, frankly, everyone, indicates I don’t want her there. Thoughts?

26 Comments

  • Laura
    VIP November 2019
    Laura ·
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    I agree-birthing a child does not earn you lifetime participation privileges. You have to earn the title of “mom”. But there’s still that tiny little voice that won’t shut up, telling me I have to invite her and be a “good daughter”. Ugh.
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  • W
    Devoted August 2018
    WAR's.WIFEY ·
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    I think you shouldn't invite her. Which may seem really hard and rude but she doesn't sound like such a mom.
    I'm not inviting either of my fathers (bio and step). They both know I'm getting married I'm 6 days as well. I just dont want the drama. And neither of them have tried to have a connection with me or my kids so I dont see the point why I should share my special day with someone who doesnt care.
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  • Laura
    VIP November 2019
    Laura ·
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    That’s understandable. With my mom, it’s not that she doesn’t care, it’s that she...doesn’t know how to care appropriately. She doesn’t understand boundaries and the fact that I’m her daughter, her counselor, confessor and confidant. You know, when we were talking before. Since this renewed interest she hasn’t really tried any of that. Yet.
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  • Andrea
    Master January 2021
    Andrea ·
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    I have absolutely no relationship with my mom. Haven't seen her in 6 years. She has not and DOES not want to meet her two granddaughters. Has never met my fiance. She can stay in her misery forever, as far as I'm concerned. She will not be getting an invite from me. She's a liar, extremely toxic, uncaring individual who doesn't even deserve the title "mom." That's how much I cannot stand this woman. Do not invite anyone that you feel may be toxic or stressful to your wedding.

    I don't think it's extreme at all. A lot of my family members know how my mom is, and when I told them she is not invited at my wedding, none of them questioned it. They all agreed! My mom's almost soulless. Has no respect for me as her eldest child. Cannot stand the woman. I hope everything works out for you.

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  • Laura
    VIP November 2019
    Laura ·
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    Your mother certainly sounds worse than mine. I haven’t seen her in nearly nine years.
    I’m not inviting anyone on her side of the family so I don’t have to worry about pushback from relatives. My aunts & uncles on my Dad’s side know how she is from various stories they’ve heard and I doubt any of them would say anything about her absence.
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  • Laura
    VIP November 2019
    Laura ·
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    So now she wants to visit me. Unreal. The sad part is that I sorta want to see her. Dad says go to her place so we can bounce if it gets ugly, FH says let her come to my turf where I’m in charge. I don’t know what to do. And she wants to come up for my birthday weekend. I don’t know. I know she’s trying, making an effort to establish some kind of relationship but I can’t let her get too close.
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