Anonymous wrote:OP I relate. We spent years with mom expecting us to be her back up plan for Thanksgiving if she didn't get a better offer. She has even backed out of plans with us or lost it when she got a better offer last minute, didn't tell us and then resented us for including her.
Every holiday we have spent with her in the past 5 or 6 years has resulted in her having a tantrum, guilt tripping, giving us digs and/or her bragging about how she is better than I am in every way. After the 100th nastygram from her via text earlier this year I decided...no more. We have stress coming at us from all sides this year-health, work, deaths and we just can't do it anymore. We did not make any effort and when she tried to manipulate her way in, kept boundaries. It will be a peaceful Thanksgiving with good food and more importantly calm. Our teens are thrilled and have resented grandma and her drama for a while. With her no good deed went unpunished.
Oh and I have an abusive sibling-no sexual abuse though- and my mother defends her at all costs. Her disturbing behavior has led to explosions with extended family, massive work issues, drama all around, but that is the Golden child and she can do no wrong. I refuse to join the pity party when yet another person at work complains about her backstabbing to management. I grew up with her and have the emotional stabbing scars, I feel for her coworkers.