Anonymous wrote:Boundaries. The latter stuff sounds like a lot of typical mom stuff, who have a hard time not parenting their (adult) kids. I totally get it sucks, but try to understand her heart is in a good place.
As for the mosque, just say no. Tell her you'll go for a walk with her in the park instead. I grew up Muslim and HATE having to go to a mosque (but do for things like funeral prayers), because I'm just so tired of the 2nd class treatment as women, the small spaces, different entrance, the standing behind men, and hair covering/etc. If there's a God, I don't understand how they'd care if you covered a part of your body that *they* created.
I have many practicing Muslim friends that are advocates of changes concerning gender, which is great - but I can't get behind some of the archaic gender rules which are still in place in mosques.
So... no to mosque. Yes to boundaries. Yes to establishing alternate activities.
Sounds to me that the OP is doing all she can. She’s already said no to seeing the imam, but will accompany her mom to health appointments. What more can she do? It’s very psychologically taxing to deal with a parent like this- read the other thread about the mom and swimsuit. As for the culture comment, I think some cultures have a lot of trouble appreciating adult children as their own separate beings to the point of suffocation. Like conforming to a restrictive dress code when meeting family etc. It’s very one sided and imposing so it’s no wonder that there’s so much conflict between parent and child.