Anonymous wrote:My mother criticized and second-guessed every single decision. I mean, everything. From big stuff like my working to minute things like my telling my daughter to only look at and not touch delicate porcelain items on a table. In that latter case she said in front of my daughter "so many rules!" Then took her out of my lap and said "Come here, poor sweetheart. Grandma will let you play" and put her hand on my aunt's porcelain whatever. That was every. Single. Interaction with her for years. I finally took her aside and said that when I'm present my rules apply. No second-guessing in front of my daughter. She said no, that she had an obligation to "do what's best" for "her" sweet baby. It turned into a fight. I told her she was welcome to be around us when she acknowledged that she is the grandparent, not the parent, and does not undermine my parenting in front of the child.

She said no. Explicitly no. Followed by an email about how she's the only person who knows how to parent. Bear in mind she was an awful parent. As In, all of my friends' parents felt bad for me and invited me for extended sleepovers to get away from her.

So when she finally said in no uncertain terms that she was the main authority we cut her off.

It wasn't my first choice but it was unavoidable. I have to say-- it feels great.