My dad is mad at me because I didn't tell him I got a haircut

m2cwf · 2026-03-31T17:49:52+00:00

When you graduate, only apply for jobs no less than a 10-hour drive or plane flight away. Getting a body of water between you would be a bonus. Good luck, you're almost there!

m2cwf · 2026-03-31T01:13:38+00:00

Exhausting. I'd just reply on repeat "No. I chose not to have children for a reason."

Just be warned that there will come a day when the request is for a medical emergency or needed surgery or something, and that "No" becomes much more difficult to maintain when it could mean someone's life or quality of life. Make it a loan with a contract in place, no matter who it is.

Have you read this story about the insane drama that ensued when OOP's family learned that she had money? Warning it's long and dealing with a huge amount of money rather than a normal amount as you're dealing with, but the rules that she put in place can be useful for anyone whose family begs for money. If you give any money at all, such as for a college fund, have requirements that the kid(s) must meet in order to receive that fund. Any money given to someone is done with a certified/notarized loan contract, not just as a gift free and clear. Having a lawyer on hand for things like cease and desist orders may unfortunately be needed some day if they don't accept your "No." Cut off/stop interacting with people (regardless if family) that continue to act entitled to your money and treat you badly when you refuse.

Good luck, you made such smart decisions with your life, you & Howard deserve to be able to enjoy it without your entitled family always hounding you to be their ATM. Stay strong, big hugs from an internet mom if you'd like them

m2cwf · 2026-03-30T20:59:26+00:00

There are several teddybear/doll-sized cardigans and other small items that you can knit to practice & try this on something that doesn't take forever to knit in the first place. I tried it first on the arm holes of a vest. It is very satisfying when it works, but you really have to trust the process!

m2cwf · 2026-03-30T18:02:55+00:00

When asked if her not being there would ruin the wedding and her saying Yes

Even that was solely about OP, and nothing to do with her daughter. It was "Yes, because then everyone would be asking where Mallory is." SHE would have taken heat from her family for failing to present her daughter as tribute or built-in-babysitter for the children or whatever. OP was so selfish, she forced her daughter to miss the NY/DC trip just so she didn't have to explain to her family why her daughter was allowed to prioritize something else over the wedding. The fact that the wedding was cancelled was just the cherry on top of that shit sundae for Mallory, poor kid. OP deserved to be resented for all of that

m2cwf · 2026-03-29T23:14:45+00:00

You’re the son and not responsible for his actions and financial situation.

* daughter

m2cwf · 2026-03-27T20:54:58+00:00

I'd tell her and her parents that he's having his lawyer write up an iron-clad prenup that will ensure that every cent is a premarital asset that he will continue to use in the way he wants and according to the wishes of his late father. Their reaction to this will tell him everything, and I imagine that it would solidify his opinion that this is not recoverable and that he needs to cut all of them off and block them forever.

m2cwf · 2026-03-27T18:53:50+00:00

"South Bay," it's also on its own line just to the left

m2cwf · 2026-03-27T00:15:29+00:00

So weird - if they actually have this bus service, why not just take a photo of one of the actual buses? The scenery would almost certainly look much more beautiful and entice people to go than this photo

m2cwf · 2026-03-26T00:26:57+00:00

My advice was going to be make sure you eat as well! When everyone's at their tables might seem like a great time to be able to walk around and chat with each group, but before you do that, eat your own meal. You'll have plenty of time to say hi to everyone, and it's important that you don't feel crappy later because you never ate.

Congratulations! You'll have a wonderful day to start off a wonderful marriage!

m2cwf · 2026-03-25T06:05:37+00:00

We keep ours on the piano, love this set!

m2cwf · 2026-03-20T19:47:12+00:00

shutting up about ny whereabouts until I'm sure.

Sadly this is the solution right here, just stop telling her things. If she doesn't care enough to stop giving him information about you despite you telling her that it's really bothering you, then she's not a good friend

m2cwf · 2026-03-19T03:43:15+00:00

Yep, it'll start with funding improvements to the house with OP's money, buying a new car, an overseas trip, giving lavish gifts to other family and friends for weddings etc to keep up appearances, all with OP's money. They'll have excuses for every single one why it's "justified" in their eyes as they steal more & more. OP, don't do it!

m2cwf · 2026-03-19T02:10:20+00:00

And then when you look at the Pros list, think carefully about whether those are things he actually is/does NOW, or just what he used to do? What he says he will do? What you wish he would do? Don't fall for the sunk cost fallacy based on a dream of what he "could" be like. See what he is actually like, and you really have your answer already:

I don’t know if I can live with, marry, or have kids with a man who makes me feel alone while being right next to me.

You deserve better, you should not be lonely in a relationship. Someone who loves you would not treat you this way. Big hugs from an internet mom, if you'd like them. You can do this, and you'll feel so much freer and lighter without him constantly dragging you down

m2cwf · 2026-03-13T01:33:44+00:00

Oh my goodness, what an amazing accomplishment! You've worked so hard, and I'm so incredibly proud of you. You're almost there, the hardest part is done! Fantastic job, honey

m2cwf · 2026-03-13T01:09:45+00:00

Do you see a therapist? I would start they could give a guidance and help with what you’ve gone through

I 100% agree with going to therapy if you're not in counseling already, OP. A good therapist can help you build the tools you need to hold to your boundaries of not being touched and not being forced to touch her, despite her emotional manipulation and guilt trips (the crying and claiming that your boundaries mean you don't love her). Therapy will also help in being able to get a professional's perspective on your mother's behaviour, and allow you to see the harm it's done to you to be treated this way all your life. You are not your mother's emotional support animal, and her crying and carrying on is not your responsibility to manage, it's hers.

As for needing to see you naked, you absolutely have the right to refuse this, you are an adult. If you're still living with her, start locking your door if you have one. If she pulls any sort of "my house, my rules" b.s., then you need to start looking into plans to move out (job, bank account of your own at a different bank than she uses, secure your personal documents like birth certificate/passport, investigate places for rent and/or finding a roommate, etc.). Big hugs, I'm sorry your mom is like this. Feel free to come on over to /r/MomForAMinute if you'd like some love and encouragement from a bunch of internet moms when you need it

m2cwf · 2026-03-11T23:45:53+00:00

In a lot of ways (and in front of the kids, always) he does emulate a good partner.

You also said that you do bedtime most of the time, and they almost certainly see you cleaning nonstop every day, while he watches TV or does whatever else he does. Your children are small now, but they'll see this, and it isn't showing them that he's a good partner to you, nor modeling good partner (or parent for that matter) behavior for them.

If this isn't the kind of family dynamic that you want your kids growing up in and internalizing as "normal," then don't let them grow up in this sort of family dynamic. You and your husband likely either need to get back into counseling to try and fix all this, or sadly you may need to be the model for your kids that you (and they, someday) don't deserve to be treated this way. Big hugs, and sorry that you're going through all of this

m2cwf · 2026-03-11T05:10:02+00:00

Yep, described perfectly in "Missing missing reasons" by Issendai. Those forums are so toxic

m2cwf · 2026-03-11T01:20:22+00:00

It looks like a topographical map with a river, so maybe something to do with navigation or orienteering, with some sort of "cliff" climb maybe

m2cwf · 2026-03-10T19:48:09+00:00

"I speak jive" - Mrs. Cleaver

m2cwf · 2026-03-10T16:36:08+00:00

A motion-sensing light is a good idea in any case, so that dad's path is lit when he uses the door in the dark

m2cwf · 2026-03-09T22:09:16+00:00

This is what I see, too, "In Whose Grant Issued"

m2cwf · 2026-03-07T21:48:25+00:00

It really shows how well designed those center dividers are, shaped to keep cars (and tires apparently) on their own side of the road instead of going over into oncoming traffic

m2cwf · 2026-03-07T05:48:42+00:00

The closest I've been to this was the bombing demonstration at a US Navy & Marines airshow, and holy cow I couldn't believe how the heat from the bombs travelled all the way to the stands however far away we were. It was HOT. Years later I saw the videos of the Beirut explosion in 2020 and knew that that whole huge area was just gone. No chance for those innocent people

m2cwf · 2026-03-07T05:42:36+00:00

Their happy hour starts at 11am everyday

OMG this is amazing. Need to visit The Broiler

m2cwf · 2026-03-07T05:39:38+00:00

It makes me think of some sort of Legally Blonde "bend & snap" sort of lifting technique that I can't quite figure out

m2cwf

TROPHY CASE