Mom must think I'm still four

[fklwmn]

I seem to have the oppisite problem. As soon as I had kids, my mom started treating my like an adult, but I find myself treating her more and more like a child. 

One day, a couple of years ago, my best friend and I were going somewhere. She has a little boy who's about a year older than mine. It was *just* the two of us in the car (IIRC, I was driving). As we're driving along, something happens (I no longer remember what), and I had to slam on the brakes. We BOTH threw our arms out, in front of the other being in the car.

We decided that meant we were really Mommies.

Ha... my former best friend used to think this reaction was the definition of being a good mom.

I, on the other hand, NEVER have that reaction. Because my kids (now 10 and 12) are NEVER in the front seat. If I were to stick my arm out, it would be to catch my purse. I don't think that makes me a mommy

[Xanthia, Maker of fine Tin-foil hats since 2007]

OK, my mom still does this to me, she asks if I have a sweater (we live in different states, this is on the phone) wants to know if I need her to send me money to go buy new underpants because it is "Time to go through them and get rid of the embarassing ones".

Now, one thing that my mom and Jellybean both get on me aobut it taking something for "tummy trouble" as all of the alternatives make me feel worse than the actual tummy trouble (peoto it evil I tell ya), and I prefer to let some things ride out as I feel your body is trying to purge itself.  Anytime I mention my stomach is bothering me they will both pipe up with "well, did you take something for it/are you goning to take something for it"  I tell them both I know where the medecine is, and if I deem it necessaty, I will take something.

[housewife2k]

Now, one thing that my mom and Jellybean both get on me aobut it taking something for "tummy trouble" as all of the alternatives make me feel worse than the actual tummy trouble (peoto it evil I tell ya), and I prefer to let some things ride out as I feel your body is trying to purge itself.  Anytime I mention my stomach is bothering me they will both pipe up with "well, did you take something for it/are you goning to take something for it"  I tell them both I know where the medecine is, and if I deem it necessaty, I will take something.

Arrgghhh! I feel your pain on this one. Hubby and my mom and MIL all ask me if I've taken pepto or tums or what have you. No, I didn't, the all make me feel worse, I have been dealing with the tummy issue for YEARS and if you just let me lie down for a few, I'll be fine, thank you! What makes it more frustrating, my mom is the one who first taught me to lie down and ride it out when I was younger, after SHE noticed what the various remedies did to me!

[Amitisoo]

I am proud to say my mother has never done any of this to me.

She wasn't the best mother and has always treated me like an adult. It didn't work too well when I was 12 but now.....we get along famously.

I live far away from my hometown so none of my friends here know about my teenage troubles. They always want to know how we get along so well.

I do wonder sometimes if I am too motherly towards her!  I always remind her to set her alarm clock and put air in the tires.

[IndianInlaw]

When my son was baptized, my mom (who came in from out of town) cornered the priest and had some big conversation about me.  I heard he say "You know, we really want her to come back home with us"

As though I weren't 27.

On the other hand, I always ask my son if he has to go to the bathroom before we go anywhere.  But not in front of other people.

[Twik]

My brother was 28, had moved to another province, and was working in professional capacity there. He had 2 university degrees at the time.

One day, as he was heading out the door to the office, the phone rang. It was our mom - she'd been looking at the weather channel, and noticed that there was a severe wind chill in his town, so she was calling to remind him to wear a hat.

[Chivewarrior]

My mother is relatively sane, but if she trusts me enough to have me at boarding school, she should also trust that I can do my homework and play nice with my friends without her calling me every night to remind me to do my homework and play nice with my friends. I'm almost sixteen! I've been playing nicely with my friends for several years now. (Yes, she does actually tell me to make sure I'm nice to my friends.)

[Wordgeek]

Ooh, I got one!

When I was 20 and attending university in Vancouver BC, San Francisco or LA (I forget which) had an earthquake) of something like 4 on the Richter scale.  My mom called to see if I was okay.

[gadget--gal]

One day, at age 18, I was doing the dishes and my mum told me to leave the blender for her to wash.  I was a bit suprised and isisted I'd wash it myself. She said "then be careful" (!!)

[Joannie81]

I loved and appreciated that I was always my Mother's child, and now my children know they will always be my children.  However, now that they are 20, 17, and 14, I try very hard not to treat  them  like babies.... in public.


I find myself doing that once in a while.  I once grabbed my son's hand when we crossed the street...and he was 12!  And he let me do it!  I guess once a parent, always a parent.

[pinacoladasundae]

These are all so funny! But I can see how they can be a bit embarrassing.
Everyday when I leave for work or school my mother always tells me "behave yourself, and don't get hit by the train." Oddly enough until two years ago there was no train in our area. Although I suppose it makes more sense now, I still don't plan on getting hit by a train. Oh, and I'm not one to misbehave either, just letting you know. Anyway, even though I am now 21, I think I would be sad if she just stopped saying it.
 

[Suze]

my Mom's favorite is the "be Carefull" when I leave the house.

My reply is usually "No - I don't wanna" or "Why? can't have any fun that way"

[LadyJaneinMD]

RG, you're going to have to forgive me for laughing a bit (just a little bit?)

But, in 2 days, I'll be 40.  And, I'm afraid the "you're still a child in my eyes" has not gone away with my parents, either.

When I go there, I'm immediately reduced to getting the same kinds of reactions that you're experiencing.

Someone once told me that we never really grow up in our parents' minds.  And, I'm afraid that's true.

No real words of wisdom except to say that you're not alone - as others above have told you as well!  It's a part of being their kid; you're their "kid" forevermore.

It's not just parents. I'm afraid that I still think of my little brother as that lovely baby who I used to diaper and take care of.  He's 36 now and really resents that. 

I'll probably do it to my nieces too.  Wasn't it just last week that they were tiny babies?  When did they get to be 7 years old??

[LadyJaneinMD]

Enjoy it while you can and keep your sense of humor.  Good advice.

My mother died 5 days before my 30th birthday.  Nobody has told me to chew my food properly since then.  I miss it sometimes.