Wedding Etiquette Forum

I'm venting.

My sister recently got engaged, broadcast it on FB and never told our mom.  My mom found out about her engagement from a woman at church on Sunday.  I knew my sister put off telling my mom, she said she just wanted to be happy & enjoy the moment.  I understood that.  My mom can be negative & judgmental.  My sister has only been dating her fiance for 6 months, long distance.  She felt my mom might judge her for that.  (If it matters, she is 30 and he is 33).

Since it was on FB, I assumed my mom knew.  I talked to my mom last night & she broke down crying about how hurt & insulted she is that her daughter wouldn't even tell her she was engaged.  She had to find out from a woman at church who saw it on FB.  This caused permanent damage to an already strained relationship.  I talked to my sister today, I wanted her to know how mom found out & how much mom was hurting.  So now my sister feels like garbage & I think she SHOULD feel like garbage because that was a really garbage-y thing to do.   I'm honestly not even sure if my sister had any intentions of telling my mom. 

My sister asked me what she should she do.  I have no idea.  Is there anything she CAN do?  This isn't something that can be fixed by a phone call. Can it can be repaired at all?  I have no idea.  My heart hurts for my mom.  I can't image how low she feels thinking that she wasn't important enough to know about her daughter's engagement.  Because, you know, when someone doesn't tell you they are engaged it's usually because you aren't important enough to them to know. 


(I feel relieved after typing all of that out)

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Re: I'm venting.

  • Hmm.  Has your sister expressed to your mom the reasons she felt uncomfortable telling her?  I understand that your mom is hurt, but if she has mistreated your sister in the past then I can't imagine she's totally surprised that your sis has some negative feelings harbored. 
  • Oh I feel bad for your mom! Is it not possible for your sister to go talk to your mom in person? B/c I think that would probably be the best approach. But if she is out of state your sister def needs to spend some time talking to your mom over the phone.  In the end your mom will still probably be hurt.
  • I think all your sister can do is go to your Mom, either by phone or in person, and just sincerely apologize and maybe explain why she did what she did.  You are probably best to stay out of it.
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_im-venting?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:1efb1a1e-b538-4f10-a81d-5cf57dff1056Post:9716bfe6-0eef-4ec1-b70d-213fdf73a671">Re: I'm venting.</a>:
    [QUOTE]Hmm.  Has your sister expressed to your mom the reasons she felt uncomfortable telling her?  I understand that your mom is hurt, but if she has mistreated your sister in the past then I can't imagine she's totally surprised that your sis has some negative feelings harbored. 
    Posted by kate51485[/QUOTE]

    She hasn't talked to my mom at all.  It's been a couple weeks. 
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  • I'm not sure, from what you wrote, that it was such a garbage-y thing to do.  Your sister is a grown woman and your mother has a history of being negative and judgmental.  But your sister had to have known it would sting a bit - I don't understand her being surprised or feeling bad that your mom was hurt. 

    I mean, she made the choice and should be able to live with it.  If she regrets her choice, she should tell that to your mom, but if she made the right choice for her (given the history), she should be willing to tell that to your mom, too. 
  • Eeeep... that sucks.  First off, I think your sister has to wantto include your mom.  If she does, she needs to start with a sincere phone call (at the very least, if not a visit) apologizing.  This is definitely one of those "actions speak louder than words" situations.  Your sister should probably actively include your mom in the planning process and ask her to come along on fittings, etc. 

    Then again, if your sister doesn't really care, it may be better that your mom find out sooner rather than later. 

    It's an ugly situation for you to be in the middle of, but I think all you can do is be there for your mom.
  • I think you've said things in the past about your mom and so I think all your sister can do is explain how she feels (preferably in person) and hopefully they can talk it out.
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  • Thanks Dani, I'm getting emotionally pulled into it and I'm going to zip my lips & stay out of it as best I can.
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  • Well, the first thing she should do is talk to your mom.  I do think she should apologize but she also needs to be honest about why she didn't tell her right away.  Explain how your mom has made her feel in the past, explain why she wanted to "enjoy the moment" without your mom knowing, explain rationally that your mom has apparently done so much to influence the way your sister acts. 

    I don't think this is irreparable, but I think it will take some very open lines of communication to make it better.  Is your mom aware of the way she can make you/your sister feel?
  • Kate - my mom has NO idea how bad her words can hurt.  We've both said things to her before about situations in the past and she always seems surprised that we are upset.  She never apologizes for her actions/words either.  I think I'm better at dealing with my mom and not letting her words hurt me.

    The funny thing is, my mom is actually happy for her.  So my sister thought my mom would be really judgey to her but actually she said she thought this guy was nice (which means a lot coming from her). 
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_im-venting?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:1efb1a1e-b538-4f10-a81d-5cf57dff1056Post:d9701c7a-22f9-4596-9000-86e58fa6dbff">Re: I'm venting.</a>:
    [QUOTE]I'm not sure, from what you wrote, that it was such a garbage-y thing to do.  Your sister is a grown woman and your mother has a history of being negative and judgmental.  But your sister had to have known it would sting a bit - I don't understand her being surprised or feeling bad that your mom was hurt. <strong> I mean, she made the choice and should be able to live with it.  If she regrets her choice, she should tell that to your mom, but if she made the right choice for her (given the history), she should be willing to tell that to your mom, too. 
    </strong>Posted by ohwhynot[/QUOTE]

    OWN you're wise.  Thank you.  I just e-mailed that to her. 
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_im-venting?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:1efb1a1e-b538-4f10-a81d-5cf57dff1056Post:d9701c7a-22f9-4596-9000-86e58fa6dbff">Re: I'm venting.</a>:
    [QUOTE]I'm not sure, from what you wrote, that it was such a garbage-y thing to do.  Your sister is a grown woman and your mother has a history of being negative and judgmental.  But your sister had to have known it would sting a bit - I don't understand her being surprised or feeling bad that your mom was hurt.  I mean, she made the choice and should be able to live with it.  If she regrets her choice, she should tell that to your mom, but if she made the right choice for her (given the history), she should be willing to tell that to your mom, too. 
    Posted by ohwhynot[/QUOTE]

    This. I can't imagine not telling my mom about my engagement (I waited until she visited in person, so she WAS one of the last to know, but I didn't announce it on FB and I swore my brother to secrecy). Are you sure your sister WANTS to repair her relationship with your mother? It seems as if this was a conscious decision she made to not tell her, she just really wouldn't care either way.
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  • Mery, my sister does care about my mom feelings which is why I'm baffled she let the whole world know first, knowing my mom may find out from a 3rd party.  She doesn't want my mom to be upset/angry/hurt about it.  She said she wanted to keep the engagement private and that's why she didn't say anything.  I just pointed out, once facebook knows, everyone knows - it's not private.  If you wanted to keep it private you shouldn' t have told anyone until you were ready. 
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_im-venting?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:1efb1a1e-b538-4f10-a81d-5cf57dff1056Post:52c9fc67-9094-4e25-9fd0-bf449addf53e">Re: I'm venting.</a>:
    [QUOTE]Kate - my mom has NO idea how bad her words can hurt.  We've both said things to her before about situations in the past and she always seems surprised that we are upset.  She never apologizes for her actions/words either.  I think I'm better at dealing with my mom and not letting her words hurt me. The funny thing is, my mom is actually happy for her.  So my sister thought my mom would be really judgey to her but actually she said she thought this guy was nice (which means a lot coming from her). 
    Posted by pinkpinot[/QUOTE]

    Sounds like your sister made a bit of a mistake in assuming your mom would react a certain way, but I guess there's a reason she did that, you know?  Maybe if they can have a heart to heart your mom will realize the effect her words have had in the past.  Like I said, I don't think this has to be the end of their relationship (unless that's what your sister wants), but it calls for some honest dialogue.  And I agree that you should do your best to leave the mending to the two of them as much as possible.
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_im-venting?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:1efb1a1e-b538-4f10-a81d-5cf57dff1056Post:a5bda432-ac82-4961-b02a-95ff9889967a">Re: I'm venting.</a>:
    [QUOTE] She said she wanted to keep the engagement private and that's why she didn't say anything.  I just pointed out, once facebook knows, everyone knows - it's not private.  If you wanted to keep it private you shouldn' t have told anyone until you were ready. 
    Posted by pinkpinot[/QUOTE]

    Yeah, that doesn't even make sense.  Did she really think she was keeping it private by posting it on FB?   It sounds like she just wanted to keep it private from your Mom specifically.
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  • Kate - absolutely.  I understand why she was waiting to tell my mom.  I know exactly how my mom can be and my mom has said many not nice things about my upcoming marriage too.  
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  • A heartfelt apology and time will heal most things.  Ask your sister to tell your mother that she acknowledges that announcing the engagement on FB before telling her personally was impulsive and poorly considered.  And give your mom time.  It'll work out. 
  • My mom is the same way and I kind of wished I would have kept it from her for at least a few days.  I told her the very next morning and she absolutely killed any happiness I could have been feeling at the moment.  So I kind of see where your sister was coming from.

    At the same time, she shouldn't have announced it on facebook since obviously your mom was going to find out from a 3rd party. 

    I think she just needs to call your mom and explain to her why she kept the engagement from her.
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_im-venting?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:1efb1a1e-b538-4f10-a81d-5cf57dff1056Post:01c73944-cdff-45c3-bee2-68d1fc912173">Re: I'm venting.</a>:
    [QUOTE]Kate - absolutely.  I understand why she was waiting to tell my mom.  I know exactly how my mom can be and my mom has said many not nice things about my upcoming marriage too.  
    Posted by pinkpinot[/QUOTE]

    :( I hate that for you.  Maybe in conjunction with your sister's conversations now would be a good time for you to speak candidly with your mom, too -- to enforce to her that if her behavior continues, the happy news of engagements could turn into news of jobs, houses, grandchildren, etc. 
  • Awww Navy I'm sorry.  It's sort of comforting to know I'm not alone with a mom who isn't excited about my engagement & wedding.  How was your mom during the wedding?  Did you get down in the dumps at all because of her?  I'm finding it hard to keep my spirits up :-(
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_im-venting?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:1efb1a1e-b538-4f10-a81d-5cf57dff1056Post:e276bdb9-c480-4987-886b-ec3fa95baa6e">Re: I'm venting.</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: I'm venting. : :( I hate that for you.  Maybe in conjunction with your sister's conversations now would be a good time for you to speak candidly with your mom, too -- to enforce to her that if her behavior continues, the happy news of engagements could turn into news of jobs, houses, grandchildren, etc. 
    Posted by kate51485[/QUOTE]

    That is a good idea and something I think we NEED to do.  You know, I can't even figure out why I feel so bad for my mom and her hurt feelings.  I'm completely baffled that I care so much but it tugs at my heart strings to hear her cry.  I never think anything bothers my mom so I'm always shocked when she shows emotion. 
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  • Coming from a place where I have a mom just like what you described, I agree with several PPs- your sister might have had valid reasons for wanting to keep things to herself for a few days without letting a negative person spoil it for her, but she shouldn't have broadcast it on FB then... and she CERTAINLY needs to talk to your mother, sooner rather than later.  The best, and seemingly ONLY thing to do now, is for her to be honest with your mother about why she didn't say anything.  She should also sincerely apologize and say that she still loves her and wants your mom to be in her life and a part of the process, barring any of the negative behaviors that caused your sister's reservations in the first place.

    Expect this to take some time, and try to stay out of it as much as possible.
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