Two days ago it was my sons birthday. My parents and my sister, with her kids, came to visit us, which is a 1,5 hour drive. Her kids have holiday, but mine were in school when they arrived. My eldest is a teenager, and came in, while everybody was leaving to pick up the birthday boy from school. He said hi, but did not come with us.
Me, my mum and dad and my sister with her kids, stood at my sons school to meet him, and it was a surprise for him. When he saw them he was flabbergasted, but didn't react very enthusiastic, while the kids of my sister usually do, and my mum sees them almost every day.....
My son couldn't get his coat on and was fiddling with it, but it was very cold and tried to get it on, I could see my mum already being disappointed at that time, but didn't really register it. When he managed to get it on, he gave everybody a cheerful hug. Bare in mind he turned 10.
We walked home and he got some presents, and then both my kids went of playing with the cousins.
We had some coffee and later some cake and all was fine in my opinion.
My mum wanted to leave on time, because she wanted to leave before my husband came home.
O did I forgot to tell that she hates my husband and that I have kept them separated for 3 years now. My husband accepts this, and therefore I keep it this way.
The day after, I call her and she tells me she was completely emotionally upset, as she did not feel welcome at my house, and especially how my children behaved and welcomed her.
And now i'm sitting here not knowing what to do.... My life is good, and my family is perfect, I got a great job, nice friends, and usually I can get along with my mum great. She is 70 and I am not going ever to change her opinion of my husband, I tried, and I either choose to keep it separated, or have no relationship with her at all, and have resigned in that fact, but prefer a relationshop. But now, I am so angry, so sad......
Thank you all for your support