Good morning ladies,
Sorry I've been MIA, but it was due to several reasons. The exhaustion, busy schedule, my sister's visit this weekend, and also Chriss' comment. I felt bad after I read her post, because I realized some people did not voice their uneasiness clearly when I asked if it was still okay for me to post here. I understand her feelings, of course I do, but at the same time I'm disappointed it all happened that way (e.g., someone voicing their concern weeks later and leaving instead of speaking up at the beginning). So I guess if I want to prevent this from happening again, I will no longer discuss my pregnancy. Those of you who do want to have news about that are more than welcome to take a peek in the May 2009 mommies thread or simply pm me.
And there's yet one more reason!

Becky!! She applied herself so much when she replied to my post, and was so open-hearted that she deserved a well-thought post in return. And now I can take the time. So first things first!
Becky!
Thanks for your post, dearest. It took a lot of courage to post all this, and I must say I admire you. It's often hard to take a real honest look at yourself and see the patterns you're in, the real causes for your behavior and choices, and so on. You said you're scared your moving with another man scarred her in some way and you feel responsible. You feel so guilty that you even assume she's traumatized deep down inside even if she tells you the contrary. The simple act of taking a child away from their biological parent is not necessarily as traumatic as you think. It all depends on the parent you leave behind and the context of the move. My parents divorced when I was 4. My mother probably has borderline personality disorder. She's always been a cold, severe woman who was everything but maternal. I was raised first by my grandparents, then by my father and his new wife. Although I never got along too well with the new wife (our personalities don't really match), I never resented my father from marrying her. I've always known, deep down inside, that my life would have been HORRIBLE if I had lived with my biological mother. Given what you said about your ex partner, I wouldn't be surprised if your daughter feels the same.
No matter how hard you try, hunny, you can't force your daughter to stay close to you or your husband. You certainly can't buy her love, whether with presents or with special attentions, and you can't heal imaginary scars that are born from your own fears. The best thing you can do is be yourself, let your DH be himself, try and create occasions in which you three can bond, but beyond that, you have to let go. A mother is radically different from a best friend! It's okay to feel close from her, to go shopping with her and to have fun and share secrets. It's one thing to be a friendly parent, and another thing to act like a best friend. You belong to two different generations, you have a whole series of life lessons behind you already. Take a minute and really think about your role with your daughter. Do you think she needs a buddy, or a mother? When she feels lost, and she needs the comfort, guidance and reassurance your maternal instinct can give her, do you think she'll need to turn to her buddy, or her mother? When it's time to make her understand that her choices are a big mistake and you need her to trust your judgement and experience, do you think she'll believe and respect her buddy, or her mother?
What I'm writing there must come as a disappointment to you... maybe you expected much much more from your relationship with your daughter. But in order to grieve that idealistic relationship, get more realistic expectations and adapt to your role as a mother, you do need to look elsewhere and find what your daughter can't give you. What about your own social network? What about your own friends?
Bottom line is, it's one thing to look back and see how your choices have caused your present situation. But feeling guilty and beating yourself over all this won't change anything. It will lower your self-esteem even more and I don't think you need that right now. Think about an alcoholic who's been sober for the past three years. He goes to a Xmas party and that year they have an open bar. Some of his cousins keep pestering him about taking just one shooter, that it won't harm him, won't cause a relapse, and so on. And eventually, he gives in and takes that one shooter. And then he realises he's put an end to three long years of sobriety. He thinks, "I'm just a darn alcoholic, and I know I'm no good!!! Better drown the whole bottle!" And he gets drunk for the rest of the night.
Feeling sorry for yourself over your mistakes won't do you any good. Instead of calling himself an alcoholic and a loser, that bloke should have taken a closer look at the causes of his taking that shooter. He might realize that the party was at a different uncle's and that there's always an open bar there. So, the environment was dangerous for him. Second, he might also realize that his family doesn't seem very aware of how sobriety is key to his recovery, and that it's a personal choice that's very important to him. So, his family may need to be explained a thing or two.
Same thing for you. It's quite obvious from your post that you're a very clever woman who can take a hard look at the situation and understand how things happened. Push that guilt aside, it's no use, and see how you can improve your current situation. One word of advice, though... the more you force yourself "not to" feel or think something, usually, the more you do. Just stopping might not be the answer (although it's a good idea to stop some of your beahviors, as you suggested). You might need to explore your expectations towards your daughter, and your dependent feelings as well. Think of how good it will feel once you're free from that burden and can just enjoy life without being constantly afraid of losing her! Once you deal with your craving for attention, as you called it, you can actually seek new and more adapted ways to be fulfilled in that area, and I bet it will work out wonderfully then. But right now, you can't ask your DH or your daughter to satisfy that hunger, it's too huge at the moment.
If you want, you can buy a nice book on Amazon. I'm currently translating it in French and it will be published here so my patients can benefit from it. That book might help you reach your goal. It's called "Awakening Self-Esteem", by Nezu and Nezu. You'll find it almost for a song on Amazon.com. Seriously, I'd recommend it to everyone! *HUGS*
http://www.amazon.com/Awakening-Self-Es ... 555&sr=8-1
Carolyn,
I'm really glad the clinics are calling back and that, at least, you're on a list!

I hope you have a nice surprise down the road and can give it a try much sooner! Your vacation plans sound terrific!!!!!
Miracle,
Thinking of you dear!

Sending lots of positive vibes!
Shantala,
Glad to have news sweetie! Wow, those jog interviews sound horrible!!!! I hope it works out thought!!!

:D
Angel,
I'm really sorry to hear you're feeling down...

*HUGS* I hope you feel better soon. I hope you had a nice relaxing weekend!
beachbaby,
thank you so much for your comments!

It's really great to have news! Congratulations on keeping fit, I know how hard it is!!!!
Okay, I have to see a hospitalized patient. But just a few words about me, I'm starting my first yoga class tonight! With my best friend Anne. I don't know what to expect... gah, my beautician is on maternity leave, and I have hary legs, lol, I'll have to wear sweat pants...

But hey, at least I'll show up!

Plus I'm glad I changed my schedule at work a little bit. I take a different train, and that way I have to walk every morning and every afternoon to and from the station. That also allows me to find a nice comfy seat every morning instead of fighting for a place in the stairs... I'm telling you, there's so many people you'd think we're heading for Auschwitz!!!!
Okay, take care guys, and have a great week!!
Sophie xxox