i understand why you are feeling lonely, but why couldnt you go when the soon to be daughter in law asked you? whats wrong with going alone? who knows if you could have met someone there or maybe someone who knew someone? even just getting out helps without any ulterior motive. i am sure your son would have loved to have had you there. next time, go. include yourself. who knows what could happen? you could make new friends and be less lonely. :) best of luck to you.

It still hurts that's for sure.

Dinner...company Christmas party....whatever. Put on your best, slap on some lipstick and walk in wherever with your head held high.

So what you don't have a husband. You are a woman who is currently choosing to be confident in your own company. Not a damn thing wrong with that. I don't have one either. It makes me no less of a person.

all of us "kids" do things that hurt our parents, usually without even realizing that's what we are doing. I totally understand that you are lonely, but don't make the mistake of living your life through your son. Other posters are right, he is 26 and it's OK for him to not be with you on his birthday. Now if it was YOUR birthday that would be different. I have been alone for a very long time and I get that it's hard. I don't even have friends here so I even go shopping alone, which isn't much fun. Don't be like me, go out with friends and enjoy life. When it comes to family we shouldn't feel bad about showing up alone, it is hard though. I get invited to my sister's place sometimes for things. A couple times I have gotten there and been told the big family dinner is at her mother in laws house! That isn't MY family and I feel weird and out of place. Now I just stay home with me and my two boys, so tired of being that fifth wheel that doesn't fit in.

My son is with a girlfriend that I, his mother, absolutely do not like. She has made in my presences and others some vile comments about one of my other children, when visiting them I became ill, she with all the venom she could muster said now she whould have lysol her seat this in the presence of my son, my son's only comment was really, etc.etc. My son had picked this girl over his mother as I have indicated that I have the right to pick my associates and she is not one that I pick to be around. Have told him that he is always welcome in my home and I am there for him. However, she is never welcome in my home. She has proceeded to alienate another of my sons whom now will not speak with me. My eldest son retired from military recently, I did make if very clear that I would not be attending if my son was bringing the girlfriend. My son and his family accept her out of respect to my son however, do not consider her family or a friend. She had fully intended on attending in the end my retiring son said he wanted his mother there. So, my son brought the girlfriend but she did not attend. I had to leave early as I was had a 6 hour drive back to my home and had to be at work the next day. My son did not even say goodbye to me he could not wait to get on phone to tell the girlfriend that i was leaving and she could come over to my retiring sons home. Alot more has gone in within the span of the 3 years between her comments about my daughter and the retirement, in that time have only spoken to my son with the girlfriend 3 time and including the retirement have only seen him 2 times. If he marries the girl and I have made this quite clear, he is no longer a part of my family and if truth be known am considering in doing this now. He has shown himself to have no familal loyality. In the three years I send him birthday and Christmas gifts never getting a thank you, drop dead, go hell nothing. So what am I actualy losing by just completely walking away from this dishonorable son, nothing from what i can see. I have already mourned his loss to have the actual loss is just the actual step of saying it is over Please give feedback.

You could have gone to the mother's day dinner alone. Why not? You would have had a good time.

I agree with others, he is in a new phase. And your son is not a finely-tuned mind reader about your wishes.

Maybe you ought to spell out your wishes directly, and out loud to your son. Something like, "next year can you please do something for me on Mother's Day?"

But be inclusive, invite the GF.

Wow. Post dredged up from 2010. Poor old Deleted User. Everyone in town dredges up her posts from nearly 10 yrs ago. She's probably left the site and still it goes round and round.

Is there any way we can stop this happening?

I didn't catch that. Phantom posting!

sadly as kids grow and find love, they often shift their attention solely to their gf/bf, its nothing personal, merely the rose coloured glasses of a new love

Could everyone stop commenting and let this OLD OLD post die and go back to oblivion?

Aside from being OLD, it's more of a topic for family issues or healthy relationships.

Grow up! Your son is almost thirty! And you still expect him to be tied to your apron strings? How old will he be when you let him be with his girl without getting jealous? Don't you see how unhealthy this is? He is NOT your husband! Nor your friend. You should be happy if he becomes somebody's husband (not yours)! Don't you want grandchildren? Don't you want your son to be happy? You should encourage him, not keeping him back! The girl was kind to you and invited you when you wanted your 26 year old "little boy" all for yourself. Don't you see the difference? By acting like this, you express your love for yourself, not for your son! Did your mother-in-law do the same thing? If so, how did it make YOU feel? Do you want your son to be alone? Sorry to tell you this, but if you got lucky, your son will outlive you. Do you want him to be alone, with no family? That is not love. There was another one who called your son "ungrateful". She's sick! Do you honestly want him to be a servant/companion to you and never be happy?

You have to stop making your son feel guilty. He was not born to be your companion.