I am sorry this whole thing is putting you through the emotional wringer. I am not a wise, practical, or sensible person in many ways, but when I feel like my personal experiences can perhaps offer insight…I try to share.

I have a friend with thyroid issues, and she said for years it made it hard for her to find peace and happiness as a mother. She said so much of her battle was with herself that she wondered if she was present enough for her children. Her children are all adults now and they are fine. The thyroid issues just made it hard for her to enjoy motherhood.

I think you really would be happier if you cut your mother and sisters out of your life. I think Anita’s advice is worthy of following. YOU LOVE your children. YOU DON’T TERRORIZE people. Your children are old enough to understand why their TOXIC relatives are out of their life. If they really need to be around CRUEL, HATEFUL, MANIPULATIVE, MEAN family—they can do that when they turn 18. But for now, they are your children, and they will appreciate it’s your duty to protect them. I believe they really are capable of understanding this.

I cut my mean mother out of my life. It was not easy. I felt VERY guilty. But I did it. The amazing thing is… she still finds ways to terrorize me from afar. I’m telling you this so that you can understand that cutting your mean family off will not truly hurt your children. By cutting them off, they will probably still find ways to be nasty. But you will be in the power position of not seeking the abuse, doing your best to pursue only positive people, etc. Your children will see first hand that you are only trying to protect them from nastiness. You will be teaching them they don’t have to be victimized. And watching grandma be mean and devious will be all the explanation and justification they need… and it won’t even be your voice delivering the facts.

Please do yourself and your family a favor… call it “quits” with your mean family. Seek a community of people you can be proud of your children befriending.