My mother’s behavior is draining me, and I need advice on handling it Islamically while protecting my mental health
I used to feel sorry for my mom and stuck by her side, giving up my whole social life because she’d always say she’s home alone while I’m out enjoying myself. Now I’ve got no friends left at all. My mother relies on me for absolutely everything. Like, if I make her tea one morning, she’ll expect me to drop all my other duties and make it for her every single day. If I skip it, she keeps muttering near me about wanting tea but having no one to make it. If I lend a hand once with something, she turns it into my permanent job. I just don’t have the time for that with my schedule. She also never stops talking about how miserable her life is because of her marriage, her in-laws, and all that. She’s been going on about this nonstop for over 20 years. Her negativity really messes with my mind. When I’m not around her, I feel so much lighter-no negative feelings, no mental exhaustion. I’m honestly happier when I’m away. But she keeps trying to stay with me because she’s lonely. I’m not sure what to do. I don’t want to sacrifice my sanity and social life at this key stage of my life, when I should be building my own future, by being with her all day, every day. Even if I buy a tiny gift for a new friend, she’ll go on about how my friend deserves a present but she doesn’t. Stuff like, “Go ahead, spend all your money on your friends while giving nothing to your mother.” I don’t even get what that’s supposed to mean. I’ve tried talking to her, but she just guilt-trips and emotionally blackmails me. I tried ignoring her, but then I’d feel awful seeing her sitting alone, crying during her salah. I just don’t know how to handle this in a way that follows Islamic teachings while keeping myself from losing it. Any advice, especially with Islamic guidance, would mean a lot. May Allah make things easy for all of us.