Wow ... looks like I missed a really interesting thread.
I can relate to so much that has been said BW. Its those invasive , personal questions that just really fire you up and hit that sensitive spot that has developed because of the process.
I have had a lot of sensitive spots for different issues develop over the course of my life.
Unfortunately, there are always going to be people that cross the line. I like to think of myself as smarter and wiser and term them as 'ignorant' and althought I get ****ty for that point in time, it helps me put things in perspective and move on. If I think of that person or situation or question its like it makes me ****ty all over again, so I choose to scratch them off and cut them out of the loop. (Kind of how you have done with your mum BW). Its our response mechanism for coping. And that is what we need to do to get a long through this difficult journey - find ways to cope.
I know that my family, friends and even the chosen colleagues I know, dont know what I am going through, and sometimes they make insensitive comments. At the end of the day I know they say it cause they care. I wish there was some manual I could give them ... I liked your earlier suggestion BW, so they know what to expect.
Nasty, personal, invasive comments are AWFUL. We were at a BBQ recently. My sis had her beautiful new bub with her. A family friend in front of everyone, turned to my husband and said, 'So when are you going to pull your finger out and have a child'. He laughed back and said we were having fun practising, and the conversation died. I was livid! I wanted to punch him. So did my DH. People are so RUDE sometimes. He was ignorant and a low level piece of plankton. Have no respect for people like that!
Anyway, thankgoodness for BB. Where we would be?
Mon