My Mother Forgot My Sister's Birthday!

United States
December 2, 2007 6:16pm CST
If this isn't proof that she is addicted to the internet nothing is! As I type this I am speaking to my Sister. I called her earlier to wish her a happy birthday. She said that Mother hasn't called her. Mother spends most of her time on another site. She stays up late into the wee hours of the morning and when she rises the first place she lands is in front of the computer. Sometimes this happens when she gets up in the middle of the night too! How does one get through to someone who is so addicted to the internet that they forget about what counts most....family.
6 people like this
22 responses
• United States
3 Dec 07
that's what my mom did last christmas when i visited. she'd disappear for hours up to the computer room, also my room while i'm staying there. i'm not sure how to fix it though. hopefully it can't get worse than it is!
2 people like this
@wrongway (277)
• United States
3 Dec 07
Oh Butterfly I can relate to this!!! I am very bad at remembering birthdays and I always used to forget my grandson's birthdays. I even forgot which grandson was born in which month. Then I found birthday alarm. I love it and I no longer forget birthdays or anniversaries. It is free to sign up and you can enter special dates yourself or you can send an email to all your friends and family and it will give them a link for them to go and fill in their birthday or anniversary date. When someone's special day is coming up birthday alarm sends you an email like a week before the date and then a reminder a day before so you have time to shop for a gift if you need to. It is perfect, it is free, and there is no more forgetting special days. Check it out at birthdayalarm.com
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157027)
• United States
3 Dec 07
I was nearly that bad when I first started on myLot. It took me awhile to get past it, but I did. I do not know what to say about your mom, and your sister. I have not heard of having interventions for internet addiction, but I am sure that someone will develop a program, if they have not already. Is your mom depressed?
@GardenGerty (157027)
• United States
5 Dec 07
I can understand the usage with your health problems and with your kids to supervise. I wish my mom had been interested in something like the internet, not just television 24/7. If EB's mom is not going to be able to change how she is on the computer, maybe she should set up a reminder online for important things like family birthdays.
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
4 Dec 07
How old is your Mother? What does she do on the internet? I don't know what your mums responsibilities are, if there are kids at home, etc. But if I had only housework to do, I would spend a lot of time on the internet too. I don't think it would be a good idea for me to get up in the middle of the night to go on the net.
• United States
5 Dec 07
I don't mind that she spends time on the internet. But, when it interferes with your personal life it does become an issue. She seems obsessed with going on a particular site,not this one mind you.
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
3 Dec 07
Oh, boy, is that what we have to look forward to doing if we are on here to long? Yikes! My kids want to text message more than talk and there's nothing on TV anymore and I don't get my GB's much so what's a lonesome Nanny to do? Guess you guys are stuck with me!
1 person likes this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
3 Dec 07
Yup....I live alone too. I don't watch TV so it's great entertainment to be on the internet and also to stay connected with others.
1 person likes this
@skinnychick (6905)
• United States
3 Dec 07
My mom always forgets my birthday, mr bro and sis, and our kids! She isn't even addicted to the internet. She is just too concerned with her self and what she needs or wants. At least if she was addicted to the internet- she could use that excuse. It's pretty bad when your mom has to ask how old you are! Yeah I'm serious!
1 person likes this
@sherinek (3320)
• United States
3 Dec 07
Hmm. One gets addicted to something when the life is not balanced. (may be i am wrong, but this is how i feel). So, think about your mom that way. You will find an answer.
1 person likes this
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
3 Dec 07
That's sad! To actually forget your own daughter's birthday and not through a legitimate reason either, does your sister know why she forgot because she was on the internet, that's hardly sensitive is it to know that your own mother has forgotten you because she was too busy on the internet, a real crisis at a push would be excusable. Even if it was your friend you'd feel highly guilty, but your daughter. I am sure and hope too that your mum will make it up to her!
• India
3 Dec 07
I am sure this is a very sensitive issue but believe me, I have seldom come across something more funny (apologies extended for offending). I mean I am yet to hear about a mom who forgets her own daughter’s birthday coz of the net! She must be one cool n crazy of a lady!!!
1 person likes this
@jeb083079 (839)
• Philippines
3 Dec 07
well, at least your mother is doing something and not just sitting and doing nothing... anyway, don't get upset too much she is still your mother and maybe it's better if you talk to her about it...
• China
3 Dec 07
I do not think it is a big deal for me. When I was a little children and I used to care a lot about such thing, I felt unhappy because my family did not remeber my birthday every year. For exmaple, they did not remeber my birthday of this year. After I reminded it for several times later, they are still going to forget the special time of my birth next year. After useless struggle, I have quitted such effort to ask them to remeber my birthday. Besides, all members in family actually seem not to regard their birthday as the important thing. Although they seldom say happy birthday to me, I know they are very supportive to me and very care about me. They just use another way to show their affection towards me. I
1 person likes this
@kwenge (2487)
• Kenya
3 Dec 07
Hi Butterfly, I really understand what you are going through. Funny enough me I really dont care about my birthday, i sometimes forget my birthday and come to remember a week after. In our family we used to celebrate birthdays when we were kids but as grown ups only my fiancee remembers my birthday. My mother does not remember birthdays not that she is addicted to anything but because she just forgets and am not mad at her. Try and talk to her to reduce the time she spends on the net and also please if you really love her and you want peace in your family keep reminding her some of this things so she can tell your siblings happy birthday.
@fanji008 (775)
• China
3 Dec 07
Hi,there! I understand what you feel and think about that.Nowadays many people are really addicted to the internet.Some young people just surf online or play games online day and night.They forget everything in the real life but only care about the things in the virtual world.It seems they can find some special great and satisfied feelings in that world.I'm sorry to hear that you mum forgot about your sister's birthday because of the internet.Maybe you guys can have a very open talk with her about that.Sometimes communications are really helpful and useful to solve the problems:) Best wishes and have a nice day^_^
1 person likes this
@smilemou (39)
• China
3 Dec 07
I am sorry about it. Please forgive your mother and ask yourself the question--"Do I always remember mother's birthday and do I always call her earlier to wish her a happy birthday?" If the answer is "no",I beleive you would like to stop blaming your mother;If the answer is "Of course yes",talk with your mother about your worry.She is your mother,and she love you both.I am sure that you just lack of promoting emotions. Best wishes:)
1 person likes this
• Malaysia
3 Dec 07
I think your mother is in the state of quite serious now. You should make her realize that it's not that healthy to sit in front of the computer all the time. That's the worst symptom I've ever heard of from a computer addict. And I send my sympathy to your sister too, for your mother's forgetfulness of her birthday. Anyway, all the best for you and your family. Hope your mother recovers from her addiction soon! Cheers.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
9 Dec 07
I use Yahoo Calendar. It alerts me to things like dates and events I need to remember. Here's a link for you to send her. http://calendar.yahoo.com/
@Grandmaof2 (7579)
• Canada
3 Dec 07
I guess it's the same as today we got up, my husband turned T.V on before he even dressed and had his coffee and out the door never saying Happy Birthday to me today. I had a good day regardless.
1 person likes this
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
3 Dec 07
It does not seem like you are shy with the internet either. We have to allow people to be who they are and not try to make them who we want or think they should be. Give mom a break, she deserves to enjoy herself.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
3 Dec 07
That is a tough one. The least she could do is sign up online for a reminder of her kids' birthdays. I spend alot of time on the internet too....and I have dial up but keep my cell phone on in case anyone needs me. But I do take breaks. Maybe you should just tell her how much it hurts when she forgets. I assume she lives alone and this is her entertainment. But there should be limits for everyone. Good luck in letting her see the light!
1 person likes this
@favefive (178)
• United States
5 Dec 07
Wow...that's tough. Seems that your mom needs help in that arena...unles she is really workign and has deadlines. But if she is only blogging and forgeting her own daughter's b-day..that is something else. There are supprot groups nowadays to address internet addictions.