gifts with huge strings attached

[Guest guest]

OK, after I laid 'the law' on her pre-announced visit (one week max) and she has

slammed down the phone as usual twice, I receive a huge package in the office:

big present for me and for my daughter whose birthday was also a week ago. And

an envelope with 'graduation money and congratulations for having passed with

flying colors last june (!)' for both my children.

It happens all the time: first the big dramatic scene, the phone calls (at

work!) and then the packages, the gifts - preferably for my kids - to obviously

trigger my guilt response.

It really sours every gift she gives us. It is never a real act of generosity or

love, it is always with a 'guilt trip' attached. See? you don't want your loving

mother and grandmother that showers you and the grandkids with gifts?

All my co-workers who saw me with the package could only comment 'what a nice

mother I have...How sweet that she sends gifts and they were curious to see what

was in the box!

And of course, she expect to be called and thanked profusely.

I can't stand it anymore.