Wog World: Does your Mama ever?
Posted by amrapajalic77 on 27 March, 2006
A few weeks ago I was talking to my Mum and she said that a former friend from high school wanted my address and phone number. I didn’t believe my mother. You’d have to know my Mum to understand why. My Mum is a wog mother and this means that her language is carefully worded emotional blackmail.
I remember once my brother and I were going through a tense moment and I was visiting Melbourne, but my brother and I had made no plans to get-together. She called me and told me he wanted to see me. She told him I wanted to see him and presto. Like two dorks forced on a blind-date we met and the shit hit the fan. So that’s why when she starts her reunions, I get suspicious.
Her other trick is to tell all of us are her favourites. She’s been having individual conversations with each of for years where she tells us with great sincerity and conviction that we are her absolutely favourite child. We twigged onto this when I was eight and he was six and we had a huge fight. I yelled out that I was Mum’s favourite, he did the same. We had a punch up and Mum came. She told us both that she doesn’t love one more than the other, and then, when the other wasn’t around, had another little conversation and told us each that we were favourites.
Well I’ve decided I’m moving back to Melbourne and real estate prices and my income means that I’ve decided to move to the same suburb as my Mum. The suburb that I spent my whole childhood and teen years trying to get out of. Mum off course is estatic. The prodigal child, her favourite returns. As Sam Beckett in Quantam Leap says: “Oh Boy!”
Renée Robinson said
Oh yeah, my dad was a classic at the ‘favourites’ game. Only he’d tell each of us how wonderful our siblings were and if only we could be more like them. Parents, sheesh!
And for selfish reasons am very glad to see you coming back to Melbourne. Let me know when to uncork the bubbly:)
Kathy Holmes said
Oh, Amra, I feel for you. I did that once and had to move across the country afterwards.
Good luck with it all!
Amra Pajalic said
Yeah, parents. They all have their tricks don’t they. I can’t wait to come back to Melbourne and re-connect with all my mates. You and I are on for a rage Renee. Hopefully we’re coming the last week of July or sooner if one of us gets job.
Kathy, you’ve put the fear into me. I don’t have it in me for another cross-country treck so at worst it would be a across the other side of the city escape.
Stacy Dawn said
Wow, reading through some of your entries and you have more than enough background in your life alone to keep in you writing ideas for years. I’d say lucky you, but then you have to live through it too which isn’t always fun.
I actually live in a house right behind my parents. It’s funny how you realize how naive you were as a child but can see through so much more as an adult. Love her dearly but she has a few similiar antics as your mum.
Just to catch up…I am so with you on thrift store shopping and OMG, I loved Quantum Leap when I was younger too. Scott is hot! Lucky you!
Gabrielle said
Huh. Weird thing. I was thinking about it and realized that my mother never pulled that. In fact, she always made sure things were even between us.
Stephanie Bose said
Does it make you feel any better to know that it’s not an exclusively Wog mom thing to do? Oh no, my dear. Here in Canada, my mom does the same thing. Subtle as a hammer over the head.
Stephanie
Amra Pajalic said
Hey Stacy-that’s one of the other things I’m looking forward to in Melbourne. Heaps more thrift stores with great threads. Cheapskatesville-here I come.
Gabrielle-you are too lucky. I’m green.
Stephanie-Yes I feel much better. I guess some things are universal and cheeky mothers are one of those.
Gabrielle said
Yeah, I *am* lucky. But it came about because my great-grandmother treated boy and girl children differently (favored the boys) and so Mum was always determined not to be like that. Lucky for us!