Smoking for attention?
I was raised by my mother, whom I love so much.. but man she was and is incredible at manipulation. No it's not a positive thing, but my god.. having her be your first bully really sets the standards for people you meet in your adult life. And because of past relationships and my weird relationship with my own mother I feel I'm pretty good at pattern recognition? Or sussing personalities out?
My mother in law, I believe she's a narcissist. I have a huge back story with her and why I conclude this.. but my main core for belief is her desperate need to be centre of attention. Be it positive or negative.
She burnt a lot of bridges last year with myself, my husband and children.. her siblings, parents.. even her husband was having problems with her.. and when the attention dried up and none of us fed into her, all of a sudden she was telling everyone she was suicidal. My husband said she done this a lot growing up, so we didn't really feed too much into this..
Her manipulation attempts include things like financial, pushing boundaries I place with my children or just in general, anything for attention etc.. I would go further into detail if asked in comments.
My mother in law has also been HUGE on anti smoking cigarettes. The whole time I've known her she's been massive against smoking, and has had many arguments with my husband when he was vaping about the damage it causes. However, she since has started smoking?
She's late 50s, and is smoking not just one at a time, she will have 3 potentially more one after the other.
We've bought up her habit a few times.. but she's always got this faint smile? Or smirk? When we do talk to her about it?
I personally feel she's on a fast track to try and make herself sick. But am I sick for thinking this?
I've mentioned to her along with my husband she needs to try and stop because at this age, it's not a good habit to be starting. And then she replies almost giddily with excitement "I have been losing unexplained weight loss lately, and I've been getting dizzy" (her weight hasn't changed might I add)
I just feel she's on a fast track to bring attention to her, a health crisis to put all attention back on her.
I wish I had the time to go into detail about her past behaviour. Myself calling her a narcissist I don't use lightly, I've even been pushed by her to believe I'm one myself (maybe I am, idk)
But there's just something that feels "attentiony" about smoking. Because if you knew how anti cigarettes this woman used to be, she's known friends who have died from smoking.. you'd be just as confused as me