My partner can be like that.. does it with real people he knows, and also people off the tv. Drives me nuts to be honest! Its draining to hear that kind of negativity all the time, and its almost like he expects me to join in. He also gets pleasure out of it.

I think its lack of confidence, to put someone down and try make themselves feel better. My way of coping, is unless he has a real, honest, worthy gripe over someone who has done him wrong, is I ignore him or change the subject. If he's being *****y, and doesn't take the hint that I don't want to hear it, then I walk out of the room. I do not enter into a conversation. If I do that, its almost like I am validating the *****ing.

You may never change your mum, but you can change how you react to her. I'd suggest what I do, just change the subject, or stay quiet. Whatever you think, I hope you find a way to get through it tho, its very dull hearing it all!

Good luck..