Here’s an example:

Today I wanted to send a text to my son who is in a region with severe weather to see if he is okay. He’s not speaking to us due to a huge falling out, but I am still his mom and love him, so why not reach out?

I told my husband I was thinking about texting, “Did you make it to work okay in this terrible weather? Please don’t ghost me, it’s cruel and immature.” But, I thought it would not be well received and only make for more ghosting and anger from him.

My husband threw me for a loop and said, “Don’t do it. He’d hate that you think he is an incompetent driver and this would only cause more trouble.”

I agree, not to send it. But how did he think that I was implying my son was an incompetent driver from my words? That was not my thinking. I was concerned for him on the road dealing with weather and other drivers. Did my words sound as though I was criticizing him?

If my husband misinterpreted it and read that into my words, does he just choose to look upon me negatively? He thought I wanted to criticize our son’s driving? So, now I just feel like completely isolating from all of them. They all look upon me negatively when I’m not? Does a mother have no right to be concerned for her adult son’s safety in a nationally reported storm?

Our other son texted that he was fine. No problem. He did not read into it that I was insulting his ability. Why did my husband? Are the boys thinking everything out of my mouth is insulting, when it is not?

I definitely have an issue now with people who know and supposedly love me choosing to look upon me negatively, when that is not my intention. My behavior of them shows nothing but good, loving intentions. I’m so frustrated and sad.