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Feeling suffocated by mum

233 replies

Moonchild009 · 27/08/2023 21:42

Hi all, hope you’re enjoying the bank holiday weekend.

just a quick vent about how I’ve been feeling about my mum for some time now. I’m 33 years old and have 1 brother, I live and work from home with parents (they’re separated, just cohabiting). I have a boyfriend, we’ve been together 2 years. He also lives at home with his sister (who travels frequently). His parents live abroad, so he is living at home quite comfortably. He is a business owner and is choosing to continue building his business while he has the safety net of his parents home. I would like to have and live in my own place before getting a place with my BF as I would like to learn and gain independence and truly step into my womanhood first (sometimes I feel like living at home has mentally stunted me. Also my mum treats me in quite a child like way).

Anyway my relationship with my mother is very strained at the best of times. She is 67, retired and doesn’t have much going for herself. Her days consist of doing a daily food shop and watching tv. She has friends but doesn’t socialise and family are all abroad. She has a huge expectation of me to fulfill all her needs; shopping, cooking, going out, travelling, errands, you name it and it makes me feel suffocated, but not only that, I have no desire to because of how she makes me feel. Honestly, I don’t think she did a great job of raising me. She never taught me life skills, how to cook, clean, never invested in my emotionally or spoke to me about boys, becoming a young woman, life skills and I can’t completely blame her because she was dealing with my alcoholic father. But she did manage to tell me about how distracted the teachers think I am, which I learnt in therapy is a result of the chaos I was raised in. I think I am white resentful about all of this. We live in a two bedroom house, she shares a bed with my dad which is also suffocating for her so its quite a conundrum. i feel like ever since i got with my boyfriend she has become quite bitter and nasty towards me. she constantly judges, and makes snide remarks about him, me, us. i notice a pattern in her behaviour alot of the time. she will bombard me with messages, if i dont respond, she’ll come to my room to ask about the messages, if i say im busy then shell go back to messaging me but this time saying things like "have you looked for a flat", "theres a property ive seen", almost as if shes throwing her toys out the pram about the fact that i cant speak at that time! then she’ll start attacking me personally, my bf, mentioning the fact that he doesnt have his own place and blah blah blah and honestly im sick of it. I’m in this nasty cycle that she has normalised. Arguing and being kind when she’s over it but I never get over it! It causes me to dislike her and not want to be anywhere near her and she doesn’t seem to understand why I prefer my own company than hers. i spend a lot of my days in solitude in my room. I’ve tried to speak to her about how she makes me feel but she dismisses it and thinks she can buy her way back into my good books. I’ve asked for space, I’ve told her I feel suffocated, don’t like how two faced she is about my bf, and quite frankly I don’t feel respected by her.

what can I do?

OP posts:
Moonchild009 · 28/08/2023 14:18

Thankyou! That’s what I’ve been trying to explain - yes moving out will allow me to have privacy, space, freedom, independence etc which is huge but she still very much relies on me to be her single source of social output. She has already mentioned if I purchase a two bedroom flat, she’ll take the second room. When I mention hobbies, socialising, companionship to her she’s uninterested and tells me to focus on my own life. Seems I’ve completely missed the mark in articulating this so thank you for understanding.

also i go to the same destination when I go on these work trips.

OP posts:
SilverGlitterBaubles · 28/08/2023 14:11

Alfiemoon1 · 28/08/2023 14:07

Move out then your dm probably also feels suffocated and frustrated still having you living at home. Then if you choose to you can work on your relationship with your mum

I'm not so sure this is true, I know a similar situation and it is very much the DM that is clinging on to her DD staying a home. Her DD is the only social outlet she has in her life. I mean who would would insist on tagging along with their adult DD on work trips.

SilverGlitterBaubles · 28/08/2023 14:07

SpamFrittersYouSay · 28/08/2023 12:29

There is a very unhealthy dynamic between you and your mum and the only way to end this is to move away and not just round the corner either.

You also need a physical distance.

She's using you as a replacement for her failed marriage as well as a punchbag for her own failings.
The longer this goes on, the more enmeshed you'll be and the toll on your mental wellbeing will be enormous.

I suspect your boyfriend knows much of this already.

Be kind to yourself and find a house/flat share.

This 💯 your relationship has become enmeshed and co dependent which I very unhealthy for you both. The only way to fix this is for you to move out.

Alfiemoon1 · 28/08/2023 14:07

Move out then your dm probably also feels suffocated and frustrated still having you living at home. Then if you choose to you can work on your relationship with your mum

Moonchild009 · 28/08/2023 13:55

It’s in the title. I feel suffocated. When I leave her in peace, she asks me to come home! I mind my business and keep to myself most of the time. I dislike how she makes me feel and the relationship we have fostered.

OP posts:
Gellhell · 28/08/2023 13:54

I'm sure living in London doesn't help. Is there anyway you could move to a cheaper part of the country? It's going to be really tough as a first time buyer in London even outskirts. In terms of your boyfriend what's for you won't go by you as they say.

ThinWomansBrain · 28/08/2023 13:49

Honestly, I don’t think she did a great job of raising me.

Well no, she's ended up with an entitled 33 year adult that she still has to provide a home for.
Leave the poor woman in peace, accept that you're an adult and move out - you seem to dislike the woman a lot, why continue to foist yourself on her?

Moonchild009 · 28/08/2023 13:47

yes I would say we’re similar in that regard because we probably both see ourselves as stuck but I want to and make an effort to get along. I just take a stand when I’m tired of hearing negative, bitter stories and projections of my dad onto myself and my relationship. And I’ve had to deal with comparisons of myself to other kids, girls, women my whole life. I would say im resentful about that.

OP posts:
Moonchild009 · 28/08/2023 13:37

London! Prepared to move the outskirts though

OP posts:
planningnightmare · 28/08/2023 13:34

you are ignoring the advice everyone is giving you here.

you seem stubbornly close minded and extremely unwilling to see the same point anyone is making.

you want a healthier relationship with your mum: you need to move out

you want your mums respect: you need to move out

you want your boyfriend's respect: you need to move out and live like a adult

you want your mum to change: she can't as long as you live at home

you want to buy instead of renting: go into a shared flat till you can.

do you think you are quite similar to your mum in terms of being unhappy but not implementing any changes to a situation? you sound the same to me

Gellhell · 28/08/2023 13:30

I’ve seen lots of mortgage brokers and been on lots of viewings. I’ve been advised to save another £5k then try again.

Really? Not sure where you live in the the country but a 20k deposit is great.

Moonchild009 · 28/08/2023 13:23

I understand what you mean But I’m far from codependent with my boyfriend. But definitely lots of self development work to be done, I don’t know if I’m making excuses but I find this difficult to do at home.

I’ve seen lots of mortgage brokers and been on lots of viewings. I’ve been advised to save another £5k then try again.

OP posts:
Gellhell · 28/08/2023 13:18

*codependent

Gellhell · 28/08/2023 13:18

Curious to know why you don’t think he’s the one?

because I don't think you know yourself yet as an adult woman. And you only attract what you put out into the universe. At the moment you are putting out co depend vibes!

Will you see a mortgage broker..please?!

Moonchild009 · 28/08/2023 13:15

I’m very excited to break free and feel what it’s like to live independently for reasons you mentioned. I’m fine with solitude, probably alot to do with childhood. Curious to know why you don’t think he’s the one?

OP posts:
Gellhell · 28/08/2023 13:13

@Moonchild009 can you answer my post above?

Moonchild009 · 28/08/2023 13:12

More messages from when I left for a week. I’m calling her weird because I don’t know why I’m being told to give my boyfriend a break at 33 years old! I don’t get why it’s necessary to say that after moaning that I should go - which one is it

Feeling suffocated by mum
OP posts:
Gellhell · 28/08/2023 13:12

10 percent or 5 percent deposit mortgages.

Gellhell · 28/08/2023 13:11

Have you looked at 10 percent or even 5 percent mortgages? How much do you earn? Step 1. Google a mortgage broker in your area. They are usually free and include their fees once you get a mortgage. Ask them to help get you a mortgage agreement in principle. Then hit Zoopla to see what you can get within commuting distance of your job.

I'll be brutally honest I don't think your bf is a keeper. You need to do some self development work first and feel like what it's like to just be in your own space and energy (it's bliss). Get a rescue cat and some plants if you need company. Your mum and dad will need their space too as they age.

Alfiemoon1 · 28/08/2023 13:11

Move out you sound like a teenager moaning about your parents from your childhood bedroom you have out stayed your welcome
your mum shouldn’t be having to sleep in the same bed as her ex husband who has a girlfriend because their 33 year old is still living at home.

Harrysarseinthedogbowl · 28/08/2023 12:57

Prescottdanni123 · 28/08/2023 08:08

@LifeIsShambolic

Whenever anyone who still lives at home mentions difficulties with parents, the response always is "Why haven't you moved out?". Do people honestly think that thought hasn't occurred? At the moment, it is a lot easier said than done.

Most people manage it before the age of 33.

Escapetofrance · 28/08/2023 12:49

Move out-of course it’s an option.

Parents can fail us as we grow up, but most try their best not to. It’s good you’ve had therapy and see where your behaviours have stemmed from. Try to build an independent live whilst still supporting your dm, from a distance.

SpamFrittersYouSay · 28/08/2023 12:29

There is a very unhealthy dynamic between you and your mum and the only way to end this is to move away and not just round the corner either.

You also need a physical distance.

She's using you as a replacement for her failed marriage as well as a punchbag for her own failings.
The longer this goes on, the more enmeshed you'll be and the toll on your mental wellbeing will be enormous.

I suspect your boyfriend knows much of this already.

Be kind to yourself and find a house/flat share.

Heartbreaktuna · 28/08/2023 12:27

Are you wearing horse blinders?
You don't need to buy somewhere. Rent a room. I don't get along with my mum so I MOVED OUT 20 years ago....at 17.

Cherrysoup · 28/08/2023 12:27

Is this for real? You’re 33 and still doing what mummy says? Move out.

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