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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Mum expects me to take care of her in old age, I don’t want to AIBU?

111 replies

AdvicePleaseHelp · 25/11/2024 21:25

My Mum was horrible to me growing up, a bad Mum. There were a lot of problems in the family home, emotional and mental abuse and an alcoholic Dad. I was a child that reacted to this but all the family issues were placed squarely on my shoulders. She neglected me badly enough for it to be led to bullying and it was just horrible.

She lies to herself about how horrible it was and how horrible she was to me and believes her own lies.

We recently had a conversation about care homes, (we pretend that I didn’t have the childhood I did) and I said I had no intentions to look after anyone in their old age (I’m much harder to bully these days) she looked genuinely surprised and said ‘I thought you would look after me’ instead of her going into a home, I said it’s not something I want to go through.

So, considering we brush past the past AIBU, should I be helping my Mum when she gets old and provide the care for her she never gave me so she doesn’t go into a home?

Just to add - I’m currently working on going lower & lower contact with her but when you’ve grown up and this has been your normal and all of a sudden realise as an adult how fucked up that was it’s incredibly hard to just go NC when it’s never been an issue before and many other family members would be greatly affected.

OP posts:
CulturalNomad · 25/11/2024 21:44

StMarie4me · 25/11/2024 21:28

I do not expect my grown children to look after me. I have told them so. And we are very close.

Same here. As much as possible we should all make contingency plans regarding care and assistance that we may require as we age. Expecting adult children to put their lives on hold and become full-time carers shouldn't be part of those plans.

I had a somewhat difficult relationship with my late mother. In her final years I made sure that she got the care and support that she needed, but I did not volunteer to become her carer.

Nothanks17 · 25/11/2024 21:41

My mum would never ever expect me to do this and we are very close. It came up in conversation once when we met up with MIL and I said my mums always said to me she wouldn't dream of placing the burden on me and I am glad because I don't want to do that ever or change the dynamic of our relationship or take away her privacy and dignity....and the look on her face... I felt a bit bad but I don't wanna wipe my mums bum hole never mind someone elses.

AdvicePleaseHelp · 25/11/2024 21:41

RandomMess · 25/11/2024 21:35

Did she look after her parents?

Not that it matters I was just curious.

No but they did not live near by.

OP posts:
AdvicePleaseHelp · 25/11/2024 21:41

Love51 · 25/11/2024 21:32

Yanbu.
I wouldn't bother discussing it until it becomes relevant though.

Yeah I think that’s a good idea. I have discussed it with siblings though so they are aware that if they choose to look after her I will be helping.

OP posts:
Sassysoonwins · 25/11/2024 21:39

YANBU at all OP. The astounding cheek of her to treat you badly then expect what could be more than 10 years of servitude.

Tell her not a chance. I speak as someone who went no contact with my own unpleasant mother 10 years before she died.

Jellycatspyjamas · 25/11/2024 21:37

I had very difficult parents, my mum died a few years ago and there’s no way in hell I’d be caring for my dad should the time come. I haven’t discussed it with him, I just won’t be doing it.

RandomMess · 25/11/2024 21:35

Did she look after her parents?

Not that it matters I was just curious.

Love51 · 25/11/2024 21:32

Yanbu.
I wouldn't bother discussing it until it becomes relevant though.

StMarie4me · 25/11/2024 21:28

I do not expect my grown children to look after me. I have told them so. And we are very close.

Crazycatlady79 · 25/11/2024 21:28

Considering your experience of her as a parent, no you are not at all unreasonable.
My parent was an absolute horror towards my sibling and me and, nope, neither of us was there for her, apart from ensuring she actually got end of life care.
It may sound callous, but when someone treats you like shit as a child - and it continues into adult life - you don't owe them anything.

blitzen · 25/11/2024 21:27

YANBU, OP. You have to live your own life. Hold firm and good luck x