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To put my mental health first

212 replies

LoserMonA · 23/07/2025 16:04

This is long and complicated but I really need some advice and to know whether I'm being unreasonable.

I'm in my 30’s and still live at home due to severe mental health issues. I live with my mother and my younger sister and for the past year—my older sister too. I have agrophobia and I haven't left the house in a lot of years. I mostly stick to my bedroom.

For the past 9 years, my mother has been having her grandchildren every weekend. They're not her grandchildren by blood (this is the complicated bit) They’re the children of someone my mother adopted (unofficially) At first it was just the one (DGD) but now there is five of them (they're a blended family) DSGS (13) DGD (10) DSGS (10) DGD (3) and DGS (6M). She will have the two youngest from thus-monday and the oldest three Fri-Sun. The house is always very chaotic and that's something I struggle with.

Now, I adore all of the kids and I have a really good relationship with them. I call them my nephews and nieces and they call me Auntie. They love hanging out with me and I love spending time with them. However, they can be a handful, especially the two oldest. They fight constantly. DGD has explosive tantrums which include yelling, throwing things, and screaming/crying. This type of behaviour is something I really can't handle, it makes me anxious and I get overwhelmed and experience sensory overload. DGD is always in some kind of trouble. She has recently been being violent at school and sometimes shows aggression towards her siblings. As far as I know her parents are in the process of seeking help for her behaviour because its gotten to a point where they can't manage it either.

I have spoken to my mother and told her that having them here with all the chaos and the fighting and tantrums, is really affecting me mentally which in turn is taking a toll of my physical health. However, she says its her house and her choice to have them and I can't control who she has in her house. She says I'm being selfish by not wanting them here every week. She says she should be allowed to spend as much time with them as she wants. She will not budge on the matter

I honestly don't know what to. I'm at a real loss because I can't move out and even if I could, I don't think I would cope on my own. Now, I'm debating with myself on whether I am just being selfish and dramatic or if I really am entitled to some peace and quiet once in a while.

OP posts:
OhHellolittleone · 23/07/2025 19:30

Could your mam go to their house to babysit sometimes? It seems crazy to have someone else’s kids so often away from their home. Especially the baby? Babies need their mammies. Is the mother not able to? If so do you think might need to speak to SS as it almost sounds like fostering/ respite care.

Lanzarotelady · 23/07/2025 19:25

LoserMonA · 23/07/2025 19:07

I really don't want them to. I just wanted a little break so I could breathe again.

Seriously?

Mrsttcno1 · 23/07/2025 19:24

LoserMonA · 23/07/2025 19:20

I said that once in anger and it did not go over very well so I have never said anything like that again. I just wanted a little break not for her to stop having them all together.

Thank you for being so kind to me and giving helpful advice. I appreciate it.

I don’t think that’s fair to be honest. You’ve been living there for 10 years now, at some point your mum is allowed to decide who she wants in her own home.

Reach out to your local council, get yourself on the list for your own property. Once the actual move is done, in one day, you never have to face this again.

NowYouSee · 23/07/2025 19:24

The more you write the more fucked up this situation sounds OP. Your mum didn’t prioritise you as a child and she won’t now. And the kids being around is a constant reminder.

If you keep doing what you’ve always done you’ll get what you’ve always got. Your mum won’t change so you have to decide the best route for you. So I would drop the “oh I feel guilty if I put on headphones/don’t help” etc. she makes her choices, you make yours. Decide what the best route for you is from the things you can control and stride towards it. I suspect if you can find a way to living independently feel a lot better for it.

As an aide whoever is having all these kids needs to stop having more if they can’t cope to this extent.

Lanzarotelady · 23/07/2025 19:20

LoserMonA · 23/07/2025 19:12

Some days I can do the basics shower, cook, tidy up. Some days I can't do any of them which is fine when the children aren't here. But when the children are here and I'm forcing myself to do the tasks they need me to do to take care of them, it causes burnout. I don't really have any recovery time which is what I was asking for.

You have said you're not disabled! Why are you getting burnt out at doing day to day tasks, recovery time, recover from what!??!

LoserMonA · 23/07/2025 19:20

Takenoprisoner · 23/07/2025 19:14

Your mother is still prioritising a woman who isn't her daughter and 5 children who aren't her grandchildren over her own daughters, again. I really hope you find a way forward. I couldn't live like that. It sounds very difficult.

I said that once in anger and it did not go over very well so I have never said anything like that again. I just wanted a little break not for her to stop having them all together.

Thank you for being so kind to me and giving helpful advice. I appreciate it.

OP posts:
LoserMonA · 23/07/2025 19:17

Takenoprisoner · 23/07/2025 18:48

I feel that a lot of your mental health issues including agoraphobia are down to your parents treatment of you. She sounds very difficult and controlling.

Are you getting any therapy/counselling or other support for your mental health?

I get therapy but with the nhs its only on six week blocks and I can't afford to go private. I'm on meds for generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder and depression.

OP posts:
Takenoprisoner · 23/07/2025 19:14

LoserMonA · 23/07/2025 19:03

Something happened where it was no longer safe for me or my younger sister to live at home. She basically had to make a choice between us and someone else and she chose them. My sister went to live with her father and I moved in with other family members. My sister went back after a little while but I didn't. I didn't move back until I was in my twenties.

I think adult social services will likely be my next move. Honestly, I didn't know they could help me as apart from my mental health, I have no disabilities.

Your mother is still prioritising a woman who isn't her daughter and 5 children who aren't her grandchildren over her own daughters, again. I really hope you find a way forward. I couldn't live like that. It sounds very difficult.

LoserMonA · 23/07/2025 19:12

Oneeyedonkey · 23/07/2025 18:58

Why can't you so much physically? What can you do for yourself?

Some days I can do the basics shower, cook, tidy up. Some days I can't do any of them which is fine when the children aren't here. But when the children are here and I'm forcing myself to do the tasks they need me to do to take care of them, it causes burnout. I don't really have any recovery time which is what I was asking for.

OP posts:
LoserMonA · 23/07/2025 19:07

Pinkissmart · 23/07/2025 18:59

OP you simply can't expect everyone in your sphere to make their lives smaller just because yours is.

I really don't want them to. I just wanted a little break so I could breathe again.

OP posts:
LoserMonA · 23/07/2025 19:05

Vivienne1000 · 23/07/2025 18:52

Your mum sounds amazing. You are in your 30s, insisting that you have to live at home. Do you help in any way or is everything on your poor Mum? Have you ever thought about her mental health? I would say you are fortunate to have the opportunity to live at home. You need help so you can move on and give your Mum some space. It’s your mums home, so if she loves having the children round, then let her. Get ear plugs!

If you read my comments you will see that I'm not insisting that I live at home. I want to move out. I do help with whatever I can help with. I'm not living rent-free with no responsibilities.

OP posts:
Blondebrownorred · 23/07/2025 19:03

Your poor mum.

LoserMonA · 23/07/2025 19:03

MrBallenIsaFittie · 23/07/2025 18:47

It sounds like a very complicated fucked up family dynamic to be honest. Why did you first move out at 14 @LoserMonA ?
The parents of these children need to step up and do some parenting, unilaterally deciding they can't cope and palming them off on a 60 odd year old woman is quite frankly appalling.
She needs to start charging for child care which will pay for the clothes and baby wipes etc so she is less reliant on you and your sisters for her income.
Regardless of your mental health I think you would struggle living in a house with four adults and multiple children (I would!) I'm sure you would benefit immensely if you could find some sheltered housing accommodation. Can you face calling adult social services and discussing your situation with them to see what your next move might be?

Something happened where it was no longer safe for me or my younger sister to live at home. She basically had to make a choice between us and someone else and she chose them. My sister went to live with her father and I moved in with other family members. My sister went back after a little while but I didn't. I didn't move back until I was in my twenties.

I think adult social services will likely be my next move. Honestly, I didn't know they could help me as apart from my mental health, I have no disabilities.

OP posts:
Mrsttcno1 · 23/07/2025 18:59

LoserMonA · 23/07/2025 18:45

Yes. But I cannot go outside and moving house usually involves that

Potentially the only “outside” would be to actually move to the new property. That 1 day is the easier option than trying to dictate to your mum indefinitely for the next 10 years.

Pinkissmart · 23/07/2025 18:59

OP you simply can't expect everyone in your sphere to make their lives smaller just because yours is.

Oneeyedonkey · 23/07/2025 18:58

LoserMonA · 23/07/2025 18:39

I can't do much physically. I struggle heavily with everyday things. I do as much as I can but some days that is very little or nothing at all. But I do not rely on my mother to do them for me. If I can't cook a meal, I will order something. I don't ask her to do anything for me as I know she has enough on her plate. My sister will help me if its something I really need to do and can't. I don't put any pressure on my mother.

Why can't you so much physically? What can you do for yourself?

SunnySideDeepDown · 23/07/2025 18:57

Why does the baby’s mum not want to be with her own baby for more than half the week? Most mums wouldn’t want to be without their baby for a day, let alone 4.

Does the whole family experience poor mental health?

Newmumburnout · 23/07/2025 18:56

Sorry if I have missed it OP but I assume you work since you are able to contribute financially to the house ?

Vivienne1000 · 23/07/2025 18:52

Your mum sounds amazing. You are in your 30s, insisting that you have to live at home. Do you help in any way or is everything on your poor Mum? Have you ever thought about her mental health? I would say you are fortunate to have the opportunity to live at home. You need help so you can move on and give your Mum some space. It’s your mums home, so if she loves having the children round, then let her. Get ear plugs!

Indicateyourintentions · 23/07/2025 18:49

This sounds like a very difficult situation op. If I were you I would make a plan with the goal being to move into my own place. Then I would write down the first 10 teeny tiny steps that would move me towards that goal. Then the next 10 and so on until you reach your goal, even if it takes a long time it will be ok because you will be able to see progress.
By the way you sound like a really lovely person helping out with as much as you can. I do think both you and your mother are being used. So you might want to reflect on that a bit.
Hope things improve for you; you’ve lived independently before and you can do it again.

IberianBlackout · 23/07/2025 18:48

LoserMonA · 23/07/2025 18:44

I do have noise cancelling headphones and I use them when I really can't cope with the noise but because of my irrational anxiety, I fear that if I use them more, I will not hear if something happens.

I don't think I could do that because that would lead to her struggling a lot which would impact the children and I would feel so bad because none of this is their fault.

Well, something’s gotta give. Have you considered telling her that you’re thinking of finding alternative accommodation as you can’t cope?

I don’t think it’s unreasonable to not want kids being rowdy so often if this is a mutually beneficial arrangement. She needs to take your needs into consideration too.

Takenoprisoner · 23/07/2025 18:48

LoserMonA · 23/07/2025 18:45

Yes. But I cannot go outside and moving house usually involves that

I feel that a lot of your mental health issues including agoraphobia are down to your parents treatment of you. She sounds very difficult and controlling.

Are you getting any therapy/counselling or other support for your mental health?

LoserMonA · 23/07/2025 18:47

Mrsttcno1 · 23/07/2025 18:41

Which is exactly my point. If OP truly was not reliant or dependent on anyone else in that house then they could just move out.

I rely on her to live here but she also relies on me to live here. If I didn't live here, she would be in financial trouble.

OP posts:
MrBallenIsaFittie · 23/07/2025 18:47

It sounds like a very complicated fucked up family dynamic to be honest. Why did you first move out at 14 @LoserMonA ?
The parents of these children need to step up and do some parenting, unilaterally deciding they can't cope and palming them off on a 60 odd year old woman is quite frankly appalling.
She needs to start charging for child care which will pay for the clothes and baby wipes etc so she is less reliant on you and your sisters for her income.
Regardless of your mental health I think you would struggle living in a house with four adults and multiple children (I would!) I'm sure you would benefit immensely if you could find some sheltered housing accommodation. Can you face calling adult social services and discussing your situation with them to see what your next move might be?

LoserMonA · 23/07/2025 18:45

Mrsttcno1 · 23/07/2025 18:42

In that case then you could outsource those same tasks if you lived independently?

Yes. But I cannot go outside and moving house usually involves that

OP posts:
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