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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Our lives being run on partners mother's life!

113 replies

Elephant788 · 31/12/2025 18:26

So my partners mother lived with us for 4 months after lockdown and she gave everyone so much hell, from refusing to wash and only agrees to wash every 4-6 weeks. That caused such a stench. I wad expected to guve her a shower myself whilst I was in early pregnancy, and that meant lifting her etc as she had a stroke few years back.
All that was not appreciated, she used to curse me like butter wouldnt melt, She would be verbally abusive and called me and my grown up daughters names. I spent most of my days in tears and suffered.so much stress at her hands. I lost that pregnancy. My Partner would say well shes old and shes angry because she had a stroke.
Fast forward..., she moved out and lives in a bungalow 20mins walk away - she has now been diagnosed with dementia. Here is the issue -My Partner is in seriously in denial about the dementia to be point where even if her mobility is poor, poor memory, can't make any decisions, always falling in that bungalow (ive now refused to go and manually lift her up), shes incontinent of urine and faeces but he refuses to entertain any talk of a home at least to give her quality of life. She has Carers 4.times a day but she refused washes and still smells badly.

For context when I met my Partner he moved in my house and am a sole owner. I feel that he doesn't want his mum to go in a home because he'll lose inheriting her house when she dies as the Council would expect it to be sold to cover the care.
We were with her at Xmas and id booked a meal out. I paid £480 for the meal and my Partner didnt even offered to go halves. His mother wanted to pay something and he kept saying to her mum its already been paid for - I asked him why he was saying that as it hadn't been. She was kicking off in the restaurant, wet herself and was parting so loud and laughing about it...

Now we were suppose to eat at our local pub tomorrow for New Year day lunch but my Partner has now cancelled this late this afternoon, because she is still kicking off and if we went alone ( I have a 20 year daughter from my first marriage and two girls with him 6 and 4), apparently she'd miss out! So we cant go. He was meant to be paying for that, so thats cancelled.

Instead he says he is bringing her here to the house and he will cook!

AIBU after all I've been through to feel like my life is now determined by this woman and now shes ruined Xmas and now ruining New Year too?

Can I refuse for her to come and ask him to go be with his mum for New Year lunch. Normally I wouldn't mind supporting him with her but she's not a nice person. Even her neighbours don't speak to her so shes very lonely.

Thanks for reading and allowing me to rant❤️.

Am on the verge of thinking about splitting with him and asking him to leave but I dont want to raise kids alone when he's out there but the situation with his mum is draining and he gets very anxious and gets all over the place which affects the dynamics here.

Basically she rules and dictates what happens to everyone. I equally blames him too! Do I ask him to move in with his mother so I can breathe? Ive suggested this snd he refuses claiming he loves me🙄

Don't ask about love please,it doesnt matter t

  • the issues are summarised above

Thanks again if youve read this far Xx

OP posts:
rainbowstardrops · 01/01/2026 10:47

I’d tell him to go to his mum’s and stay there.

Elephant788 · 01/01/2026 10:45

Holesintheground · 31/12/2025 23:11

I'm afraid the first bit here isn't accurate. If you have money or assets you have to pay, but if you own a house, the council will generally enter into a deferred payment agreement where they pay until the house is sold and you then pay them back from the proceeds. However, that's all his job to deal with. Tell him to go and get legal back up. A solicitor will help with the options and give you confidence in what you're doing. Or Citizens Advice Bureau if money is tight. Take your girls out tomorrow and tell him he's not coming as he should spend time with his mum.

Its exactly what ive done and he slept on sofa! Result X

OP posts:
blackpooolrock · 01/01/2026 10:39

When he goes out get someone to change the lock and don't let him back in. If he asks where he can go tell him to go to his mums house. If he gets violent call the police and explain the situation.

EchoesOfOurDreams · 01/01/2026 10:36

onetrickrockingpony · 01/01/2026 03:50

OP I think you’ve been looking at the wrong information online. You don’t need a court order to remove someone from your house when they have no claim or ownership of the house. Just pack up a bin bag of his stuff, stick it outside, and change the locks. He has no rights here.

Agreed. I've got no idea what she has been looking at.

jeaux90 · 01/01/2026 10:30

You don’t need to go to court to get him out OP. Also let me tell you, as a lone parent of many years it’s way more peaceful and liberating than having a shit partner.

Greenwitchart · 01/01/2026 10:18

Dump him and let him deal with his mother. Get your life back.

Daygloboo · 01/01/2026 10:10

Elephant788 · 31/12/2025 18:26

So my partners mother lived with us for 4 months after lockdown and she gave everyone so much hell, from refusing to wash and only agrees to wash every 4-6 weeks. That caused such a stench. I wad expected to guve her a shower myself whilst I was in early pregnancy, and that meant lifting her etc as she had a stroke few years back.
All that was not appreciated, she used to curse me like butter wouldnt melt, She would be verbally abusive and called me and my grown up daughters names. I spent most of my days in tears and suffered.so much stress at her hands. I lost that pregnancy. My Partner would say well shes old and shes angry because she had a stroke.
Fast forward..., she moved out and lives in a bungalow 20mins walk away - she has now been diagnosed with dementia. Here is the issue -My Partner is in seriously in denial about the dementia to be point where even if her mobility is poor, poor memory, can't make any decisions, always falling in that bungalow (ive now refused to go and manually lift her up), shes incontinent of urine and faeces but he refuses to entertain any talk of a home at least to give her quality of life. She has Carers 4.times a day but she refused washes and still smells badly.

For context when I met my Partner he moved in my house and am a sole owner. I feel that he doesn't want his mum to go in a home because he'll lose inheriting her house when she dies as the Council would expect it to be sold to cover the care.
We were with her at Xmas and id booked a meal out. I paid £480 for the meal and my Partner didnt even offered to go halves. His mother wanted to pay something and he kept saying to her mum its already been paid for - I asked him why he was saying that as it hadn't been. She was kicking off in the restaurant, wet herself and was parting so loud and laughing about it...

Now we were suppose to eat at our local pub tomorrow for New Year day lunch but my Partner has now cancelled this late this afternoon, because she is still kicking off and if we went alone ( I have a 20 year daughter from my first marriage and two girls with him 6 and 4), apparently she'd miss out! So we cant go. He was meant to be paying for that, so thats cancelled.

Instead he says he is bringing her here to the house and he will cook!

AIBU after all I've been through to feel like my life is now determined by this woman and now shes ruined Xmas and now ruining New Year too?

Can I refuse for her to come and ask him to go be with his mum for New Year lunch. Normally I wouldn't mind supporting him with her but she's not a nice person. Even her neighbours don't speak to her so shes very lonely.

Thanks for reading and allowing me to rant❤️.

Am on the verge of thinking about splitting with him and asking him to leave but I dont want to raise kids alone when he's out there but the situation with his mum is draining and he gets very anxious and gets all over the place which affects the dynamics here.

Basically she rules and dictates what happens to everyone. I equally blames him too! Do I ask him to move in with his mother so I can breathe? Ive suggested this snd he refuses claiming he loves me🙄

Don't ask about love please,it doesnt matter t

  • the issues are summarised above

Thanks again if youve read this far Xx

She probably needs to go in a home for her own safety. Nothing to do with you or partner.

Bananalanacake · 01/01/2026 09:50

I hope you get rid of him today too.

Cheese55 · 01/01/2026 09:24

Not to de rail the thread as this sounds like the issue is someone wanting permission to leave their partner but, if someone has 4 calls a day that would have been arranged by adult social care. The mother can't just be 'moved into a home', the 4 calls might be deemed adequate at the current time. Incontinence doesn't auto mean care home.

gamerchick · 01/01/2026 09:20

Why are you asking us though OP?

Tell your bloke to go to his mother's. Tell him that if she's coming today then you and your kids are going out for the day. So either way he's alone with her.

And as you aren't married or the house is not in his name. You can absolutely kick the fucker out.

Tell him to go and live with his mother. Then you don't have to see her again.

ApolloandDaphne · 01/01/2026 09:14

I agree.

CatMummyOf3 · 01/01/2026 09:06

As others have said, you don't have a 'partner's mother' problem, you have a partner problem. I feel so sorry for her, in all honesty. She had a stroke (not her fault) and now has been diagnosed with Dementia (also not her fault). She may have been a difficult person before these events, I don't know, but she absolutely can't control how she is now.

It is unbelievably cruel to leave someone who is doubly incontinent, presumably with mobility issues, alone in her home with just occasional visits from carers. My MIL was diagnosed with Dementia about 10 years ago; she died just under a year ago. His "she'll be dead soon" is not guaranteed - the only guarantee is that she will deteriorate. As pointed out by a pp, she is at high risk of UTIs due to her poor hygiene and her assumed age. (He's 58. She's mid to late 70's, maybe in her 80's?) UTIs are awful if left untreated and will exacerbate her symptoms of confusion, and as many of us know will make her feel bloody awful. She needs full time care - and that is not your problem, it is down to your partner and his brother to sort.

I believe you have what is called a cocklodger on MN, an abusive one at that. He wants to be added onto the deeds of your property (which I'm glad to read you have repeatedly refused to do); he pays you a pittance towards the bills despite being the father to 2 of your children; he refuses to leave because he "loves you 🙄"; he refuses to properly look after his own mother yet expects you to; he refuses to work FT. These are your problems to fix, if you choose to do so.

LlynTegid · 01/01/2026 09:02

Homegrownberries · 01/01/2026 00:48

"he won't leave and last time I packed his stuff he threatened to call police and went proper mental"

Go to your local police station. Tell them this and ask them what to do. Forget about what your neighbours think.

I agree.

IsEveryUserNameBloodyTaken · 01/01/2026 08:51

Elephant788 · 31/12/2025 22:41

Ive researches and have to get Court involved as he won't leave and last time I packed his stuff he threatened to call police and went proper mental eith his anxiety pacing up and down saying I can throw him out! Bills are £3.5 ish total, he gives me.800 straight and doesnt pay any bills. Or nursery fees ive paid since last one DD almost 4 was 6months at nursery. Everytime I bring the Financial burden he shouts its not the point and won't dicuss it further
My plan is.to.get him out then claim he pays maintenance or co-parents 50/50.
He refuses to work FT!

Yeah he’s a chancer,a parasite and looks after no 1 himself only.

SleafordSods · 01/01/2026 07:54

Also have a look on YouTube on how to change your locks. You shouldn’t need a locksmith to do it for you, often you can just get the things you neex from B&Q.

Dgll · 01/01/2026 07:44

yeesh · 31/12/2025 18:48

Your partner is the entire problem, he’s a leech. Won’t allow his mother to be properly cared for so he can have her house when she dies and then living in your house with you paying for everything and running around after him.

I totally agree with this. This is not someone you want to grow old with.

Daleksatemyshed · 01/01/2026 07:40

Sounds like you've wanted him to leave for some time Op so just get proper advice and get him out. He's 58, he won't work FT, he just wants a quiet life living off you and his poor DM even though you have young DC. I wouldn't be so hard on him but he's neglecting his ill DM in the worst way, she doesn't need fancy lunches, she needs proper care.

SleafordSods · 01/01/2026 07:36

Have just read your updates. It sounds as though he is abusing you. Both financial abuse and coercive control.

Please ring National Domestic Abuse Helpline and talk to them about how to exit the relationship safely and get him to leave.

I would also ask in the legal section to see if he has any claim on your home Flowers

Homepage - National Domestic Abuse Helpline

Are you experiencing domestic abuse? You are not alone. Find out how the National Domestic Abuse helpline can support you.

https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/

SleafordSods · 01/01/2026 07:28

You’re only thinking of splitting? Do it. Do it today. Ask him to leave and he can go and stay with his DM. He’s not a Partner in any way here. He’s not listening to anything you say and it doesn’t seem like he’s contributing much to your life either.

The DC will probably be happier once they don’t have to have their plans changed constantly for his Mum too.

OnceIn · 01/01/2026 07:11

Let him ring the police, they will help him leave. He’s no legal rights here and you don’t need a court order to make him leave.

just tell him he has to leave by x date and if he doesn’t change the locks and phone the police to ensure he leaves. He’s just trying to frighten you. If you don’t feel safe giving him a timeframe (I’d suggest a week, change the locks, pack his stuff up and if he kicks off YOU phone the police

Lurkingandlearning · 01/01/2026 07:11

So that moved on a lot while I was typing

Tigger18 · 01/01/2026 06:34

Just change the locks and send his stuff to his mum's. If he comes to the house and makes a fuss you call the police 💐 can you get someone to stay with you for a few days?

Isittimeformynapyet · 01/01/2026 05:48

Muffinmam · 01/01/2026 04:37

This woman and her son are the reason you lost your baby.

Kick them both out.

Seriously. Get child support off him. He can live with his smelly mother.

His mother is not living in OP's house - that was a temporary arrangement.

And we can certainly suspect that the stress and physical exertion of caring for his mother contributed to losing the baby, but it's really not conclusive. I've just looked them both up.

thepariscrimefiles · 01/01/2026 05:38

TheSunRisesInTheEast · 01/01/2026 01:15

So it's less to do with your grievance towards his mother, and more to do with you wanting to get rid of your partner. I hope you're not being egged on by people on here who are so quick to tell you to get rid of him. How was your relationship before the strain of looking after his mum? Dementia is a cruel disease and needs professional help, he sounds like he can't accept that his mum needs more help now than home carers, a more permanent arrangement, ie care home would be more appropriate, although finances are an issue, and selling her house to pay for the care home is annoying but necessary. You have children with this man, were you happy together before having to deal with his mum and her dementia? Give your situation plenty of thought, you don't know how long his mum has left, it's probably very difficult for him to see his mum deteriorating with the dementia, it's very tough. Relationships have ups and downs, it would be good if you could support one another through the bad times, we are all strangers to you, don't throw everything away on the basis that some people on here want you to dump him and hang him out to dry, so to speak. Good luck in deciding what to do, but don't be hasty x

If you think that OP would be being hasty if she got rid of her abusive partner, there is something wrong with you. God knows why you are trying to make OP feel guilty.

Isittimeformynapyet · 01/01/2026 05:35

Fishingboatbobbingnight · 01/01/2026 02:56

The undue haste which so many MN posters advocate , splitting up a relationship especially with young children involved - is one of the MOST annoying things on MN
However . This is one of the few times I would say that for the sake of the kids and your happiness, he has to go.

You will find it a lot easier without this dead weight around your neck. Your home will be happier as well !

Your partner has his eye on his main chance . He thought fhat getting his name out on your dead’s was a sure fire way - only you were too smart to allow it , so now he is eagerly awaiting his mothers death and denying her the appropriate care because he wants his money . Or money he thinks is his.
someone needs to make a referral to adult safeguarding at her local council and fast x

Same - I've never joined a chorus of LTB but I actually can't see another way for @Elephant788 to improve her situation, especially as he's refused to leave previously.

@TheSunRisesInTheEast seemed to overlook this bullying in her post. This doesn't sound as though OP is reaching her conclusion on these responses alone.

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