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Elderly parents

MIL being manipulative

29 replies

Whenigrowupiwanttobea · 16/03/2022 10:25

Need advice please. MIL playing my partner (her son) off against his sister (her daughter). She tells us that she doesn't see her daughter enough and tells her daughter that she doedn't see my DP enough. He has done so much for her over the last 5 years. He spends hours with her every week. My SIL sees her every day. They offer to take her out and she refuses then moans about being stuck in the house all day! She has now started telling her neighbours that she is all alone and sees nobody! The neighbours bought her a birthday cake and presents and cards because they felt sorry for her. She conveniantly forgot spending time with us and being spoiled rotten for her birthday! It is so manipulative but my DP won't call her out on it instead gets annoyed and takes it out on me! What can I do?

OP posts:
lemongreentea · 16/03/2022 10:49

stay out of it and accept that she has a relationship with her son which you sound jealous of. leave the poor woman alone and stop shit stirring. shes old and will probably die soon then you will be free.

RippleQueen · 16/03/2022 10:43

Could be some sort of dementia? Memory loss isn’t necessarily the first symptom, can be behaviour changes. Has she seen a GP recently? Blood tests to check B12 and thyroid levels and a simple memory test maybe wise. She may resist and say nothing’s wrong. You may bleed to use subterfuge to get her there.
I would keep a log of the incidents and then maybe email the GP with your concerns.

Cinnabomb · 16/03/2022 10:28

It’s really difficult OP. Something to consider, these sorts of personality changes can be an early sign of cognitive decline? Not clear how old she is from your post.

WindowsSmindows · 16/03/2022 10:26

That's what frustrated elderly people do.
"Call her out on it" ha ha ha catch yourself on!!