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Do mothers ever get to rest?

129 replies

CatfoodOzymandias · 20/07/2023 06:46

Been looking at some trending threads lately. It seems that parents of young adults, but particularly mothers, are now supposed to:

Allow their DC to stay in the family home for as long as they want to, even if they are 40, because rents are high, house sharing is disgusting and "you brought them into the world".
Provide childcare for grandchildren on demand, because "Don;t you want a bond with your grandchildren?" If you are retired, then "What else could you be doing with your time anyway"
If you provide childcare, you have to follow all the instructions given by your DC to rear grandchildren, because DC "can draw their own boundaries" and "have a right to decide how their children are reared."
If you have a large house, you must downsize and give the money to your DC because you are a boomer who benefited from low property prices...

All this is because "You are a mother for life" so suck it up and continue serving your DC until you die. After all ( chorus): You brought them into the world!

Do mums ever get to put their feet up, and decide what to do with their time and space? or have they given up this right because they brought someone into the world?

OP posts:
Zebedee55 · 20/07/2023 16:57

CatfoodOzymandias · 20/07/2023 06:46

Been looking at some trending threads lately. It seems that parents of young adults, but particularly mothers, are now supposed to:

Allow their DC to stay in the family home for as long as they want to, even if they are 40, because rents are high, house sharing is disgusting and "you brought them into the world".
Provide childcare for grandchildren on demand, because "Don;t you want a bond with your grandchildren?" If you are retired, then "What else could you be doing with your time anyway"
If you provide childcare, you have to follow all the instructions given by your DC to rear grandchildren, because DC "can draw their own boundaries" and "have a right to decide how their children are reared."
If you have a large house, you must downsize and give the money to your DC because you are a boomer who benefited from low property prices...

All this is because "You are a mother for life" so suck it up and continue serving your DC until you die. After all ( chorus): You brought them into the world!

Do mums ever get to put their feet up, and decide what to do with their time and space? or have they given up this right because they brought someone into the world?

I wouldn't go half of this. Adult kids need to sort out their lives, unless it's a crisis.

I sometimes think we enable them.

Sort out your boundaries and stick to them.

maxandru · 20/07/2023 17:54

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Wow, this just seems really really cruel!

MammaTo · 20/07/2023 18:26

adriftinadenofvipers · 20/07/2023 15:58

I'd probably have written your post too 25 years ago. You can't ever imagine your child being an adult. We had the best time actually during lockdown. I was in my element with everyone being home! It's not that I want them to move out now either, I love them dearly and prefer their company to anyone else in the world.

You're not going to get it because that's not where you are in life. If I lived next door to my kids, I don't want to do their childcare. It would have been a bit inconvenient if I had been reliant on my parents for that as they had both passed away by the time my youngest was 3. I want to be able to do exactly as I please when I retire, and I don't want to be tied down to a routine. I think I've earned that. I've never had freedom and autonomy, and I want it while I am still fit enough to enjoy it.

I’m not talking about anything to do with my baby, I’m asking why 3 adult kids at home means you can’t relax? In my original post all I made reference to was my relationship with my mum now, nothing to do with currently only having a baby.

Even other people have asked you the same question! You’re just being obtuse because you know youre making a martyr of yourself.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Forestfriendlygarden · 20/07/2023 19:43

Mojoj · 20/07/2023 16:10

It is for me. Fact.😀

You missed out an important sentence of my statement and therefore your quote of me is misleading.

What I said was:

'The reality of human relationships in society is a bit more complicated'.

That's true. It depends on socio economic circumstances, individual circumstances and shed loads of other things.

Don't misquote someone it is very misleading.

ResponsibleWalrus · 20/07/2023 19:57

My mum took on childcare for us but we pay her what we would have paid a nanny. I wouldn't have expected free childcare. So far it's a win-win. We would have paid the same price for a nanny but it's my mum so she is more flexible in an emergency and she successfully raised me and my siblings so I trust her implicitly.

My dad had to stop working unexpectedly at 57 due to health problems. My mum had been out of work for 15 years at the time due to relocating with my dad's work and not having a working visa in other countries. She had found a job managing a B&M store to pay the bills when we asked if she'd do childcare and she was happy to accept as she earns more from us now. My dad also joins in with childcare and loves having our DD around the house during the day. Early retirement was a struggle for him but his health is so unpredictable the flexibility of joining in with playing with DD and other days leaving her to gives him purpose when he can cope with it .

It's a way to help my parents out financially while also helping ease stress. If DD has a bad day and needs to be stuck in front of a tv for 8 hours of the day that's fine, I know that a normal day involves her being absolutely doted on and they never have to answer to us.

Forestfriendlygarden · 20/07/2023 22:59

Mojoj · 20/07/2023 16:10

It is for me. Fact.😀

Congrats Mojo, you have obviously got it all sorted...

Not sure tho if this is the case what you are doing on this thread?

Although I'm sure everyone here is grateful for the greater wisdom you choose to impart...😉

adriftinadenofvipers · 21/07/2023 01:31

MammaTo · 20/07/2023 18:26

I’m not talking about anything to do with my baby, I’m asking why 3 adult kids at home means you can’t relax? In my original post all I made reference to was my relationship with my mum now, nothing to do with currently only having a baby.

Even other people have asked you the same question! You’re just being obtuse because you know youre making a martyr of yourself.

Oh do grow up! I am certainly not "making a martyr" out of myself! I will try to explain it just one more time.

It's as simple as this - the more people there are in a household, the busier it is. That's not rocket science is it? The more pressure on the bathroom (fortunately we have three, but everyone wants to use the freestanding shower in the en suite, not the one over the bath). Five people needing access to the kitchen. Five people wanting to use the washing machine and tumble dryer, and inevitably they all want it at the same time. Five people getting ready/out to work/WFH/attend uni every morning. Five people inevitably create more mess than two or three do.

There's one TV in the living room (we no longer have one in each room as we did at one time - and we can use phones/laptops of course) but that's the main place to access all the channels/Netflix etc, and it's at a premium. There's one sofa in the living room, one sofa in the family room. Sometimes I'd just like to lie on the sofa and watch crap - but we don't all want to watch the same crap! I can't abide Love Island, ghost stories or Family Guy. They don't want to watch Location Location Location! With bedding/kitchen utensils/lamps/tables etc etc etc from 2 flats having been brought home, every inch of storage is under pressure, and the house feels just overstuffed and messy. The dishwasher is on all the bloody time it seems (no matter who loads/unloads it).

There's the lift giving, from nights out, trips to/from the airport and work. That does work both ways as two of the three drive (obviously and inevitably we paid for the lessons and for DC3's car insurance; DC1 has their own car), so DH and I do benefit too. I picked DC1 up from a flight late on Sunday night. DC2 off the train from a night out last night. DC1 collects DC2 from work though on their way home. DH drops DC2 off to work every morning. DC3 gives the other two lifts and takes my car to work, leaving me without a car (if I need it though I will tell them they can't use it but I can't decide to do something last minute on a whim). DC1 ferried me to and from concerts recently. DH left the three of us to the airport when I went on holiday for a week with DC1 and DC2.

They are all very good about keeping in touch, but you can never let go of that element of not being able to settle to sleep until they are all in safe no matter what age they are - or I can't anyway (they don't take the piss at all and I'm glad when they do go out after all the privations caused by Covid in their young lives).

The last year has been a bit of an epiphany for me. I've always wanted all my chicks in my nest (obviously they've got on with their lives as they should do and I have encouraged it but I was always happiest when they were at home). I think I've realised that my nest is now a little too full? All three of them want to be out there living independently, and that's what they need to/should be doing. Circumstances just don't allow it and they are welcome here as long as, and whenever, they need to be. When I was DC1's age, I hadn't lived at home other than in uni holidays since I was 18, and DH and I were living and working in London.

They are all very close and have each other's backs but they do bicker too! Sometimes I just want to run away.

Also someone has to be the co-ordinator to ensure there's always bread/milk/toilet roll. That's me. I do my grocery shop online and the kids are happy to nip into Tesco if we run out of something, but ultimately it's down to me to make sure that we have what we need, and cater to everyone's taste.

I guess I just feel that, in some ways, organising life is almost as busy as when they did activities 5 nights a week when they were younger, and I'm older with various health conditions so I don't have the same ability to cope with it.

I don't think I can make it any clearer than that?

Espanaes81 · 21/07/2023 05:36

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Espanaes81 · 21/07/2023 05:38

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Oliotya · 21/07/2023 06:39

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LadyBird1973 · 21/07/2023 07:23

@adriftinadenofvipers I get it. I think some posters lack the imagination to realise that not all people respond to any given situation in exactly the same way.

At one point I had 2 of my 3 adult children home, plus the gf of one moved in (through necessity) and my teenager. It does create stress on space, kitchen and bathroom and the mess associated with having too much stuff in the house (irrespective of the size of the house).
If dh and I went anywhere, I'd always come home to a bomb site in the kitchen (which is make them clear up) and disputes over whose mess it actually was (kids were about 20 at the time and occasionally behaved like they were 5!)
Sometimes their definition of clean and tidy wasn't the same as mine!
There was always laundry being dried somewhere and shopping to be done - plus the uncertainty of how they were going to get their lives sorted. Not sleeping properly til they were in and I knew they hadn't come home tipsy and accidentally let the cat out!
Sure, I could sit on the sofa (if they weren't all in there watching Suits ) but it wasn't mentally restful.
I love them all tons and would always have them home when/if they need to be. But peace and a clean tidy house is much more mentally restful.

Espanaes81 · 21/07/2023 08:34

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grannygailolivia · 21/07/2023 11:39

My son & his family (yes 40 something) have just moved back in with us because they could not afford to buy a house & rentals are rarer than rocking horse droppings where we live. He brought his partner( 2nd one) & 4 children with him, (3 teens & a 5 year old) So yes, rather than see them homeless we offered them a home, I love my grandkids & do not mind looking after them as yes, it allows us to bond. I do follow my daughter in laws rules, they are her kids not mine & I have no intention of usurping her authority. So no, we will not be downsizing. I do not look at it as a chore, in fact I look at it as live in staff, they cook, clean, chauffeur me about & help considerably with the household bills. It is the way of the future because yes, you are a Mum for life & it is fun.

Mojoj · 21/07/2023 13:36

Forestfriendlygarden · 20/07/2023 22:59

Congrats Mojo, you have obviously got it all sorted...

Not sure tho if this is the case what you are doing on this thread?

Although I'm sure everyone here is grateful for the greater wisdom you choose to impart...😉

Don't mention it - you're welcome😀

Stripeymum11 · 21/07/2023 19:27

OP, I think you make good points.
It’s on the basis of women’s unpaid emotional labour that our society stays afloat.

I’m in the teaching DD to be as independent as possible camp so that I can pursue my interests as she gets older.

Saying that, I’d be gutted if she moved abroad and I didn’t get to see her much.

adriftinadenofvipers · 21/07/2023 22:03

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Is that the best the pair of you have got?!! Spectacular miss of the point, but hey ho! Jealousy is never a good look, my dears!

@Espanaes81 I am not sure what you find "interesting" but yes, just the one sofa, a large, leather, brand new, beautiful corner sofa that cost me £6k (it was on sale!) a couple of months ago, and I love it; it's stunning. Happy??? I do have other seating options too. However, thank you for your faux concern.

@Oliotya - do you have a problem with my having a "family room" - or is there another term acceptable to you to describe my second living space? No room for another sofa in there unfortunately - the piano takes up a lot of space...

Maybe both of you should invest in some therapy to help you to control your rudeness, your mean-spiritedness, your blatant envy, and your pathetic, jealous, catty comments?

adriftinadenofvipers · 21/07/2023 22:13

LadyBird1973 · 21/07/2023 07:23

@adriftinadenofvipers I get it. I think some posters lack the imagination to realise that not all people respond to any given situation in exactly the same way.

At one point I had 2 of my 3 adult children home, plus the gf of one moved in (through necessity) and my teenager. It does create stress on space, kitchen and bathroom and the mess associated with having too much stuff in the house (irrespective of the size of the house).
If dh and I went anywhere, I'd always come home to a bomb site in the kitchen (which is make them clear up) and disputes over whose mess it actually was (kids were about 20 at the time and occasionally behaved like they were 5!)
Sometimes their definition of clean and tidy wasn't the same as mine!
There was always laundry being dried somewhere and shopping to be done - plus the uncertainty of how they were going to get their lives sorted. Not sleeping properly til they were in and I knew they hadn't come home tipsy and accidentally let the cat out!
Sure, I could sit on the sofa (if they weren't all in there watching Suits ) but it wasn't mentally restful.
I love them all tons and would always have them home when/if they need to be. But peace and a clean tidy house is much more mentally restful.

Thank god there is someone here with the emotional intelligence and empathy to get it!

It's not that you don't want them there, or that you don't love them enough, or any of the patronising, inaccurate things that posters have come out with. I got bitched at about my house which I only referenced to say that we do have space aplenty for when they were children, that space seems to shrink massively when occupied by five adults!

Thank you for posting. There are some hateful people posting on this site sometimes, trying to make themselves feel better I guess by being nasty about something they simply don't understand!

adriftinadenofvipers · 21/07/2023 22:19

Stripeymum11 · 21/07/2023 19:27

OP, I think you make good points.
It’s on the basis of women’s unpaid emotional labour that our society stays afloat.

I’m in the teaching DD to be as independent as possible camp so that I can pursue my interests as she gets older.

Saying that, I’d be gutted if she moved abroad and I didn’t get to see her much.

You see, I did that too, and it's now biting me on the bum rather... 🤔- five independent, strong-willed and confident adults co-existing in the same space...

It won't be forever. DC2 is never going to settle for life where we are, and I've a feeling that DC3 won't either. So I guess it will be DC1 who's left to wipe our bums and visit us in the old peoples' home... (that's light-hearted, for those with a sense of humour failure btw).

Espanaes81 · 22/07/2023 05:57

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Billyhero · 22/07/2023 06:26

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Oliotya · 22/07/2023 06:51

adriftinadenofvipers · 21/07/2023 22:03

Is that the best the pair of you have got?!! Spectacular miss of the point, but hey ho! Jealousy is never a good look, my dears!

@Espanaes81 I am not sure what you find "interesting" but yes, just the one sofa, a large, leather, brand new, beautiful corner sofa that cost me £6k (it was on sale!) a couple of months ago, and I love it; it's stunning. Happy??? I do have other seating options too. However, thank you for your faux concern.

@Oliotya - do you have a problem with my having a "family room" - or is there another term acceptable to you to describe my second living space? No room for another sofa in there unfortunately - the piano takes up a lot of space...

Maybe both of you should invest in some therapy to help you to control your rudeness, your mean-spiritedness, your blatant envy, and your pathetic, jealous, catty comments?

No, but you're clearly better off than many. With that much space there's no reason to be under each other's feet all the time. Get a second TV, tell them to stop using your ensuite. You're making things harder than they need to be.

goodkidsmaadhouse · 22/07/2023 07:19

I was about to say ‘I’m resting right now!’ but then I read your thread and that would be a bit facetious as you’re not talking about mothers of young DC (which mine are).

My MIL definitely gets to rest. She has 3 adult DC, none of whom live near her or require regular childcare from her. She has hobbies, she goes on holiday regularly. She lives in a home she loves and certainly hasn’t downsized to give her kids money.

When she and my FIL come to stay they look after our kids together and equally so DH and I can get some time together.

I’ve given my MIL as an example because I know her well but her lifestyle is very very similar to a) her friends and b) quite a lot of my friends’ parents. I only really recognise the dynamics in your OP from this site and a lot on this site doesn’t match my reality!

Espanaes81 · 22/07/2023 08:29

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Tumbleweed101 · 22/07/2023 09:03

I have my 23yo daughter at home still due to how expensive housing is but she pays her way in the house and helps out with younger siblings such as getting her sister to work until she can drive.

I'm a single parent so the children have learned they need to help and I can't do everything all the time.

I will help with grandchildren when they come along but I'm unlikely to be able to provide childcare as I'll be working myself.

I think adult children know what their parents will be able help with.

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