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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Family problems

18 replies

NewMummyCath · 12/09/2010 18:18

I've a planned c section (due to tocophobia) for the end of September and currently suffering from anxiety and depression. I should mention that I am utterly thrilled however to be pregnant, this means everything to me.

My mother who lives a considerable distance away is sulking because she wanted to be involved at time of birth. As she has no money other than her pension, this means me organising and paying for her flight, my husband picking her up from the airport which is at least an hour from our house and her staying in our house when we no longer have a spare bedroom. I said I'd prefer to arrange visits once the baby arrived and that I'd be bringing the baby to visit her so that all the family could meet ASAP. Nonetheless, this isn't good enough for her - the woman who preferred to buy cigarettes and alcohol than basic essentials such as tampons for her teenage daughters now feels entitled to be a core part of the birth of my first child.

My youngest sister fell out with me last year as I wouldn't lend her a large sum of money for something she really didn't need "graciously" got back in touch a few months ago). She also wanted to visit the hospital and with her drug-dealing boyfriend, who is 25 years older than her, dad to five children already and whom I've never met, en route from their holiday somewhere in the UK. She wanted to arrange it now so as to not interrupt their holiday plans. I explained that as I don't know how I'll be feeling after the op, I'd rather arrange for visitors to the hospital after the birth rather than right now. She went mad and sent a barrage of abusive texts claiming that we aren't a family because of me (somehow forgetting that she hasn't spoken to either of the parents for over ten years and repeatedly falls out with everyone until she needs money which she never pays back), that she is a much better person and so much happier than me because she earns more, has friends who actually like her and is in a genuine relationship whereas I only married because "no-one else would want me". There was more but I've mentally blocked it out and I was trying to delete the texts rather than read them. The truth is that she has generally messed up her life and expects everyone else to make it up to her. I have spent so much time and effort on her over the past twenty years and can hardly believe this. I had no idea she hated me so much.

I'm really not sure what to do. I think with my sister then ignoring her and hoping she doesn't get back in contact is the best option. With my mother, it's harder because she's passive aggressive and won't talk about it outright but opts to sulk. I know my family think I'm being unreasonable but all I wanted was a few days to recover without having to deal with them. I have previously always sought to put them first but given the importance of the birth to me and the arrival of my new baby I thought that I was justified in my decisions. Now I just feel destroyed.

Any advice or suggestions on managing all this would be much appreciated.

OP posts:
JaneS · 12/09/2010 18:22

To be honest, I think they are bullying you and you should stick to your guns.

Your sister is being daft. You have a family already, and right now your priority is your child's birth. If she and your mum really want to see you, I'm sure waiting until it's convenient for you won't kill them.

hackingandhewing · 12/09/2010 18:28

Not sure I have any really useful advice but didn't want you to go unanswered.

It sounds like you are the one trying to keep the peace while they all remain utterly selfish. Do they know about your depression and anxiety?

I know it is easy to say but it seems to me like you need to focus on yourself right now. You are having a baby under difficult circumstances and that must be your priority.

I have so much admiration for you. You sound strong and determined. Look forward to enjoying time with your new born and sod them.

If they can't understand your reasons for not wanting to make firm plans now, then they probably won't be satisfied unless you give them exactly what they want.

I'm sorry you're having to deal with them on top of everything else. Good luck for the c section, enjoy your baby and don't let them spoil it for you.

ssd · 12/09/2010 18:38

you poor soul

sorry, but they sound like a pair of bitches

its time to put yourself first, do what suits you and your own family and lave them to it. the last thing you need after an op is fighting, so stick to ur guns

sallyseton · 12/09/2010 18:43

Oh dear. Stay strong, stick to your guns and focus on the beautiful baby you'll be having soon.

As you're in such a vulnerable position at the moment- could your dh get in touch with your family members and explain very clearly and firmly what's going on and how you're feeling?

clam · 12/09/2010 18:44

Do you have a partner on the scene who could step in and help with fending off unwelcome visitors?

ChaoticAngel · 12/09/2010 18:44

Ignore them. You owe neither your mother or your sister nothing. They need to grow up. Let your mother sulk and just keep deleting any texts your sister sends. Concentrate on yourself and your baby and take some time with your dh to bond with the baby when s/he arrives.

RunawayWife · 12/09/2010 18:46

Your husband and your child are your family now, cut all ties with these vile people and get on with your life without them in it.

Do not let them in to your child's life to mess him/her up with their disgusting ways

asdx2 · 12/09/2010 19:02

As you are having a CS give them a planned date a week or so after the actual one. Then after the birth get dh to phone the day following to tell everyone it had to be done as an emergency and Drs have advised no visitors as you are pretty unwell.
It sounds to me as though you owe either of them nothing so don't let them spoil this special time for you and dh

hugglymugly · 12/09/2010 19:25

Your mother and sister sound like very self-absorbed, controlling and demanding individuals. The word for such people is "toxic", and there are plenty of people here on MN who know from personal experience what that actually means in real life.

People like that are definitely not what you need in your life right now. Neither of them has any rights at all in your life or what decisions you and your DH make about the birth or the baby.

It is permissible to ignore people like that or even cut them out of your life entirely - plenty of us here have done that for much the same reasons.

It can be difficult for partners who don't have families like that to know what's best to do, so how does your DH feel about the situation? Could he be willing to step in between you and your mother&sister and tell them to keep their distance?

Panzee · 12/09/2010 19:26

How do you feel about changing your number? They sound horrendous.

WhereYouLeftIt · 12/09/2010 20:08

Excellent suggestion Panzee.

lucy101 · 12/09/2010 22:17

I have been in a not-dissimilar situation with both my mother and sister... and I think it is no coincidence that I suffer from anxiety and depression too.

Your family are manipulating and bullying you and I expect this has been the dynamic forever... and the constant putting their needs before your own (to try and keep the peace) will only make you more stressed at a time when you should be recovering.

I told my mother very firmly recently that my priorities were my health, my husband and my family in that order. It didn't go down well and I am not expecting anything to change in terms of the way their behave towards me... but saying it out loud really helped.

I have had lots of therapy and that has made a difference to me... but there is also a great book called Toxic Parents that I read about on MN which you might find interesting.

Please take care of yourself and your baby and try to construct some boundaries with your family that allow you to do that.

LionsAreScary · 12/09/2010 22:49

YANBU. Your mother and sister sound horrible.

I have recently been reading 'when you and your mother can't be friends' by Victoria Secunda and it has been very helpful in understanding what is wrong between my mum and me. I'd recommend.

Congratulations on your pregnancy and hope you have a good birth experience.

Pixieonthemoor · 13/09/2010 14:40

Oh you poor poor thing - they sound absolutely hideous. As others have suggested, your sister (sorry to be harsh) sounds like an utter waste of space so I would just totally forget about her. As regards your mother, I am guessing you probably want to have a bit of a relationship with her but the dynamic really needs to change. This time must and has to be all about you - you are about to give birth and all this anxiety is doing you no favours. Just release it all and I hope you have a supportive partner who you can offload on/hide behind/stand firm with. Failing that, a best friend or another, more distant relation like an uncle or cousin?? You need a bit of a barricade against these toxic people until you feel a bit stronger. I am sure it will all go beautifully and you will have a wonderful baby - all this will seem v distant then. Good luck.

diddl · 13/09/2010 14:50

Well, easier said then done, perhaps, but would say ignore sister & your mum visits when it´s convenient for you-especially as you are paying.

If not, she can wait for you to visit her.

MrsTittleMouse · 13/09/2010 14:59

I completely agree with asdx - lie through your teeth. These people don't deserve the truth. Tell them a date for your CS and then "whoops, my waters broke a little so I had to have it brought forward". You will likely feel very vunerable now you are very pregnant, and you probably will again when you have a tiny baby. I think that you are perfectly justified in putting yourself and your new baby first.

PosieParker · 13/09/2010 15:07

You don't know with a planned section what time you will have the baby, emergencies could all kick off and you won't get to theatre until 7pm!

In addition you could say that because of this the hospital advises no visits until out of hospital.

Odysseus · 13/09/2010 15:10

How horrible for you Sad

From a similar experience with my Dad's side of the family (grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousins) where we were subjected to years of malicious abuse, I would advise cutting your ties and starting afresh with your lovely little baby. Don't let them spoil this most precious time. You've got your own nuclear family to consider and put as priority.

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