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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Mums wedding - feeling it will eventually end in tears - AIBU?

18 replies

Spice17 · 01/08/2012 11:19

Have posted about my mums wedding/realationship before, and now the big day is nearly here, I'm feeling a sense of impending doom, sadness and worry that it will all end in divorce not too far down the line (I feel absolutely terrible even saying that) A few facts:

  1. Mum seems happy, most of the time, and loves DP. This will be her 3rd wedding. Both previous marriages ended because of the men, my Dad DV, my step dad, affair.
  1. Her DP isn't abusive, violent or anything, just does not help out in any way, and contributes little financially. She does everything for him, he is lazy and (from what I can gather) she pays majority of bills etc even though she isn't a big earner at all.
  1. She has used her small inhertitance to pay for wedding (chuch one, which partner wanted - she would have been happy with small one) When she got it, I advised her not to spend it all on wedding, she said she wouldn't but it's all gone :( I wanted her to have a bit of spare cash for a change, to spend on things she wanted to, and stuff she's needed for over 20 years, like new carpet etc
  1. Her partner has moved his 24 year old unemployed son in a week before wedding, he was essentially kicked out of his nans (but he has a mum/other relations nearby) Son had a job for one day and walked out, mum seems to be footing the extra expense of it all. I tried to stay calm when she told me but did lose it a bit, asking who was going to pay, how was partner contributing etc? Didn't really get a proper answer. She will now be doing housework, cooking etc for 3 lazy men, DP, son and my brother who still lives at home.

5.DPs daughter is a nightmare too, very childish and always asking to borrow mney etc from my mum, MY MUM, not her dad or her own mother. Plus she is a compulsive liar about anything, trivial or otherwise e.g said she was working the Sun am after mums hen so (so had to leave early) but was totally caught out when still in bed at 1pm next day, not great example but one of many.

I have been very upset about this, am bridesmaid at the wedding but feel sad that she doesn't have the man I wanted her to, who will look after her, take care of her, spoil her. When she told me DPs son was moving in, I got off the phone and cried with sheer frustration and sadness for her.

She tells me stuff in dribs and drabs and I would never say anything about their relationship unless she brings it up first, don't feel it's my place and have satyed out of it as much as I can.

AIBU for not feeling as happy and excited for my mum as I should be, I want to, I really do but just can't. This sounds really dramatic but my heart aches with sadness about the whole thing :( I am pregnant though, so in hormonal overdrive!

OP posts:
Paiviaso · 01/08/2012 11:27

YANBU to be sad about the coming wedding.

But your mother is an adult, and will make her own choices, however poor.

Shutupanddrive · 01/08/2012 11:36

Oh god that sounds awful Sad
No advice really though, didn't want to read and not post reply

shinyrobot · 01/08/2012 11:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Spice17 · 01/08/2012 11:54

Thanks all.

Shiny - should I be honest though? that's what I've been doing so far (so I agree with you) but feel like that will make her more stressed and us become distanced in that she may not want to tell me stuff anymore.

I'm also a little disappointed in my aunties/her sisters for not seeing/saying anything. Maybe they think it's all fine........

Also, pregnancy paranoia now but worrying my terrible feelings of sadness impact on baby :(

Am off sick all this week too, so obviously feeling a bit sorry for myself!

OP posts:
KellyElly · 01/08/2012 11:55

Poor you. Sounds like an awful thing to have to watch your mum go through. She sounds like she must have some self esteem issues to put up with all that. All you can do is be there for her really but it may become a bit draining for you after a while. She is the only one that can put her foot down and change the circumstances of her life.

PomBearWithAnOFRS · 01/08/2012 11:59

"feel sad that she doesn't have the man I wanted her to"
And there's the truth of the matter, except your mother is a grown up and can decide for herself who she wants to marry and what she's prepared to put up with from/do for him and his children who will be her step children. Are you perhaps a bit pissed off that the inheritance is gone and there's nothing left or you? and what is left may well end up shared with your step siblings as well as your brother? It's your mum's money, it's her house, it's her life. By all means "be there when it all goes wrong" but be prepared to eat humble pie if they live happily ever after.

MirandaGoshawk · 01/08/2012 12:08

Pin on big smile Grin and make absolutely sure that you learn from her mistakes! You sound very sensiible though. But you've said your piece, she knows how you feel.

Just wondering - does she, in some way, feel that she has to go through with the wedding? That's how I felt, with DH1, and could have done with someone giving me a good shake, followed by a 'therapy' session with someone who would talk through the alternatives. (Low self-esteem issues that I didn't even realise I had.) She may possibly feel that this is her life now & she has no alternative but to go with the flow.

Maybe you could find a quiet time with her and just let her talk?

flyoverthehill · 01/08/2012 12:10

why not just ask her, why is she getting married ? how long is layabout yob hanging around for? and when DP's dd asks for money say ask your dad. I wish someone had asked me before I got married. And tell her of some of your problems and ask her for help so she wont think your being all preachy. (Shit maybe that was too preachy) Good luck

Spice17 · 01/08/2012 12:10

Pom bear, no not at all pissed off about inheritence, I wouldn't have wanted any of it from her, wanted her to enjoy it. The only thing I have from my GPs inhertence is a 1950's ice bucket and I'm totally happy with that - I love it!

I earn my own money and wouldn't ever take from someone who I love who earns less than me. She deserved it, I don't. Just sad that she seems to be taken advantage of, intentional or not. And there's nothing left for step siblings anyway, she told me about 3 weeks ago she had £150 remaining.

OP posts:
Spice17 · 01/08/2012 12:14

That's just it Miranda, I feel like I am more sensible than her, I think as people get older, they can get a bit more impulsive and foolish maybe?

Sorry, not trying to cause ofence to anyone but I'm happliy married, own house, baby on the way, we've saved up for all of this ourselves, as it should be. Maybe I've learned from parents past mistakes, DH certainly feels he has - maybe we're both too sensible! :)

OP posts:
Spice17 · 01/08/2012 12:19

Fly, how long's a piece of string? He' supposedly looking for a job but was on facebook the other day talking about playing on PS3, in my mums house, using her electric, eating her food etc.

Had to fight temptation to say I was glad the job hunting was going so well :)

As for other posts, (thanks) I agree I probably should find out if she wants to go ahead (I imagine she would even if she had doubts - too proud) but only seeing the day before and she may wonder what on earth I'm bringing it up now for and be angry.......

Sorry for lots of little posts :)

OP posts:
shinyrobot · 01/08/2012 13:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

flyoverthehill · 01/08/2012 13:42

sorry spice I meant you should ask her how long lazyboy is there for. I can't imagine she'd be happy having him there. At 24 he has no right to live in her house. She can set down rules for him, she shouldn't cook or clean for him. He should also cough up half his jobseekers, tell her to get a grip,. but in a sweet way. And I would ask, after 2 failed marriages why on earth does she want to do it again. This is to make her actually think about why she is doing it. She might actually be really happy, but if soon to be H3 loves her why does he do nothing ?

ViviPru · 01/08/2012 13:58

YANBU. OP I didn't get the impression from your op that you had any self-interest regarding an inheritance whatsoever. You sound like a sensible, caring person and it must be taking all of your willpower not to just storm round there and just scream and scream at them out of the frustration of it all.

I agree with those who say you ought to gave a gentle chat with her to gauge her true feelings. Can you arrange to see her sooner? Suggest a pre-wedding afternoon tea or something? You never know it could just open the floodgates. Can you speak to your aunts without making waves?

Spice17 · 01/08/2012 14:15

Fly 'after 2 failed marriages why on earth does she want to do it again' my thoughts exactly, especially as it's not like he's a knight in shining armour who's any different to the other 'D'H's.

Also step son isn't even on JSA, he can't claim because he quit his job, oh I despair. To be honest, he's actually OK and a nice bloke who I feel I can get on with but future 'D'SS is a totally annoying person of the kind I've never met before, so, so immature for her age, child like and takes no responsibilty for her own life.

She's the other bridesmaid and I may just have to stuff cotton wool in my mouth to avoid getting cross with her. Her bloke isn't even coming to the wedding - and they live together!

Vivi thanks for your lovely post, I do massively want to yell and shout but know it will only makes things worse. Have decided if she asks my opinion, I will give it but I would not want to make her feel upset/distressed only 3 days before wedding, so I have to grin and bear it.

I have also thought about speaking to Auntie's but concerned it would all come out and turn into a family argument at wedding if anyone drinks too much (we're not the Jeremy Kyle sort though I promise!)

On top of all this, me (the maid of honour) has developed 2 massive cold sores on my nose of all places, ahhhhhhh! Angry

OP posts:
ViviPru · 01/08/2012 14:28

Ah sorry, OP, didn't realise it was so very imminent.

Probably not what you want to hear, but it sounds like there may not be any longevity in this marriage. Perhaps the best course of action is to just maintain a good relationship with your Mum (rocking the boat now may damage that), focus on your pregnancy and your own wellbeing, and make sure that you're strong and together in case things do go pear for her and she needs you.

KellyElly · 01/08/2012 14:34

PomBearWithAnOFRS that comment about the inheritance pretty nasty! It's her mum, she is allowed to be concerned about her without a financial agenda.

Spice17 · 01/08/2012 15:23

Thanks Kelly. I thought it was pretty uncalled for too x

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