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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

My mother is doing my head in. narcissist??

5 replies

NikitasSidekick · 10/08/2012 09:20

My mother has always been a bit of a narcissist - if ever I was to get injured as a child, she'd worry about how it effected her - when I got hit in the face with a ball and had a huge black eye, she worried about her holiday photos. When I fell - she'd worry about having to replace the clothing I was wearing. When I told her I was sexually abused by a family member, she worried about how that would effect HER relationship with the rest of the family if it came out. When my son got badly hurt and needed to go to A&E her first concern was how she was going to get her shopping if I wasn't available. You get the picture!

It's been a constantly rollercoaster of guilt and frustration and I'm sick of it.

She has a habit of calling up elderly family members, telling them I'll take her down and then when I say I'm busy (like, I have an exam that day type busy!!) she'll say "oh, I'll tell your old, ill grandfather that you don't want to see him today then" Hmm

Anyway, I started university last september doing a degree. My mum has never been that supportive as - she worries about how it will effect her if I'm needing more childcare. So, since uni started she's been in a mood about me "never going to see her" and apparantly not bothering with her anymore. Last semester I was revising for 3 exams whilst writing an assignment AND working 37 hours a week and she said "but you have a two days off a week, why can't you come then?" because I'm fooking busy!!!

To the point - these past few weeks she's been in a major mood with me. Everytime I ring up she puts on her "oh I can't be arsed with you today" voice and makes me feel like shit. I suspect it's because she knows I've very recently started seeing someone and she thinks I make more time for him than I do for her. Anyway, last week I called her and asked if she wanted to come to York with us for the day. She agreed and then called me up on the day before to say actually, she works at the charity shop that day so can't make it. She then asked why I couldn't choose another day so that she could come Hmm so i said "because Tuesday is the only day I can do. I'm at uni Monday and thursday, cinema with the kids wednesday and have appointments on Friday." she snapped "oh well I just won't bother then". Que - me feeling shit again.

Yesterday I called and asked if she fancied doing something today - she replied "oh, didn't really fancy going out tomorrow" - I then hear from a family member that she's complaining about me never taking her anywhere now that I'm at uni and have friends."

So this morning I ring and say "Leeds Armouries - next week, you fancy it?" and she says "what day?" - I say Tuesday and she snaps "I'M AT THE VOLUNTARY WORK TUESDAY ARNT I!" so taking a deep breath I say "wednesday?" and she signs and says "I work there wednesday too, you know that". I then say "oh well those are the only days I can do". She then huffs "well I can't go then can I".

AIBU to be utterly fed up of being spoken to like a piece of shit constantly because I can't organise my life around her???

OP posts:
quoteunquote · 10/08/2012 09:38

Well done you for not burying her in a woodland,

Stop trying to please her, you can't, so pointless trying,

from now on, when you have an activity you could include her in, try to just let her know, don't ask or bend, just, "oh, mother we are going to the zoo on Saturday, can you make it?"

If it's a no, just a breeze, "Oh well, never mind", If she starts the poor me routine, laugh and say, "oh it's these busy lives we lead, sooo hard to coordinate",

when a third party comments on something she had fed in there, laugh and say,"oh it's these busy lives we lead, sooo hard to coordinate, I'm sure it will calm down when I've finished my PHD",

Focus on what works for you, invite her when you feel like it, and you are available, it's not your responsibility to make her happy, it's your responsibility to make yourself happy.

PomBearWithAnOFRS · 10/08/2012 11:25

So stop calling her. When other family members pass on her sarky comments just laugh and say "she said what?" roll your eyes and say "I'm sure she's going senile you know"

TheNorthWitch · 10/08/2012 12:25

You sound lovely and are really making an effort for her despite having a lot on your plate. I think she is being a selfish old woman - stop pandering to her. Children need to grow up and have their own lives - now that she is childcare free she can follow her own interests (or just have a long lie if she wants!) I haven't read the book yet but Toxic Parents has been recommended many times.

HappyAsChips · 10/08/2012 14:32

I wouldn't bother asking her to join you for days out etc. She sounds very selfish. Lead your own life and if she has a strop because you're not revolving everything around her, too bad for her. My mother royally pissed me off AGAIN last year and I decided it would be the last time ( after years of emotional blackmail, interfering etc etc). I've hardly seen her since and life has never been more relaxing and peaceful! I'm not suggesting you cut ties with her, but live your life by your rules and if she upsets you when you talk to her, don't talk to her so often. Don't let her make you unhappy.

NikitasSidekick · 10/08/2012 15:35

See this is another thing she does!!

Last week I asked her if she could babysit the kids for me next friday as I'm hoping to go camping. She said "yes that's fine, no problem". She waited until she knew we'd booked it and then today says "actually - I don't think I can do it anymore". wtf???

She's done this SO many times - agrees to something, waits until arrangements are made and then pulls out. I'm sure she does it on purpose.

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