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To be hurt by lack of support from my mother? long post

82 replies

Bluebell66 · 05/08/2015 10:10

I lost my DH to lung cancer two years ago. Since then I have had absolutely no support from my mother and she has shown virtually no interest in my two DC who needless to say, have struggled enormously. She was twittering on about her neighbour a couple of days after my DH died, and because I wasn't engaging in the conversation, she said "you don't sound very interested". I had just lost my precious DH, my DC has lost their Dad, I could barely even breathe. How could she expect me to be interested in her neighbour? She told me because I have a house and a car, I should "count my blessings". I said I would rather live in a tent and still have my DH with us. She remains totally obsessed with my sister, who never made any attempt to come and see me, or even pick up the phone and ring me when my DH died. She sent a condolence card in the post. My mother then went on and on for weeks at me asking me if I was going to thank my sister for the card. I said no, I have far more important things to cope with, like just managing to get through the day and feed my DC. I felt I coped really well on the day of the funeral, even though I felt like I was looking down on myself and on another planet, I needed to stay strong for my DC. She told me afterwards I "was funny with them on the day of the funeral". Everyone else told me how proud they were of me, and how strong I was being for my DC. She is utterly self centred and totally obsessed with my sister, who is a complete waste of space. She wrecked her marriage and walked out on her two DSs. Because she now lives in a rented flat, and I "have a house", I am so much better off than her and have so much more. She CHOSE to wreck her marriage and walk out. I would give anything in the world to have my DH back and for my DC to have their Daddy back. But I didn't have a choice. She just doesn't get it, she's so shallow. I have told her how much she's hurt me, but nothing changes. I have pretty much stopped talking to her on the phone as whenever I do, she upsets me. She shows no interest in how I'm doing or in my DC. She just remains obsessed with trivia and my sister. I don't know how to cope with the situation. It's no good talking to my Dad. He has no idea of half the things she's said to me. She's very devious and always does it on the phone or via text, so he doesn't know. He knows what she's like, but he will always back her and defend her. He says she's "the most maternal woman he knows". I'm afraid I beg to differ. I want to detach myself from her completely, but I know that's not possible. Thank you to anybody that manages to get to the end of this rambly post.

OP posts:
IamtheDevilsAvocado · 07/08/2015 04:10

So sorry youve had such a horrid, horrid, time! The loss of your OH must have brought your family's total calousness to the forefront.

You are definitely not BU.

Concentrate on your pals, people who respect and love you--they will become your chosen family!

Please concentrate on yourself, and your lovely kids. You all need time to grieve, away from this toxicity.

Bluebell66 · 07/08/2015 07:02

Thank you so much everybody for taking the time to reply. With your help, I am actually starting to believe that I do deserve better, and I do deserve to be happy, even though I've forgotten what that feels like. I need to be free of their control and they way they bring me down and heap guilt onto me. Not just for me, but for my DC. I want them to see me happy and strong again. They both said last weekend that the thing they want most in the world is for me to get better and be happy again. They are amazing and I'm so proud of them. They didn't deserve any of this at such young ages. Nothing can bring my DH back, but I don't need added stress and pressure from people around me, making me feel worse. If they happen to be my family, that's just too bad. I feel I now have to come to terms with the fact that it really is just me and my DC, which frightens me and makes me feel very alone. I miss my DH so, so much. Thank you everyone, your advice, understanding and support means the world to me, and is so helpful xx

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moochy1 · 07/08/2015 09:28

So sorry about your dh, your mother def sounds like a narc like mine and as others have suggested the stately homes thread is really helpful. Your mum and dad sound just like mine, and your sister like my brother, he's the golden child and I've never lived up to expectations. She has been so cruel, I could write a book if I was any good at that kind of thing, so was my brother but I have distanced myself from him because he lives further away and it's been easier to do. Like you my parents live close by so it's really hard to do. I've found it a total head especially since becoming a mother myself, it feels like the ultimate rejection when it's your own mother. I had counselling and was taught a way of detaching myself from my mum and realising there's nothing wrong with me it is her failings as a parent and she will never change, so all I can do is change how I react to her behaviour, I can't go no contact for various reasons, I'm still working on detaching myself emotionally it's really hard. There's no point trying to talk sensibly or openly with a narc it's like banging your head against a brick wall. Def take a look at the stately homes thread xx

Bluebell66 · 07/08/2015 11:29

So sorry you're in the same boat Moochy. It's a horrible situation and is very difficult to come to terms with. I agree with you though, she will never change. It's me that's got to change and try and stop letting her hurt me over and over again xx

OP posts:
AcrossthePond55 · 07/08/2015 15:03

Remember that you've already been through worse, the loss of your DH, and you've come though it a strong woman. Backing away from your family? You can do this. You've already proven how strong you are.

Bluebell66 · 07/08/2015 15:49

Thank you so much Across. You're right, I have come through far, far worse. I think I am stronger than I think I am, and everyone on here has really helped me to start believing that. I want to just be free to focus on myself and my DC. I have given my mother more than enough "second chances". xx

OP posts:
TheRealAmyLee · 07/08/2015 16:02

My condolences bluebell. You sound like a strong woman who just needs a little confidence boost and a push to do what she knows is best. There is some excellent advice here I won't repeat I will just say. You can do this. We are all behind you. This is the first step to a less stressful future for you and your dc.Flowers

Bluebell66 · 07/08/2015 16:25

Thank you TheReal, that means so much to me, and I really hope you're right.

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Myname15 · 07/08/2015 18:42

I feel such pain reading this. I'm so, so sorry for your terrible loss and heartbreak.
My mother is certainly emotionally incapable and only seems to make me feel worse, but what you are going through with yours really is far beyond the pale. It's abject fucking cruelty.
I also wonder about the role your father plays, and if he's not intervened in her behaviour (I realise she saves the worst for poor you) then that's really shite.
I'm so sorry. How excruciatingly painful for you.
If he is not there make sure your needs are being met, at this, such an extreme time, I would maybe wonder how much you should consider his.
As for entertaining them at Xmas, Jesus Christ, you owe them nothing at all. Nothing.
Do whatever you want to do, for yourself and your children. It's a private, family time, and these people maybe really do not deserve to be included.
Have you thought about counselling? It can be so much more healing than you may realise. Firstly, bereavement counselling, but also to deal with all this family horror. Even if your beloved Dh were here now, I think it would be helpful as this alone is a big deal and must have caused you so much pain.
As for going NC, that's something only you can decide, but definitely step back for a while at least. You must, MUST look after yourself and DC as the precious, fragile wee flowers you are.
At the moment, the world does revolve around you.
Two years is no time at all after such an enormous loss. It's just around the time the initial shock wears off. It's a very vulnerable time, and your frankly pathetic relatives will not understand this. I really would recommend that you look into some professional support. This is far too big to cope with alone. You need to do whatever is best for you. That is truly vital. You're clearly doing this for your lovely DC. Make yourself the priority. You sound like such an amazing mother, one I could only hope to be. You've surely been an amazing daughter too. But you deserve so, so much better. You really do.
The darkest hour is before the dawn.
Good luck xxx

Myname15 · 07/08/2015 18:51

Just to clarify, op, when I say abject cruelty, I don't think for a moment it's meant. I am almost certain its not. It's just emotional deficiency, narcissism, whatever, I don't know. It just really gets to me. Pity them being so shallow. Thank god you are you xx

amarmai · 07/08/2015 19:09

Send the following to your family 'Dear family, i know you will understand why i am not going to be inviting any of you this Xmas. I know you will be thinking of us , as we will of you, but we need to be alone . Have a great Xmas. Love, Bluebell.

Bluebell66 · 07/08/2015 19:10

Myname - there are no words to describe how thankful I am to you for your post. You so clearly understand everything, not just about my parents, but also about grieving. Yes, they do expect me to have "got over it and moved on" by now. But you're so right, it's only the last few months that the mind numbing shock has started to wear off, and reality is starting to set in, that I'll never see my DH again, be close to him, talk to him, laugh with him. I have just started having CBT, which does seem to be helping a little and I have spoken about my parents. Christmas will be different this year, I've made my mind up about that. I just can't keep this up anymore. As for being an amazing mother, I'm not sure, but I do know I try my absolute hardest. My DC are my world. You sound like an amazing person, so strong and so wise. I wish I was more like you. I let people dictate to me too easily, but I want that to change, and I think it has to start with my parents. The only people who matter now are my DC and myself, they need me so much, and I have to be strong for them. I can't let my parents keep bringing me down and upsetting me as it impacts so much on the DC. Sending hugs xx

OP posts:
Myname15 · 07/08/2015 19:38

Ah, sweetheart.
It's so hard to truly stand up for yourself sometimes, esp with those who we have pre existing toxic relationships with. I'm certainly not that good at it, I retreat. But it's always easier to say to others, isn't it?! It really sounds like you're doing everything right. You could have descended into drink or something, but you didn't. I hope you congratulate yourself on that?
So pleased you're doing the cbt. It's so practical, helping you to deal with things without diving into the pain too much. Keep it going. You will feel stronger and happier one day. Just keep the negative stuff at bay as much as you can. By that, I mean your family. And don't ever feel you're imposing on your mates. As someone said before, people just don't know how to deal with bereavement. It scares them. Specific things, definitely. You're doing so well. When you do have a good day, please remember that's a great thing, what your Dh would have wanted. I hope you had time to talk about those things. I hope you know he still loves you and with you're DC, you're never alone. Their gonna be so proud of you, if their not already. Xxx

GuyMartinsSideburns · 08/08/2015 06:44

Hello my lovely Flowers

Have just seen this thread as I have been avoiding the rest of mumsnet since my news, which you are aware of.

I'm sorry you can't rely on your mum for support, mine is the same and it hurts. It's not a nice thing to have to learn and get used to but the way I dealt with the same emotions was to stop going to her for support. I went to her so many times because I needed her - concerns about unborn babies etc, big stuff and she was never there for me. I could go into it but I won't for now. I told her my recent news on Tuesday, obviously I was in a mess and she said sorry etc but then ended the call, it was surreal like "oh no that's terrible I'm so sorry, we'll take care won't you, bye" I was left sat on my bed holding my phone thinking 'what the fucking hell just happened then?' How bad to things have to get before she says "my darling, please don't worry I will come and stay/help/arrange this". The fact is she is never going to say that to me and I need to stop hoping that she will because it just causes me further pain. I've been thinking about funeral arranging etc during the dark times, and it pains me to know that I would be managing things like that alone, I'm so scared but she can't/wont help me. She wouldn't even give me 10 mins on the phone to cry my heart out. Sorry I've hijacked your thread a bit there. I just wanted you to know that unfortunately you're not alone with feeling unsupported by someone who should always be there for you.

Please don't put so much strain on yourself. You sound like you are doing wonderfully and your children are so lucky to have you to help them through this. Your messages to me have been amazing and I like you already Smile you are obviously very kind and compassionate and that is a beautiful way to be. Just concentrate on your dc and yourself because that's all that matters. We've had to realise early just how short life can be and how precious it is haven't we, so let's leave all the negative influences and concentrate on the important things. I'll try if you will xx Lets just do each day. If it's a tough one do whatever helps you to get through it.

You are allowed to grieve for as long as you like, as often as you like. There will always be people willing to give you love and support, please ask for it. You've got me now too Flowers

Sorry if I've rambled on, I do that Blush x

Bluebell66 · 09/08/2015 08:30

Amarmai - thank you, that's a very good idea, polite, but to the point.

Myname - thank you for another lovely message, the things you've said have really helped me. I am proud of the way I've coped, God knows I've wanted to drink myself into oblivion every night, but I haven't, not once, my DC need me too much. I am going to keep my family at arms length from now on, and I'm not going to give my mother any personal information anymore. If she does ask if we're ok, I'm just going to say yes, even though we're not. I'm not going to keep giving her the chance to hurt me and let me down with her lack of concern/interest. She doesn't deserve to play a part in our lives, not that she wants to. When you say about "having a good day", I find this really hard. If I do have a better day all I feel is guilty and sad that my DH isn't here to share it. I don't know how to get over this.

Guy - I'm so sorry you're in the same boat with your mother, especially at a time like this. It's so, so hurtful isn't it. Like I said above, the conclusion I've come to is to just not tell her anything anymore, then she can't hurt me. My DS and DD have been telling me to do this for a long time now. They're very wise. Try not to run too far ahead in your mind with arrangements etc. Hopefully, and more than likely things won't come to that, and if it does, you will cope. I did everything on my own, God knows how, but I did, although my DH had helped with some of the planning of his funeral before he passed away.

I would love nothing more than to have a loving, supportive family around me and my DC, but sadly that's not the case, and never will be. We're a little unit of 3 against the world now.

Hugs to you all and thank you so much for all your support xx

OP posts:
Hellionandfriends · 09/08/2015 08:43

Can you do something special with the kids at Xmas. Book a few days away together by the sea

TheCraicDealer · 09/08/2015 09:31

When I read this the first thing i thought was "you need to go somewhere for Xmas". Go somewhere hot, feel the sand underneath your feet on Christmas Day, watch the kids dive in and out of the water after opening presents and most of all break this cycle where you're responsible for catering for this woman at this time of year. Leave it until as late as possible before you tell them so there's no opportunity for them to tag along, and if they start giving off say, "This is about me and the children, we need to have a break". Brook no arguments woman!

I'm sorry about your mum; the hardest thing about these situations always seems to be the lack of people having your back and supporting you. You feel like, "are they right? Am I actually being unreasonable?", even though the possibility defies all logic. The tragic death of your DH, the removal of that support, must make this so difficult to deal with. But one day your kids will be old enough to see Granny for the old crone she is, and they will share everyone here's respect for you in standing up to her and your dad.

Bluebell66 · 09/08/2015 10:03

Thank you Hellion. I'm definitely going to look into it, but as ever, funds dictate.

TheCraic - that sounds absolutely wonderful, I would love to do that, but as I say funds dictate, and also my DS has Aspergers and is very set in his ways, I'm not sure he would like to be away from home at Christmas, but I will definitely talk to the DC about it. I would love to get away. You're so right in what you say, if I had a £1 for every time I've asked myself "is it me, am I being unreasonable, am I being difficult? ", I'd be a millionaire, but I know I'm not being any of those things. I've always "done the right thing", and done what my parents expected and wanted me to do. But things are different now. I've changed since losing my precious DH. I need time to grieve in my own time and my own way, without them adding to my stress and pressure. They are the ones who have behaved appallingly throughout everything. Like anyone, I am not perfect, and I know I have many faults, but the failing relationship between me and my family is not my fault, and I will no longer take responsibility for it and continue to feel guilty and blame myself xx

OP posts:
lemoncordial · 09/08/2015 10:22

I may be repeating some of the advice already given. There are many similarities with many of my family members. Rather than go NC I have kept a superficial relationship with family members who behave like that and I have zero expectations of them at all.

Ladyconstance · 09/08/2015 10:34

Bluebell, it's so heartening to know you're having help and support through CBT etc. Your post could have been mine - I've been through the very same thing minus the loss if a DH. Having had the same clinical diagnosis and intensive therapy for the last few months, I realise now that putting yourself through the therapy is in itself a huge strength and act of supreme courage. It's no picnic. But by focussing on yourself and that deep will to be a good mother yourself, the horrible feelings around your upbringing and parents etc will lose their power to hurt you. Keep going and you will be free to grieve your DH and be the parent you choose to be. Wishing you peace, happiness and courage.

FantasticButtocks · 09/08/2015 11:56

You sound much stronger and clearer than you did when you started this thread Smile If I haven't already recommended this excellent book about setting boundaries do get it, it will definitely help you!

Bluebell66 · 09/08/2015 17:04

That's excellent advice Lemon, thank you. I think that's the way I will go with this situation as well. I'm glad you've managed to find a way to manage it that works for you.

Ladyconstance, thank you so much for your kind words, they mean the world to me. All I want out of life now is some peace for me and my DC. The therapy isn't easy, but I'm committed to it and determined to try and improve my outlook on life.

Thank you Fantastic, it's only because of all the wonderful support and advice I've been given on here. It's really helped me and I'm so, so grateful to everyone who's taken the time to respond. No you haven't told me about the book, but it sounds like I should definitely get it.

OP posts:
Wyldey · 09/08/2015 17:17

I went through a challenging time recently due to PND - of course nowhere near as terrible an experience as your loss, but a hard time nonetheless, and my mum was very unsupportive. She's very much of the stiff upper-lip mentality, and clearly thought I just needed to pull myself together. I found the disparity between what a mother should be like when one of her children was in need, compared to the actuality, very hard to swallow. Especially when you have your own DC, because you look at them & think how if anything bad happened in their life you'd move heaven & earth to support them, even when they're adults.

I'm very sorry about your loss Flowers

FantasticButtocks · 09/08/2015 17:26

Please do. You can get it instantly if you have a kindle, then highlight bits you want to read again. I read it twice in a row, back to back ( it's not very long) and now when I feel someone stomping all over my boundaries in big ugly boots, I refer to the sections I highlighted to remind me how to deal with them Grin

FantasticButtocks · 09/08/2015 17:31

I found the disparity between what a mother should be like when one of her children was in need, compared to the actuality, very hard to swallow. Especially when you have your own DC, because you look at them & think how if anything bad happened in their life you'd move heaven & earth to support them, even when they're adults. YES! And it is this Observation which makes us make absolutely sure we take better care of our own DCs in my experience Thanks