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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think that this woman should be doing more for her dad?

18 replies

LucozadeBreath · 10/10/2015 18:15

Sorry for the long back story, but I don't want to drip feed.
My DH's grandma more or less raised him, so we are very close to her. DH's grandpa died in 2009 of leukaemia, and grandma took care of him until the end at home. When he passed, she got friendly with a wonderful older gentleman who had also lost his wife, and their relationship grew to be more than friends. Grandma is in her mid 80's and her DP is in his mid 90's.
Earlier this year, grandma's DP was diagnosed with a form of bone cancer, which he had surgery and treatment for, that was supposed to set him on the path for complete recovery. Turns out the surgery did more harm than good, and he is now in a very bad way, unable to swallow, being fed through a tube, barely mobile etc.
They have never lived together, but spend alternate weekends at each other's houses. Ever since grandma's DP came out of the hospital, she has been looking after him as best she can, travelling the 25 miles between houses. When he is at her house, she takes on the responsibility of his medical care, and when he is at home, he has a community nurse go round a few times a day to sort out his feeding tube and medication. Now that might not sound like a bad situation, but the plot thickens.
His daughter lives 5 minutes down the road from him, she works part time, isn't married and has no children, but she doesn't seem to think visiting her sick father is important, let alone taking on some of the care responsibilities. DH and I live over an hour away from both grandma and her DP, and visit a few times a week, help with small things like shopping, and I do grandma's hair for her once a week, and DH sits and helps her DP catalogue his stamp and coin collections. Small things, but they make the both of them so happy. My DH's grandma is elderly, not in the best of health herself, and has already watched one man she loves die. AIBU to think that grandma's dp's daughter should be pulling her head from her backside and spending what little time her dad has left with him?

OP posts:
theycallmemellojello · 10/10/2015 18:20

I get why it's frustrating, but you don't know anything about their relationship. I don't think there's anything you can do, so I'd try not to worry about it.

gobbynorthernbird · 10/10/2015 18:20

Maybe he doesn't deserve her help and care.

lizzydrippingsghost · 10/10/2015 18:21

do you know anything about their relationship. he might be nice to your dps gm but could of been a shit dad/husband in his younger days.
there might be history that you dont know about and his dd feels she owes him nothing

LucozadeBreath · 10/10/2015 18:21

She's a nice enough woman, and they seem to have a good relationship - he has never said anything otherwise.
Just makes me so sad to think of such a lovely man sitting there by himself while his in terrible shape Sad

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OhBigHairyBollocks · 10/10/2015 18:23

You have no idea what their relationship is like, and no idea what has happened in their past. I understand why it's frustrating for you but really, it's none of your business.

Junosmum · 10/10/2015 18:24

You know nothing about their relationship. Maybe he was abusive, maybe they just didn't get on. Maybe she has a hidden or mental illness. So yes, YABU to judge someone's actions without knowing the background.

Booyaka · 10/10/2015 18:26

You really don't know the back story. And it's none of your business.

Katedotness1963 · 10/10/2015 18:26

I come from a small-ish town. Everyone knew my dad, everyone liked him, everyone said what a great guy he was and how lucky we were to have such a man for a dad. He'd do anything for anyone. Inside the house he was a shit. Nasty to us, drunk all the time, did bugger all for his family. Some people can pull off a great act, maybe there's a good reason she won't go near him now?

LucozadeBreath · 10/10/2015 18:27

I guess all me and DH can do is carry on with what we are doing, and try to keep the strain off of Grandma Confused
The reason I started this to get pp opinions on it, is because I am going for coffee with DH's aunt and the woman in question next week, and was debating whether to subtle drop into conversation something along the lines of "oh he would love to see you more often" - but maybe you are right. I could be doing more harm than good Confused

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Thisishalloweenfifteen · 10/10/2015 18:30

YABU.

There will be a reason.

Whether that reason is she's a thoughtless arse, he was an abusive tosser or all options in between, you will never know, because it has nothing to do with you at all.

I'm sorry if that sounds harsh, but I am having a living will drawn up which explicitly states I do not want my children caring for me in my old age.

ilovechristmas123 · 10/10/2015 18:30

on the face of it she should be doing more and you would think she would want to

but there may be a back story,i hope there is as if not she sounds selfish

theycallmemellojello · 10/10/2015 18:31

Yeah, tbh it's not like she's unaware of the situation. I'd stay out of it I'm afraid.

ilovechristmas123 · 10/10/2015 18:32

and some people dont give a toss about others even if there is no back story

whattheseithakasmean · 10/10/2015 18:33

A lot of people may think my step dad is a jolly man and I have a friendly relationship with him He treated me like shit under his shoe as a teenager and in my heart I will always hate him. But I am stuck with him in my life and as an adult all seems friendly on the outside (he has no power over me now).

You have absolutely no idea about the long term dynamics of this relationship - butt out, or risk sharp words (which you will deserve).

LucozadeBreath · 10/10/2015 18:34

Thanks - I thought I might be jumping the gun a bit, because she's not a nasty person - just seems so strange that she's not visiting, but like pp have said, some people are good at playing happy families in public and there probably is something below the surface.
I'll just keep doing what I'm doing, and keep my mouth shut when I see the daughter next week Smile

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OhBigHairyBollocks · 10/10/2015 18:41

whatthe I could have written your post.

Gottagetmoving · 10/10/2015 18:42

People often have opinions about what other relatives should be doing, especially in the case of looking after elderly parents/grandoarents. It would be better if you do what you know is right but not expect others to do what you think they should.
Siblings,especially, often fall out over who does what when their parents are old and moan they are doing everything but so and so does nothing etc. Let people be who they are.

LucozadeBreath · 10/10/2015 18:49

Gottagetmoving that's what I'm going to do. Just keep giving the help I'm able to give and not worry about what others are doing or not doing. As others have said, there could be more background than I'm aware of

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