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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Lack of support from mum

52 replies

user1489138880 · 10/03/2017 10:35

Hi, this is my first time posting.

I had my first child three months ago and my mum was over the moon as this is her first grandchild (although she does have four step grandchildren). My mum goes away a lot and my due date fell just a few weeks before she was due to go away for 2 and a half months. I kept hoping she would cancel her holiday and stay to help us with my DS but every time I brought it up about how she would be missing out on the early weeks she would just say how big he'll be when she gets back. Since she has been gone OH and I have been through hell with our DS due to his silent reflux, we've had meds for him but his symptoms are at the serve end and we've been sharing the night shift as our DS can't be put on his back, not even on us! Things have improved now he's 12 weeks but we're exhausted. My mum is due home next week and I'm feeling really mixed emotions about her return, on the one hand I'm physically and mentally exhausted and need her help on the other hand I don't want her around as she's not been here for me when I needed her. I'm tearing up all the time about the situation. Is it wrong to be angry at her for not being there for me?

OP posts:
scaryteacher · 10/03/2017 17:36

I wasn't aware that I had said that my Mum didn't do any donkey work Owllady...she did, but it was as and when she could manage leave from her job, and pay for the flights to see my db and his family, or afford the petrol to come and see us.

Not every one lives close enough to see each other regularly; parents may still be working, and have other commitments, like other dc still at home, or have caring responsibilities for their own parents.

You are only going by what the OP has said. For all you know the OPs Mum could have a raft of responsibilities that haven't been mentioned on here. Her holiday could have been bought and paid for before the Op got pregnant. Is the Mum supposed to put her life on hold, just in case her daughter conceived? She may have been travelling with someone else who would also have had to forego their trip if she pulled out, or pay more if travelling as a single. Would the OP have been prepared to cover that cost?

My Mum got little help from either her mil or own mother with my db and I, not because they were avoiding donkey work, but because we were a Forces family, and moved every couple of years to different parts of the UK. My gps lived in East Anglia. I had a close and loving relationship with both sets of gps, and when my Dad died in 2001, my Mum, db and I took over the responsibility of Nana (which was v selfless on my Mum's part as she and my Dad had been divorced for quite some time by then).

I was grateful for any help from my Mum and pils when ds was small, but it wasn't my right to have that help; it was for them to offer it as and when they could fit it in with their lives and commitments.

Blossomdeary · 10/03/2017 17:49

Enjoy her now she's back - she had no way of knowing that things would be so rough for you all. I am sure that she will be around for you now.

There is another side to this - there are mums on here complaining endlessly about the level of "interference" they have from their mums and they wish they would butt out! Sounds as though they can't win! If they don't manage to second guess what their DD thinks is the perfect way for them to behave they get slated.

You are tired and teary for lots of reasons - quite justifiably and we can all identify with that. But please be careful that you do not load the blame for all of that on your mum. You could destroy what could be a happy and mutually beneficial relationship for the future for all of you.

Your parents have chosen the way that they want to live their retirement, and it is an entirely valid choice, which has the advantage of not leaving you shouldering any responsibility for their happiness. If they were sitting around waiting for you to be with them to give purpose to their lives, you would find that very burdensome.

I am sure your mum will fall in love with her new GC and be around lots! You will all find the right balance in time. But do not expect to be able to think rationally when you are a first time mum - it will all improve I promise! And heaps of congratulations on your new arrival. [flowers}

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