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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

dying DF now we ve been called fuckwits by a family member...aibu to be furious

118 replies

whatisforteamum · 03/09/2017 08:34

I ve just had one of my worst months ever.Df is v ill and been hospitalised for weeks.So very much wrong with him he now cant walk more like shuffle to the loo.we almost lost him a few weeks ago.I started a new job too and despite leaving my last one due to too many hrs working I have just done 72 hr stretch on the rota.
I am physically and mentally drained.
on DFs request we haven't been able to visit for a few weeks which has been hard.He has been tearful angry and sleeps a lot due to his cancer being everywhere.This has been very hard for us not being able to see him or help out.
I visited him at his new nursing home and thought it was fantastic.Light airy and modern.I messaged DB to thank him for finding somewhere so nice( mum asked him to take her as he is in charge of the wills etc and was on hols for two weeks and they are close).
then I receive a text we are al fuckwits who could help more!!! Dsis has taken dm 6 times plus to visit DF.My dh has collected her a few times and offered last night to pick her up each night after his 12 hr day.Ive picked up shopping and nappy pads too.
we are so hurt.Dm has always insisted on getting a cab to visit df.So angry an educated well off man spoke to us like this1

OP posts:
Orangebird69 · 03/09/2017 08:38

It's not nice of him to talk like that to you but it's his dad too... he's maybe not dealing with the situation very well? Also, I think thanking him for finding a home for your df is a bit odd - he wasn't doing you a favour.

Slartybartfast · 03/09/2017 08:39

could you take some leave from your job in the circumstances?

Trollspoopglitter · 03/09/2017 08:43

Maybe he's angry that you haven't see his dying father for weeks and he's had to do everything for him. Picking up nappy pads hardly compares to finding a new nursing home. He's obviously lashing out, but you acting like you've no idea what brought it on isn't great either Confused

HerOtherHalf · 03/09/2017 08:46

I messaged DB to thank him for finding somewhere so nice

To be fair to him, i would find that patronising in the extreme and may well react to it. Look, you're all going through the mill just now. Emotions are running high, you are all stressed and worried. Tempers will fray. Bearing grudges will do none of you any good. Forgive and move on.

NoParticularPattern · 03/09/2017 08:48

We had this with our grandad. Youngest of his children (my uncle) declared that he was having nothing to do with nursing homes and wouldn't entertain the idea of looking for them. That my grandma was supposed to be looking after him and she wasn't. What he failed to notice, on account of the fact that he never bothered before my grandad had dementia, never mind once he was housebound, was that my grandma COULDN'T look after him.

Anyway he eventually went to visit aid nursing home after we had chosen it and had arranged for him to stay, and declared that it was absolutely dire and that he wouldn't have a dog living there. It wasn't, it was a lovely place with gardens and large light rooms, but he refused to see any of that because he was too bothered that his inheritance was being spent. I'm sure the stark fact that your dad was not long for this world isn't a great one to deal with, but my mum and my other uncle managed to put that aside like grown ups. As did all the grandchildren.

He was wrong to call you fuckwits, but I guess it is probably him being in denial about it all that had caused it. I guess he can't (or won't) see how much you've done to help and the fact that you guys haven't been allowed to visit for a while might not be helping the situation. He's grieving I guess, but being horrible to your siblings is no way to go about it. I would mention it gently to him, and if he still maintains that attitude to everything, then I would likely try to minimise contact with him. I know it sounds horrible to say that as he probably does need support, but you guys also need support and I'm afraid that doesn't come hand in hand with being called a fuckwit.

FenceSitter01 · 03/09/2017 08:50

So angry an educated well off man spoke to us like this so you're jealous he's got a good income ?

indulgentberries · 03/09/2017 08:59

Cut him some slack, he's been dealing with it all on his own by all accounts and he's probably exhausted, emotional and run down.
Can you get some leave from work?

Nocabbageinmyeye · 03/09/2017 09:01

I think yabu, yes he could have phrased it better but he is obviously under pressure and needs help, he is telling you that, listen to him and do more. Forget how he phrased it, he has more reason to be angry with you than you him so I would just take it on the chin and forget it under the circumstances. I'm also unsure what being educated and well off has to do with using the word fuckwits to be honest

EternalOptimistToo · 03/09/2017 09:03

Does your dbro knows that your DF said he didn't want you to visit for a while?
And why did he say that but somehow your dbro must have been able to (or maybe he said the same to your dbro and your dbro ignore it?)?

Minkyfluffster · 03/09/2017 09:04

Your post starts off being defensive. your DB is probably surprised by your message and sees that you haven't visited your dying father over anything else.

Others have already suggested that you look into getting some time off

EternalOptimistToo · 03/09/2017 09:04

Leave from work when you have justvstarted a new job??

Did the dbro take some leave from work? (I suspect t and I notice that no one suggested said dbro took some time off to recover and get a bit of breathing space... back to women's work etc... there)

MyOtherProfile · 03/09/2017 09:05

He has done all this in his 2 week holiday from work right? I think maybe you should take some time off too and be a bit more present. It isn't just about who buys the nappy pads or who finds the home but about who is there giving moral support. Soon when your DF is gone you may find you wish you had spent more time with him and your family.

MyOtherProfile · 03/09/2017 09:06

Leave from work when you have justvstarted a new job??
These are exceptional circumstances.

EternalOptimistToo · 03/09/2017 09:07

Worth noting that the OP didn't go and see her DF on her DF request which the OP found very hard.....

So it's not that she didn't go because she doesn't have time etc... she didn't because her DF asked her not to.
But she did before despite her long hours, a new job etc etc. And so did her DH.
Which is why she is exhausted.
I'm not sure how getting some time off work will help if she is still sticking to her DH wishes....

veryangrybee · 03/09/2017 09:07

When your father said he didn't want visits while he was in hospital, did that apply to everyone?

jacks11 · 03/09/2017 09:07

Sorry your DF is so unwell, it's a very hard time for everyone in the family.

Your DB is clearly lashing out and should not have used that kind of language, but I think it sounds like he has been left with the bulk of the work with very little assistance. That would have been hard for him- and hurtful.

I understand that your DF asked you not to visit, but that doesn't mean you couldn't have offered other assistance. Your DB may be in charge of wills but that doesn't mean he has to do all the work supporting DM and finding DF new nursing home etc. Perhaps he could have asked for help, but people often feel they can't/shouldn't have too.

Other than offering lifts, sometimes dropping off shopping and pads, have you done anything else to help? If not, it doesn't really seem all that much, in comparison to the leg work it takes to find a new nursing home (never mind the emotional aspect- worrying if you have made the right choice, will DF be as content as can be expected there etc).

I think messaging him was also not ideal- you don't always get the tone of what is meant and it can come across differently to the intent. Plus, I think that kind of conversation should be done in person or via phone call where you actually SPEAK. I use text messaging as much as anyone, but not for important or emotional conversations. It's so impersonal.

Unless you live a long distance away, there isn't really much excuse and I can see why your DB is upset. He should not have spoken to you like that, it's never ok to use language like that- but you are in the wrong too.

Also what does the fact he is educated and wealthy make to the situation? He's still losing his dad, which I've no doubt he finds as hard as you are. Wealth doesn't change that.

NeverTwerkNaked · 03/09/2017 09:08

Agree with others, he's stressed and distressed and lashing out. Don't hold it against him.

But it probably does mean it's time to have a discussion about whether you can help more?

MirabelleTree · 03/09/2017 09:08

He shouldn't have done that but in my experience there is always one in the family that the lions share of the work falls in and it is incredibly stressful.

It's horrible going round the homes to find one. Then there is lots of stuff to sort, the assessments, making sure all the info gets across, the inevitable teething trouble, the worry you've made the right choice and haven't missed any warning signs about the place.

Yes he shouldn't have done it. His education has nothing to do with it, I'd cut him some slack. I am really sorry for what you're going through Flowers

XiCi · 03/09/2017 09:08

Finding the right nursing home is really hard work. He's probably spent alot of time visiting various places and arranging the move etc. It's clear he thinks you should have helped more. What's your relationship with him like generally? I'd be straight on the phone to my dB in this situation to find out why he was so upset and how we could remedy it going forward

StrangeLookingParasite · 03/09/2017 09:09

so you're jealous he's got a good income ?

Oh FFS, do you have to work at being obtuse or is it a natural talent? This is the kind of deliberate nit-pickery that makes AIBU such a vicious place.

To OP: Did you point out to your brother that your lack of visits was at your Dad's request?

flumpybear · 03/09/2017 09:10

I suspect he's lashing out as he's upset too. From an outsider looking in, perhaps now is the time to get yourselves together and plan who does what and when to share it out so everyone feels they're both supporting and being supported through this awful time. It's the final few weeks/months I suspect from your message so just come together as a family and get support from each other - communicate don't row
So sorry your dad is unwell Flowers

NeverTwerkNaked · 03/09/2017 09:10

Ps huge sympathies, this time must be so so hard for all of you. Your DF may be wanting you to remember him before he got so ill Flowers

whatisforteamum · 03/09/2017 09:10

DM asked DB to take her to hospital talks we knew nothing about Nursing homes etc as we thought hospice was the next move.He told us three dsis not to visit at all on dfs request.
Normally I am the middle man.
I am not in the least jealous of his income.I meant to say I object to the f word being directed at a person and I'm more shocked when it is a well mannered person as I feel there is never a need to use that word.
I have never been jealous of him or anyone I have an each to their own attitude to money.
I have anxiety attacks and have been unable to drive this last six months so cannot help dm with lifts however DH has.Like I said ive just done 72 hours on shift work so pretty much work bath bed.

OP posts:
indulgentberries · 03/09/2017 09:12

Did the dbro take some leave from work? (I suspect t and I notice that no one suggested said dbro took some time off to recover and get a bit of breathing space... back to women's work etc... there)

It's bugger all to do with women's work and everything to do with helping a parent who is dying who you won't have the chance to see for much longer. Being male, female or something in between is nothing to do with it. I have no idea if the OP's brother has taken time of work but if he hasn't then he's been doing all the work plus his job. The OP needs to step in and help.

As for not seeing the DF, if I had a relative who was dying who I wanted to see I'd go regardless.

BabsGanoush · 03/09/2017 09:13

FenceSitter01 I don't think your comment is helpful to the OP at this time.