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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To stop my dd seeing mil due to drinking

19 replies

tobeornottobethatisthequestion · 16/07/2018 01:20

My dd is 9. She's always had a good relationship with her gm, however over the past few years we noticed mils behaviour became really odd and found that she was drinking excessively.
Since finding out, we've tried to help and support as much as we can, she has tried to stop on a few occasions but started again....Things came to a head last year resulting in her losing her job but this time she gave up for about 8 months, she has improved health wise, seemed more stable, new job etc.
Last 4 or 5 weeks we've noticed old things creeping back in and sad to say she's totally back to drinking a bottle of vodka a day.
The problem is that we feel her erratic behaviour is really affecting dd but would feel cruel to say no contact....really could do with some friendly advice on how to handle this.

OP posts:
mrsjackrussell · 16/07/2018 01:27

I don't think that you will be able to change her behaviour if it's alcohol related. Only she can do that. You seem very caring towards her. What sort of behaviour is it? Can you talk to her about it?

tobeornottobethatisthequestion · 16/07/2018 01:32

It's juat really erratic....one day it can be happy drunk where everything is great but she doesn't seem to be good at reading situations iyswim, other days can be quite down, worries and tired but still unreasonable....there's no reasoning with her, ever. I've had to diffuse quite a few situations between my mil and dd, also dd is staring to say she doesn't like being there but doesn't want me to say in case it upsets her gm.

OP posts:
Wolfpac · 16/07/2018 01:33

My DF is an alcoholic too we have tried and tried to get him help to no avail. We have told him if he wants to get drunk we wont have him around our DD simple as that. It's way too dangerous if he happens to stumble around while holding my DD. So unless your MIL chooses to just stop I wouldn't let my children be exposed to that at all.

tobeornottobethatisthequestion · 16/07/2018 01:34

She kind of uses emotional blackmail against us all, even dd. It's difficult as last time was so devastating for all of us, we truly thought she has turned a corner. She is going to kill herself if she doesn't stop.

OP posts:
tobeornottobethatisthequestion · 16/07/2018 01:35

That's it @wolf, I just don't want dd exposed to it anymore...she's had enough to deal with in her life

OP posts:
agnurse · 16/07/2018 01:37

Active addicts have NO business being around children. EVER. They aren't safe. If MIL has a serious alcohol problem she could appear normal even though she's very drunk.

mrsjackrussell · 16/07/2018 01:40

It's just not fair on your daughter. Put her first and explain to gm the reason why.

Wolfpac · 16/07/2018 01:42

My father does as well says how he's so lonely and just wants to see his grandkids all while hes drinking I just have to stick to it. Shes only 9 months but he can be a horrible drunk I just dont give in. My DM tells me this stuff if I know hes ar home drinking I dont visit. Your DD is old enough to know what's going on she definitely shouldn't be around people like that. Alcohol is terrible :( because of my father I have only ever had a sip of wine when I was 18 and hated the taste so never touched it again and made it a point to never find a man who drinks alcohol (apart from the occasional beer or spirits which I dont mind) but glad my DH hates alcohol too and he doesnt want to as he sees how it affects many people.

Keeptrudging · 16/07/2018 01:43

YANBU to stop contact. It may be the wake up call your DM needs. Your DD is saying she doesn't want to go there, but doesn't want to upset your DM. It's not fair to keep exposing her to this. You can explain that your DM is not well and needs to get better first. Has she tried AA? They can provide support and fellowship, it's worked for many people if they want to change. Nothing you say will make her want to, maybe she needs to reach her rock bottom first, which may be losing contact with your DD. Good luck Flowers

tobeornottobethatisthequestion · 16/07/2018 02:03

I know this is what we have to do, it's just going to be so hard. She was given an ultimatum by my exdh last time when things seemed to hit rock bottom...She was under investigation by the hospital but when she stopped her results improved so quickly, she probably thinks she's invincible.
She wouldn't accept any form of counselling and just kept saying she felt ashamed but really seemed to pull herself together this time. It's gone on too long now, there's nothing more we can do to help.

OP posts:
SteamTrainsRealAleandOpenFires · 16/07/2018 02:43

She kind of uses emotional blackmail against us all, even dd.

Then you don't visit or have her around your house. No warnings, just go NC full stop.

Kimlek · 16/07/2018 02:54

It sounds like you’ve really tried to help. Unfortunately the alcohol has got the better of her and she needs to change forever. Meanwhile you have little choice but to keep your DD away. She’s 9 so will actually understand a lot and you can be pretty honest that it’s the best solution for the time being. GM needs time and space to be alcohol free and recover totally. You can add that once GM has recovered DD can spend time with her.

SteamTrainsRealAleandOpenFires · 16/07/2018 03:09

Sorry Kim, but OP just needs to walk away & not look back.

Monty27 · 16/07/2018 03:45

Out of your lives. That's it. Even if you have to move house. How's your exdh with her?

Graphista · 16/07/2018 03:57

My father is an alcoholic. There is at least an element of choice here (no doubt will get flamed by those who think it's NEVER any fault or responsibility on the part of the addict).

In addition mil is an adult, dd is a young child.

Your job is to protect her - that includes from emotional harm.

Do you really want to teach her:

That you nor her father will protect her? From any harm emotional or physical?
That her emotional needs are less important than an adults?
That her safety is less important than mil's addiction?
That her role is to placate an addict? Even when they behave very unreasonably? (Bear in mind future consequences - future partners?)
That addicts don't face consequences?
That addiction is normal and acceptable?

Please take it from someone who had no choice - you must NOT facilitate contact when mil is drinking and I mean while she is still an active alcoholic, not just the few hours when she's hungover.

3 c's (also worth Wolfpac reading)

You didn't cause it
You can't control it
You can't cure it

The ONLY person that can change the situation is the addict themselves IF they really want to AND get the correct support.

Addicts will beg, threaten, blackmail, manipulate, lie, attack - anything they deem necessary to maintain their status quo as it suits THEM. They don't care about anything but maintaining their addiction.

Your dd is TELLING you what she needs, she needs YOU to make the decision for her because it's too great a responsibility for a child. You cannot make a child responsible for a very much adult issue.

Kim - using a child as a reward is completely out of order.

Honestly addicts are inherently selfish, that's why they can only quit when THEY WANT to.

agnurse · 16/07/2018 05:07

You may find it helpful to see if there is a local chapter of Al-Anon or Adult Children of Alcoholics in your area. Al-Anon is based on AA but is for people who are affected by a loved one's drinking.

Jessicabrassica · 16/07/2018 06:06

The drinking will affect the relationship in my experience. My DM has been dry now for 4 years. DC 1 who was 5 when DM stopped drinking remembers her unpredictability and is still uncomfortable around her. I'm not allowed to invite grandma to school plays, concerts etc. DC2, who is 2 years younger and wasn't aware of dgm's odd behaviour has a much more straightforward relationship with her. DC1 will never trust DGM again which is a shame.

TheNoodlesIncident · 16/07/2018 07:31

My childhood was severely affected by an alcoholic, so I would have no hesitation at all at cutting her off entirely.

Your dd needs to come first, your MIL has her own choices to make. You can't do anything about it beyond withdrawing yourselves. Children are so vulnerable, please protect your dd first and foremost Sad

tobeornottobethatisthequestion · 16/07/2018 07:39

Thankyou for your replies. My exdh is pretty much the same as me with her, but is obviously closer to her than me and is hurting emotionally himself from everything that's happened. He agrees we need to make some decisions and has been the one in the past who will challenge her.
I feel sad that it's come to this, I know dd will probably start to miss seeing her and get upset about it, but you're right, we're the only ones who can protect her from this and we need to be tough.

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