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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Should I stay away?

7 replies

Auntworries · 18/04/2019 10:59

My sister messaged me yesterday telling me my elderly aunt is in hospital and not in a good way. My sister had already been to visit her.

Back story, I will try to be brief. My mum died 3 years ago, from cancer. I looked after my mum in my house, for about a year, until I couldn’t any longer and she went into a care home. I visited everyday. My aunt and uncle visited her in both settings. When at home, I made them sandwiches, tea and made them feel welcome. On bad days, I would rearrange their visit at my mum’s request.

My mum had better days and bad days. My mum had expressed she didn’t want visitors on a bad day. My aunt and uncle visited on a bad day in the care home. My aunt got really upset. My uncle told me it had affected her really badly for days after.

I phoned my uncle and suggested that if he checked with me before hand, I could let him know if it was better or bad day before visiting.

He phoned my sister in tears and said it was his sister and I am controlling when they can visit! My sister said she had explained I was thinking of my mum and aunt. I thought all was ok and tbh I was visiting my mum everyday, had enough to deal with, I didn’t phone to check they were ok.

My aunt and uncle haven’t spoken to me for 3 years. They have kept in touch with my sister, checked she is ok after losing my mum, visited and so on.

I don’t know if I should visit? Or even if I would be welcome? Would I be unreasonable not to visit?

OP posts:
bringthethunder · 18/04/2019 11:02

I wouldn't bother. If they truly cannot understand where you were coming from when you were caring for your terminally ill mother, then I wouldn't waste your time on them now. I think they were incredibly selfish in the past and to heap even more anguish on you after a hellish year, and grieving period by cutting you off, I would leave them to it. Let your sister visit and be the "family representative".

Auntworries · 18/04/2019 11:27

I spoke to my dad and sister before phoning my uncle, we all agreed they should phone before visiting! We agreed it should be me he phoned, as I was the person who was there everyday!

Not sure how this translated into it being just me and me being the ‘bad guy’ and phoning my sister, to complain about me and about OUR decision.

I do feel a bit resentful, as I was my mum’s main carer, the one doing everything and I’m the ‘bad guy’!

That was years ago, not sure if I should put it to bed and be the ‘bigger’ person. My head is telling me to, my heart is saying fuck em!

OP posts:
Brefugee · 18/04/2019 11:33

Some people are dicks and grief exacerbates that so i can imagine that's where your aunt and uncle were coming from. But to cut you off like that is just mean.

How about going with your sister for a short visit and see how it goes? that way if it's ok and you feel like it you can go again. If it goes badly you will have your sister for support, and you can leave quickly and not bother going again. Either way, at least if the worst happens and your aunt dies, you won't be worrying about "might have beens"

Flowers
AryaStarkWolf · 18/04/2019 11:37

aww so sorry for the loss of your mom OP, they were very out of order at the the time and to continue it for 3 years is cruel and heartless at a time when you must have been at your lowest. I'm not sure anyone can tell you what to do here, only you know that but neither decision is wrong imo

PotatoesDieInHotCars · 18/04/2019 11:37

Your elderly aunt has had 3 years to get in touch after choosing to go no contact with you. During one of the hardest periods of your life they chose to walk away from you. You owe them nothing.

Butterflyone1 · 18/04/2019 11:49

If you want to go and visit then go. If something happens to your Aunt you will only regret not going to see her. I don't think you'd ever regret going to see her, even if the welcome isn't warm.

Grief affects everyone in different ways and whilst it's not nice that your Aunt has ignored you for three years, maybe she has her reasons. You won't ever know this unless you speak to her.

Auntworries · 18/04/2019 12:06

I do feel resentful, hadn’t realised just how much until now.

A bad day for my mum, was severe psychosis, not knowing who I was, screaming, trying to hurt me, not sleeping, paranoid etc. The bad day they saw was just my mum in uncontrollable pain and having to be sedated.

I was trying to protect them and my mum’s dignity.

butterfly now would definitely not be the time to discuss my aunts reasons. I do need to just let go of the resentment.

I will ask about visiting, see what response I get.

OP posts:
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