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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

My mum has an excuse for everything!

66 replies

summerrose11 · 26/04/2020 23:06

Aibu to be raging. My mum literally has an excuse for everything. I say black she says white.
I mentioned today that my BIL is flouting the isolation rules and going for a bike ride today with one of his mates. My mums excuse ah well if they keep 2m away from each other then that's fine. I'd like to think she was joking, she wasn't.
Just now seen on fb family friends, that happens to be one of my mums good friends is having a small gathering with alcohol. Video was posted of doing some stupid challenge. Family from different households there, other people I didn't know where there. I mention to my mum again. Doesn't acknowledge the gathering and comments on the MH of one person there and excuses her to say she can't help her MH. Wtf
This is not the only time she will excuse though. If my abusive ex has done something I'll ask for advice or an opinion. She knows he's abusive but always has an excuse for him even though she hates him.
She had an excuse when we thought my sister had coronavirus but just popped to my mums house for the morning but didn't tell our mum she had a fever and felt ill. She excused that too.
Aibu to be enraged. I've had enough of her pathetic excuses.

OP posts:
MitziK · 27/04/2020 09:24

Do you want us to agree with you, do you want to vent to the world - or do you want to talk about reasons why she might say things like that?

You want her to agree with you and validate your anger.

She considers that there could be other influences contributing to a situation - such as somebody's mental health making them less likely to make a correct decision. Doesn't change the fact that what they did was in opposition to the social distancing advice, but it might go some way to explain why they made shit choices.

She doesn't get angry at your sister for potentially putting her at risk - because getting angry with her wouldn't help the situation or change the fact that she's already been there/she doesn't want you falling out with your sister over it on her behalf.

Even though she hates your ex, she tries to consider there are explanations or factors around things he's done - it would be easier to say 'He's a bastard' and leave you even more wound up about him than you were already, chucking petrol onto a fire.

You interpret her as being aggressive and making excuses - could it be that it's not excuses but possible explanations? Because raging at the world isn't good for you? She doesn't like you being unhappy and angry and tries to get you to slow down and think about reasons being more complex than them simply all being cunts all of the time because being that angry?

Looking for reasons is not the same as making excuses. It is not the same as saying you're wrong. But if you tend to call her when you're absolutely furious about something and then get angry with her because she won't engage in winding you up about the initial subject even more, you're possibly calling her at the wrong time. Wait ten minutes. Then call. Or call somebody else who enjoys stoking up your rage and save calling your Mum for when you want a calmer conversation.

CBT and counselling can be useful in helping people deal with ongoing stressful situations, such as dealing with arsehole exes or instantly feeling attacked if somebody doesn't agree with you completely and immediately - I wonder whether your ex demanded that total agreement and would be threatening or physically abusive if you disagreed with him or tried to tell him why you had done/not done something? 'The washing up hasn't been done' 'I've just got in from work/child fell over and needed a plaster and cuddle' 'Don't give me bullshit excuses, you're just an ugly, lazy bitch and you make me sick' - type of thing?

It's frustrating, but is she really pathetic - or are you saying words your ex would use for you?

Jupiter202020201 · 27/04/2020 09:30

YANBU to feel the way you do. It sounds like an issue that’s bothered you for so many years and even the seemingly smaller things that she makes excuses for will ignite rage in you probably because of that. For your own sake, perhaps try accepting that she is who she is and likely will not change no matter what you say. Otherwise the constant frustration you feel will just end up affecting you!

Ilovemypantry · 27/04/2020 09:33

I totally get where you’re coming from OP. I also have a close family member that does this....always takes someone else’s side and makes it sound like I am in the wrong for daring to make a comment or criticise someone. I really don’t understand it as you’d think your nearest and dearest would want to be on your side.

Fairyliz · 27/04/2020 09:33

@MitziK
Wise words.

saraclara · 27/04/2020 09:37

I'd assume she's just trying to make the point that you personally can't police everyone and you don't know everyone's circumstances.

That. You're whinging to her about people you don't even know. It must be exhausting for her.

I'm finding that people moaning and policing the acts of strangers is really bringing me down. The only way I can deal with this situation is look for and appreciate the good. If I had someone like you whinging about something they'd seen a FB friend of mine doing, it would really annoy me, and I'd be saying the same as your mum, simply because gettting angry and judgy (or listening to others being so) isn't good for me.

Happymum12345 · 27/04/2020 09:40

Mums can be a little irritating at times! I suppose we just have to rise above it. Try not to think about it-easier said than done, especially during these crazy times Flowers

Chamomileteaplease · 27/04/2020 09:40

Although I think Mitzik has some interesting views surely there can be no reason to side with an abuser?? Surely in that case, at least, the OP should only hear, yes what a bastard! To be unheard and to have the abuse unrecognised is surely very damaging?

OP, I would stop having such a constant chatting relationship with your mother! Pull back! You are obviously on different wavelengths and it sounds like you share far too much with her.

lottiegarbanzo · 27/04/2020 09:48

Stop 'mentioning' things to her and asking her for advice! Sorted.

ChicCroissant · 27/04/2020 09:50

I think this thread is going to be an even split between the people who make this kind of phone call, and those who receive this kind of phone call!

MarieIVanArkleStinks · 27/04/2020 09:58

my BIL is flouting the isolation rules and going for a bike ride today with one of his mates.

This isn't flouting The Rules. It's more frustrating that people are making these up as they go along and then wanting to impose them on other people.

That aside, your mum's behaviour does sound frustrating and quite damaging to you. If you still want a relationship with her, I suspect the best way to go is to put her on a strict information diet. Stop confiding in her about anything sensitive - the abusive ex would be a particular flash point for me - and go to your most trusted friends when you want to have a moan about other people's behaviour (that's not a criticism - it's healthy to have a good old whinge from time to time as long as you don't constantly wallow in bad-feeling, and I suspect most of us do it! But your mum isn't the right person).

You need to stop showing her chinks in your armour which give her leverage. She clearly knows how to press your buttons, and stopping confiding in her would be a quick way to spoil her fun. It seems to be an offline equivalent of not feeding the troll. Currently she's getting the reaction she wants, and it's just encouraging her.

Keep it to lighthearted chat about the weather.

Toilenstripes · 27/04/2020 10:15

I would mess with her. Set her up to contradict herself. Or just accept it and chill.

knittingaddict · 27/04/2020 10:17

Actually I think technically she is right. The rules say no gatherings of more than two people unless members of the same household. So two people meeting for exercise and maintaining social distancing is within the rules.

ChipotleBlessing I'm not sure that the meeting of 2 people being allowed has been mentioned for some time. It says this in the guidelines on the government site:

"one form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household."

I don't think that's at all ambiguous.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/full-guidance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others/full-guidance-on-staying-at-home-and-away-from-others

I'm willing to be corrected if I'm wrong.

Namechangeapril20 · 27/04/2020 10:22

My mum does this too. Its beyond mind melting. I tell her very little now because her excuses anger me so much. Theres literally nothing you can do about it, but I know how frustrating it is and it really hinders our relationship. It seems to take so much energy out of me.

Samtsirch · 27/04/2020 10:23

OP I would be extremely hurt if my mother didn’t support me or have my back over an abusive partner, that would be unforgivable for me.
With regard to other situations just don’t discuss any of them with her , you already know how she will respond.

SharonasCorona · 27/04/2020 10:23

yea I am negative when people break rules that are in place to protect us from catching a killer virus! I can't see a logical reason to have people over for a small party tbh. I know these people they don't care.

YABU for being the corona police.

MitziK · 27/04/2020 10:27

@Chamomileteaplease Not necessarily. Yes, he's a bastard. That's proven. It's sometimes handy to work out why they are saying/doing something though, as it means you can possibly preempt or evade a trap or at least know what's coming, rather than be caught on the hop.

And very, very occasionally, they may actually be right about something but be incapable of expressing it like a decent human being, so the point is lost in all the bullshit background noise.

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