Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

My mother's incessant hoarding on my son's behalf. Aibu

185 replies

HarleyQuinn33 · 06/12/2020 04:26

Background;. Growing up I lived in old clothes, clothes from bags that people donated to us, boys clothes, my middle aged aunts old clothes, shoes 3 sizes too big with cotton wool stuffed in the end. Home made hair cuts. Etc. My mother had a good job but she had a problem with spending any money on us. As an adult, I have no problem with second hand things but do like to like to have choice now and for the things I have to be quality. My in-laws and friends have given my baby nice quality things so I am lucky and well stocked as a new mum.

Current issue: When I became pregnant my mother started asking me if I wanted my cousin's old baby clothes. I said no, she would sit and try and persuade me, I said no again. She would then ask if I wanted her other friends old baby gym, clothes, baby plates etc and everything else, I said maybe just the gym. She continues to talk and try to persuade me to take everything despite me saying I don't need it all. I eventually keep saying I don't need it all and she says ok. I find out a few weeks later she has asked her friend to drop the baby clothes off at the house despite me saying no to them. I got a bit cross at this point because she just didn't listen and I ask her to please respect my wishes and no more things for the baby thank you we already have enough. A few weeks later my father tells me she went to buy a second hand buggy, bag of clothes and mattress from people from gumtree. I was fuming at this point because she apparently has ignored my wishes. The buggy is dirty and old and my mother tries to insist she will just hose off all the grime.

Fast forward, my child is newborn, she presents a bag of girls clothes to me and insists my son wear the items and that it's all ok. I say no but she protests. Later my father slips up and tells me my mother has a garage and shed full of stuff for my son. I am picturing more baby stuff, but he says there are bikes in there, baby walkers, chairs and tables etc. All piled up that she has asked friends to donate for my son. She gets cross because apparently this was a secret between my father and her.

Am I being unreasonable to be fuming right now? I don't know what to do anymore she just won't listen. When I try to say no to anything she twists it and tells me I am not environmentally friendly, she came from a poor family and had nothing, etc. Etc.

OP posts:
DrSK2 · 07/12/2020 17:41

I’m sorry if this comes across controversial, but I sometimes get intentionally rude and harsh with such people when a civil discussion doesn’t get the message across. I mean, being brutally honest and condescending - which serves as a wake up call to them. This is my way of dealing with such behaviour, and it may not be suitable to others’ relationships.

cherish123 · 07/12/2020 17:43

Tell her to take it to a charity shop and then it's not wasted. Also.tell her it would be wasteful leaving it with you as you already have enough.

planningaheadtoday · 07/12/2020 17:49

I've not read the whole thread, sorry. Just jumping on to say I have a similar set up with my mum. I'm constantly receiving bags and boxes of things that I really can't store and don't use. Things my children will refuse to even have in their rooms.

I have a lovely wise friend. She says that it's a deeply rooted behaviour. And that all my mum wants us to be thanked for her thoughtfulness. That she's not interested in where things are ending up, just that she's provided for her family.

My friend also has similar issues. She thanks her mother, puts it all in the car and takes it to the charity shop. If it's beyond the charity shop she stops at the tip on the way home.

duffeldaisy · 07/12/2020 17:49

I think I get where your Mum is coming from - having a time of real anxiety about whether you're capable of looking after yourself/others can have a massive impact. She's trying to protect you from that, to somehow prove that she is capable of giving you all something, of being useful.

It's a mh thing, and obviously a nightmare for you to deal with, but I bet it comes from a place of fear and desperate love, rather than anything wilfully controlling.

You do have to put your foot down entirely, but do be compassionate.
I'd sincerely hope I'd be well enough never do anything like that if my kids have children, but I do understand that compulsion to want to provide after you've had an experience of feeling utter helplessness & uselessness in not being able to in the past. That kind of thing can haunt you. Most people probably move on or are able to see it as being anxiety and meddling, but it sounds like she might need help to realise that, if she'll accept professional help.

tierdytierd · 07/12/2020 17:51

Keep saying no, if she sends someone round with a bag of stuff, as uncomfortable as it may feel at the time ‘sorry there must be some mistake, I don’t need anything, sorry you had a wasted journey’ keep saying nope x

HomeSliceKnowsBest · 07/12/2020 17:53

Wait till DP are safely out and torch the garage and shed?

Middersweekly · 07/12/2020 18:01

Totally sympathise with you OP, my mum is like this with food. If she thinks an item is nearly finished she goes into panic mode and will go straight to the nearest shop to purchase it. This is a nightmare when she comes to stay with me as I shop once a week and if something runs out then it will be left until the next shop to re-buy said item. You can almost see her having a total internal meltdown and panic across her face as the item will not be replenished straight away. This too stems from her childhood and being left without food/ not enough to eat due to being poor. Unfortunately these habits are hard to break. You just need to be firm and stand your ground. Give her good reasons behind why you’re declining her offerings and she’ll have to back down. Tell her if she leaves it on your doorstep it will go straight to the charity shop. Also tell her she may keep some things at her home for your son for when she babysits but she doesn’t need a garage full of equipment for one baby. Get your Dad on side and get him to start binning the stuff behind her back if needs be as he doesn’t sound very happy about it all either.

godmum56 · 07/12/2020 18:03

I wouldn't be angry, I'd be worried. This isn't your mum being difficult, this is your mum having a mental health problem. What I suggest is that you express your concerns (not anger) to your dad

Porcupineinwaiting · 07/12/2020 18:03

For those who say that the OP's df is enabling her mother, in what way exactly? What do you think he should be doing?

Bakingcupcake · 07/12/2020 18:08

No offence but your mother has issues, not normal behaviour to do this and hoard items you do not want. She needs to back off. Second hand is fine, but dirty buggys etc etc is just awful ... she needs to get a grip

BexR · 07/12/2020 18:18

My mum is the same. Charity shopping is her hobby and she comes home with huge bags of shit for me. She also has bags and bags of clothes for herself in her loft.

She almost passed the habit on to me. I'd go shopping with her and she'd go on about things being too good a bargain to miss, or "its only £2, what's the harm." Before I knew it I had 2 years worth of clothes in cupboards. Not any more. I've donated it and take pleasure in buying a reasonable amount of nice things rather than a huge amount of cheap things.

Dont get me wrong I like looking in charity shops but focus on designer stuff for myself not an asda £4 top for £1 etc.

As others have said just say no OP.

twinmum2007 · 07/12/2020 18:26

A friend's MIL was like this. Friend would just take the (usually horrible) stuff and then send it straight (back) to the charity shop or the bin. While they are still little and growing the 'outgrown already/puked up/pooed all over it' excuse should work.

FelicisNox · 07/12/2020 18:54

So your mother is a hoarder? So is mine and the 1st thing to learn now is that this is nothing to do with you and it's nothing to do with the excuses she presents you with. This is about HER.

My recommendation is you tell her exactly that: Mum please stop presenting me with items I don't want whilst pretending they are for my son, they're not. You're a hoarder and you are using him as an excuse for your problem and as much as I love you I will no longer be tolerating this behaviour and I will not be telling you again, enough is enough and I don't want anything bought for DS unless it has been expressly been agreed with me. As for the stuff in the garage, it needs to go to a charity shop. I'm sorry but from now on you will be getting VERY short shrift if you present me with anymore second hand rubbish, because that's what it is to me, rubbish. My recommendation is you contact your GP and you request some therapy because your time will be better spent dealing with your issue rather than collecting anymore of other people's junk.

Do this with your dad in the room, make sure he fully understands your feelings and tell him in front of her that he is not to agree to storing anymore stuff and it all needs to be disposed of ASAP.

She will be embarrassed and upset and that's ok: she needs to feel uncomfortable in her behaviour or it won't stop.

Repeat as necessary: "no thanks mum, we've already discussed this so take X away"..... broken record technique.

This is what I'm doing. My parents are due to move and I'm going over to their flat weekly to help them clear their stuff out. It started off OK but my mum's getting annoyed now because I won't accept any excuses but that's fine because I'm standing my ground. She has ruined every house she's ever lived in and she's ruining my dad's mental health so I'm done playing nicely. I'm not cruel, I fully understand it's a physiological condition caused by trauma (and I fully recognise that my mum has PTSD and ARFID) but that doesn't mean she's allowed free reign to make others lives a misery and we've all hit our limit.

Good luck.

exaltedwombat · 07/12/2020 19:26

Sounds like your boy has a treasure-trove of toys and games waiting for him! Don't be too quick to reject it on his behalf.

Lovely13 · 07/12/2020 20:20

When an elderly aunt died, discovered every bit of string, paper, the family had kept. Lot of children, little money, so they had to be careful. She continued to do this.
But while I understand why your mother is doing this, I would completely refuse to allow her continue this line of behaviour to you. Why should you have to bin off this ancient stuff. Doubt charity shops would want it either,
It’s your child. Your house. You have to say no, firmly, to her.

Biscuitybiscuit · 07/12/2020 20:23

It sounds like she can't help herself, you have to stand your ground and not accept anything unless its a birthday or Christmas gift etc. and limit that to one item of your choosing.

suzy2b · 07/12/2020 20:56

HarleyQuinn33

Please let us know what she gives you and son for christmast I can't believe she tried giving you girls clothes . My mother was the opposite
would but clothes that cost more than she had , had most of her clothes hand made

Noti23 · 07/12/2020 21:01

I get what you’re saying completely. I have no issues with second hand stuff- my son’s pram was second hand- but I chose it MYSELF. As a new mum it’s a part of the fun.

EugenesAxe · 08/12/2020 00:49

Well you should try where possible to reuse... but as most baby clothes are fairly gross with milk/poo/vomit yellowing that no amount of washing gets rid of, I also don't think YABU to refuse most of this stuff.

Also, it's one thing to pass on things she's kept from your childhood (I inherited some equipment from my MIL this way, but it was in good nick), but to actively go out and acquire for you when you've said no is out of order.

You'll have to take and just put straight back into charity or textile recycling... but it's a bugger you've now got this extra effort hanging over you.

gillyflower9 · 08/12/2020 07:27

I feel for you and you must stick to your principles. He’s your son and you call the shots.
My mother found a hat in the middle of the road, took it home and washed it. She gave it to my son and demanded that he wore it. She got very cross when he refused.
That was several years ago and the tip of the iceberg. Not surprisingly, I’m estranged from her now and my sons see her as little as possible. A manipulative batshit crazy woman.
Don’t give in now or her demands will get worse. Good luck!

Ddot · 08/12/2020 11:21

I take stuff from my mum and say thanks x
Then donate to charity shop. Everyone happy

Acjcs11 · 08/12/2020 22:30

I would say it’s a bonus to have all this extra stuff - the way babies go through clothes especially with poo explosions I find it so handy to have donated stuff. Some of the stuff hasn’t even been worn as it still has tags on! And as for the toys - some babies hate certain toys others love them to you can almost try before you buy in this case! For example I have a second hand mothercare walker and a much newer nicer looking jumperoo and she much prefers the old slightly worn walker!

Mumwithapub · 09/12/2020 22:53

You could always make a bit of cash with the stuff on boot sales when the weather gets better.

Jente · 09/12/2020 23:18

I feel for you both. A relative of mine is a hoarder. She had a horrible childhood, never allowed anything of her own so now has a compulsion to buy anything 'cheap'. It's awful for her family. I have nothing useful to say but I hope you find a way through.

HarleyQuinn33 · 11/12/2020 08:58

Thank you all for your messages. I have read them and felt better. I am now considering that she does have a mental health issue but she is also very controlling and manipulative as some have suggested.

Unfortunately things got worse and I just need a place to vent. I went over to my parents house. Mum had all the stuff laid in the living room, pottys, mouldy swim bands, etc. I took a look and said no to all and was insistent that no more things come my way. She seemed to take this on board which was good but I know that there are still things she is hiding she didn't admit to even when asked.

Anyway when I was there my father and she and I started talking. My father has had a good relationship with me over the past few years but was very punitive and violently tempered as a father and used shouting and beating when we 'spoke back'. During conversation he really started having a go at me for not letting my brother see my new baby yet. My brother is a doctor and he was shouting that I was being unfair and that as a doctor he wears PPE so I am being ridiculous. This was during the lockdowns that I said no visitors. I left the house in tears.

My mother wanted to come round this wkend for a walk so I agreed but said my father wasn't allowed. This morning she sent a cutsey photo of my father with my baby- no words were needed, I know what she meant to say.

I have had enough of them but live 10 mins away and don't know what to do. Please help. I can't afford to move.

OP posts: