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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To step back from helping DM

150 replies

NeedaKitKat · 03/03/2021 11:38

I'm really frustrated and have no one to offload or seek advice from.....I'll try not to waffle.

My DM is selling her house and relocating to my city. I've dealt with her house sale and as it's a private sale, I've also done the role of the estate agents, dealing with the buyers etc, as well as handling all the legal side of things. During this time I suffered a second trimester loss of our first child after many years of struggling to conceive. The sale has dragged on and I've followed it through to what will be completion very soon. Also arranged removals, storage etc.
At the same time I've been on endless property viewings in the last 5months to find her a home here. Had found one, but structural survey came back with major issues and we had to pull out. Waste of time and money. Was back on the hunt come January and last month found a property that was well below budget but needs work doing. DM is notoriously fussy and uncompromising with her expectations- not willing to downsize, wants a downstairs WC/shower room, wants a garage, a big kitchen etc. It's been really difficult in her budget.

DH has been amazingly helpful despite a very full on work schedule and has really given his all. He offered to manage the project whilst DM lives with us (as her house will have sold). DM was reassured and seemingly happy with this. Also, she almost expected to stay with us as if that should be a given, even though I offered to find her a rental. Anyway, she was shown the house online and street view because of lockdown etc. She agreed that with the renovation project she'll at least get all the things she wants in a house. So for last 6 weeks I've been engaged with solicitors, estate agent, builders and painters sorting things out with this purchase.

In the midst of all of this Ive been dealing with my own grief and was at the point of contemplating adoption and by some miracle I happen to find out I'm pregnant. It's been really tough managing my anxiety with this pregnancy but thankfully things are moving in the right direction. I've just hit my second trimester.

In the last few days I find that she's driven by the house with my DSis and had a look from the outside. She has now decided she doesn't like the look of the house and said the street was narrow and the area is "dirty". She doesn't know the area at all. I don't agree with any of her comments.

AIBU in simply backing off and not being involved in anything further to do with her house buy?

I feel belittled, my judgement undermined, and our time and effort unvalued. Now she'll be moving out in a few weeks with nowhere to buy and living at ours for ? amount of time. I'm feel let down and just simply used. We don't have the best of relationships as it is, it's taken a lot of maturity from me to let things go as she's my "mother" but it's getting harder and harder to convince myself of this.
Sorry about the long post.

OP posts:
Disfordarkchocolate · 03/03/2021 11:42

Honestly, please step back from it all. No having her stay with you, no viewings, no organising. You need to focus on this baby, you need to grieve your loss. I just want to give you a big hug and have a few choice word with you Mother for expecting all of this from you when you needed to grieve.

Knittedfairies · 03/03/2021 11:46

I think your instinct to back off is entirely right; you've worn yourself out for months finding her somewhere to live, and she and your sister have undone it all in a drive-by. Tell her you're done. Best wishes for your pregnancy💐

RealMermaid · 03/03/2021 11:47

I think the real concern here is her expectation to stay with you for an indefinite amount of time. I think you need to put your foot down and tell her she needs to find a rental somewhere else if she doesn't have a place to move to. Otherwise do you honestly think she will ever look for another house for herself when she's got you at her beck and call 24/7? You don't need the stress when you're pregnant.

Tangohead · 03/03/2021 11:47

Definitely step back as you need to prioritise your health and your family and I think your DM is going to complain regardless of what happens and if she buys a property that she’s not happy with she will end up blaming you. But do you really want her living near you?

MamaMeAh · 03/03/2021 11:48

Please focus on yourself and your family. Step back and don't give it a second thought now
Congratulations on your pregnancy

Tangohead · 03/03/2021 11:48

And you really do not want to living with you

SatyajitRayFan · 03/03/2021 11:49

Besh wishes for your pregnancy. Please take care of yourself.
Please back off from all this drama. You've done more than enough.

NeedaKitKat · 03/03/2021 11:51

Thank you both. Just reading your replies have made me cry. Because there is no one else to say it, I feel lost in this haze where perhaps I'm wrong and then guilt trip myself.
I keep reminding myself to just look after this baby and not fill it toxic anxiety. Really need to switch off from it.

OP posts:
Joinedjustforthispost · 03/03/2021 11:53

Op I don’t know you but I’d like to offer you a big virtual hug! You sound like such a caring person but I think your dm will never be satisfied or nothing will be ever good enough for her , I’d step back and let her find someone else to help her op and get yourself back , concentrate on yourself. Be honest just ignore the emotional blackmail and let her get on with it you have done more than enough and need to recoup yourself Flowers

Mamamamasaurus · 03/03/2021 11:54

Take a massive step back OP. You're dealing with your own grief, you need time and to look after yourself. If she's SO fussy, she can spend the time looking for a house herself

I'm sorry for your loss Flowers

Joinedjustforthispost · 03/03/2021 11:54

Oh and congratulations!

BoredOfCbeebies · 03/03/2021 11:56

Don't let her move in, find her a rental and prioritize yourself. Can your sister help at all? It's unclear why you've done all the work so far, rather than your DM, but she doesn't seem to appreciate it - so I'd back off and let her sort her own life.

Sahm101 · 03/03/2021 11:56

After what you have been through, I would even go as far as saying that you need to have a screw you attitude to anything or anyone who brings negativity around this precious time for you. Hugs op. DO NOT LET HER MOVE IN WITH YOU.

AnExcellentWalker · 03/03/2021 11:57

I'd tell her she needs to find a rental. The stress is all getting too much & you're worried about the baby. She sounds pretty self centred TBH.

Whattherapy2020 · 03/03/2021 12:02

Ahhh you sound so lovely.
You need to put yourself first and focus on all your emotions and keeping yourself fit and well.
Don't let your mother move in. It won't be for your benefit and she is bound to make life difficult.

Her pulling out could be a blessing. Tell her any purchase will take a while so she should get a rental. Then SHE can find something she likes.

IggyAce · 03/03/2021 12:02

Flowers for you. Definitely step back just tell DM sorry you now don’t like the house, but due to my previous loss I’m now unable to help you find another I’m sure DS will help. Due to having to take it easy I think it best you move into a rental and forward her details of a couple. Leave it there & don’t engage further please focus on you & the baby, good luck.

Whattherapy2020 · 03/03/2021 12:03

Plus let your sister help her. You are pregnant and will soon have a baby to focus on. Not your mother.

NeedaKitKat · 03/03/2021 12:05

Thank you for the kind responses.
I know I crave validation from my DM but I know I won't get it. I have a lot of anxiety and lack of confidence because of this.
Since moving here and settling with DH I've flourished and grown confidence in myself.

I had to take the lead in this as I've always been seen as the reliable one. My DSis is self absorbed and irresponsible and so my DM wanted me to handle it. She herself couldn't do it because she doesn't know the area etc. DSis married and moved to my city a short while back......hence by DM now wants to move here too.

OP posts:
FlyNow · 03/03/2021 12:06

You are in such a tough spot because if you don't do anything to help she will be living with you for who knows how long.

I slightly sympathise with your mum, as I also struggle with change, and I specifically find buying real estate the most difficult thing ever and find it impossible to make decisions. Except with me, I'm the only one its affecting, certainly no one is having me stay in their house.

NeedaKitKat · 03/03/2021 12:13

I agree @FlyNow but when the help is given sincerely it's just thrown back.
Also, we know the burden of responsibility of buying a house for someone so we also had second and third opinions to ensure this was a good decision.
And I just feel a child playing "pretend", too silly for real life

OP posts:
ChaToilLeam · 03/03/2021 12:18

YANBU. Your priority now must be your pregnancy and DM will have to either find a rental or stop being so damn fussy.

saraclara · 03/03/2021 12:19

To be fair to her, buying a house that someone else has chosen, based on online photos and a streetview sounds mad to me. I can quite understand driving past it and thinking, 'no'.

What is wrong is that she let this happen and left everything up to you. Was that entirely necessary? Did she ask you to do all of this or did you choose to do all the work?

But yes, having asked/agreed/accepted that, she needs to rent if she's not happy.

Whatifitallgoesright · 03/03/2021 12:24

Is it possible that her actual plan is to live with you permanently and so there is always going to be a problem with any house?

isitsafetocomeoutyet · 03/03/2021 12:26

Does she know you're pregnant? And she's still planning on moving in indefinitely...?!

I would raise this as the perfect time to bow out. It's not going to work her staying. Prioritise yourself and your health.

I agree with the pp. the problem is she has no drive to sort this. She just thinks she can crash at yours so there's no rush. Make it her problem. She's an adult. She's selling her house so now she needs to find somewhere to live. Why doesn't she rent and then get to know the area?

Also - congratulations and take care Thanks

LunaHeather · 03/03/2021 12:29

OP of course don't do all this

But why did you start? She is an adult.

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