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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is there an age your mum sort of starts caring less?

254 replies

Feeldoublemyage · 05/01/2022 09:45

I’ve noticed it over the last few years, first in silly little ways-always sent me small gifts on my birthday, advent calendar at Christmas (I live abroad) doesn’t anymore, barely gives any birthday money when she sees me etc. The main thing is just the lack of caring/suppprt. When I had my Dd, she barely helped or offered any advice, if I’d message about anything, you’d mainly say could I ask me friends, well I could, but would love some support off her too.
The most upsetting has been when she texts to ask how I am, if I say I’m not that great that day (have long covid for almost two years, mainly ok, but with relapses which aren’t great) I barely mention it, but if I do, she then doesn’t even reply to that message, but will message a week later all bright and breezy as if all is ok. Is it that she just can’t be bothered? Because I now have a Dd, I feel I’m very different and can’t imagine not being there for her.
Is anyone else’s mum like this? Is it an age thing?

OP posts:
LalalalalalaLand123 · 05/01/2022 10:32

I find the same with my mum, though tbh she's always been like this, just getting worse. I have a DD and can never imagine treating her like this. Sending empathy OP.

crazycrochetlady · 05/01/2022 10:36

Does she have parents still alive to care for? I'm in the midst of this, and while I still love my grown children as fervently as ever I really don't have the headspace for the detail of their lives. I wonder if they think I don't care as much?

SirChenjins · 05/01/2022 10:37

How old is she? I'm 53 soon, my eldest DC are 22 and 24, youngest is 14. Between my full time work, trying to juggle house stuff, 14 year old's school stuff and hobbies, feeling absolutely knackered with the menopause, trying to have some semblance of a relationship with DH, trying to do my own hobbies and keep up with my own friendships, dealing with health issues that I don't share with the family and managing a small puppy that everyone assured me they would help look after (ha ha) I am on my knees. The twenty somethings rarely ask me if I need help, or how I am - they just seem to expect a lot from me. They are lovely people, but I do feel I need to step back from looking after them, worrying about them and sorting out their concerns - it's just too much.

mbosnz · 05/01/2022 10:37

With my mother, I imagine that a couple of my sisters feel a bit aggrieved that perhaps Mum doesn't 'mark' their birthdays as she once did. On the flip side of that, Mum wouldn't hear from them, let alone receive a gift or a card for hers, while she always meticulously acknowledged theirs, their partner's and their children's birthdays. Eventually, it pissed her off, I would say, understandably so, and so she ceased and desisted.

Same thing about emotional support. She wouldn't hear from them unless they wanted or needed her. They wouldn't ring up just to shoot the breeze, or because they thought she might be struggling - e.g. wedding anniversary, Dad's death date, things like that.

Three out of four of us have moved abroad. I took the attitude it was up to me to maintain the relationship with my mother. I also understand she's getting older, and her focus is understandably on her life, not ours.

None of this may apply to you, I hasten to add! Just from our family dynamic!

HeronLanyon · 05/01/2022 10:43

Struggling to answer as don’t know some stuff. Is she on her own? Is she busy? Does she work ? Does she have her own problems etc ?

Once I was around 30ish my own mum did a bit less obvious ‘mothering stuff’ but I knew she was really busy with her own career and then plans for retirement and some money worries etc. It ebbs and flows naturally for many for good and understandable reasons.

No matter what I am sorry you are feeling this way. Have you talked to her about it ? I did once with my mum when it began to upset me that all she wanted to know about was my own career stuff which frankly I wanted a break from when talking to her. We had a good chat and things changed a bit for both of us - fir the better. We’d just got stuck in a it off a rut with each other.
Good luck.

CaMePlaitPas · 05/01/2022 10:44

My Mum is a bit like this. She's been loving but distant since I was about 16. My Dad and her support us financially but sometimes I'd just love a coffee and a hug. We live abroad and don't get to see them much, I will always love her and I know she loves me but I wish she was more forthcoming with support.

I ration it out as she had her first child when she was 28, and her last at 33, she raised us really well got us all through university, paid the mortgage on time, every time, but "motherhood" completely took her over. She told me later that she never felt like a woman, just a Mum and she really struggled with frustration and sadness at not having much of an identity outside of being our Mum.

As we got older and we could do more and needed her less she came into herself. I've always said that if she was a colour she'd be a beautiful sunny day yellow, she has a beautiful spirit. I'm glad she's living for her now, and one day I will too, but it is hard because I miss her being my Mum.

EmmasMum12 · 05/01/2022 10:46

How old is she? Is that relevant? Could she have a MH issue?

I'm not sure if, once my daughter has children, my financial focus will turn to her children rather than to my daughter. I just don't know

But caring, love, empathy, practical help, interest/querying .... for my daughter .... I cannot ever imagine that waning , it never will wane

Feeldoublemyage · 05/01/2022 10:47

She’s in her late 60’s now.

I’m always asking after her and check up on her, a few months ago, she had a hard time with her health and I texted a few times per week to check on her and sent gifts.
With this for coming up to almost 2 years, she’s barely acknowledged it. When I’ve spoken about it when she’s come to stay, she just doesn’t say much, listens, I think…hope 🤷🏻‍♀️But doesn’t really give much advice.

OP posts:
cushioncovers · 05/01/2022 10:47

I noticed my mum started caring less after the menopause, I wonder if it's something to do with the reduction in oestrogen and the slight increase in testosterone.

diamondpony80 · 05/01/2022 10:48

I don’t think it’s an age thing as my Nan is nearly ninety and still as caring as ever to her daughter and grandchildren. My mum is supportive and caring to me too even though I live quite far away and don’t see her much.

Feeldoublemyage · 05/01/2022 10:48

I know that in a week or so she’ll just message again as if I’ve said nothing and then I just usually reply something about Dd or something lighthearted and she responds.
Doesn’t feel nice though,

OP posts:
georgarina · 05/01/2022 10:50

I'm a single parent, nc with my mum and my dad is like this. Well he did offer to babysit for a couple hours 3 years ago when DS1 was a baby but I came back to hear him shouting at him for crying. So no babysitting anymore.

I also have a chronic illness dx that is totally ignored/not believed by family and it is very hard. Working full time, single parenting, then having DF come over on a Saturday when I'm trying to rest on the couch and watch DC and him saying 'get up, look at yourself'...I've just worked a 60 hour week, no one helping me, and I have ME. Thanks.

I would never expect help but it would be nice. I hear about other people's families helping - including people in my own family helping others and not me - and get jealous! But at the same time I would rather have my DC than have no DC and more time to myself. It's the choice I made.

EmmaH2022 · 05/01/2022 10:51

@Feeldoublemyage

She’s in her late 60’s now.

I’m always asking after her and check up on her, a few months ago, she had a hard time with her health and I texted a few times per week to check on her and sent gifts.
With this for coming up to almost 2 years, she’s barely acknowledged it. When I’ve spoken about it when she’s come to stay, she just doesn’t say much, listens, I think…hope 🤷🏻‍♀️But doesn’t really give much advice.

Sorry, doesn't give much advice on what?

She may be trying to keep her health stuff a bit quiet. When I have health stuff going on, I don't want to talk about it. My late father was the same.

I am lucky to have a mum who still wants to do birthday money etc but
I have a feeling if we lived in different countries, we'd have grown apart. I think that's both of our natures.

Tal45 · 05/01/2022 10:52

@BendicksBittermints4Breakfast

As the mother in a similar situation I find that if I offer any advice or innocuous comment I get my head bitten off if it doesn't suit Madam so I am probably silently being accused of 'not caring' as I keep myself distant. You can't have it both ways, we're not mind readers.
But were you asked for advice? Your post sounds like something my mother would say to me. She'd also call me madam. My advice would be to not give advice or 'innocuous comments' unless it's asked for, otherwise it can feel far more like judgement and interfering than support and understanding. Distancing yourself because it's not appreciated rather than understanding the impact of your behaviour is childish and passive aggressive IMO and are also what my mother would do.

Look at your own behaviour would be my advice if you want to improve your relationship.

Annaghgloor · 05/01/2022 10:53

@Emerald5hamrock

Your situation is different, it doesn't seem like she was very nurturing anyway, not helping with you or her DGD when she was born, blatantly ignoring you if you're ill. It's like grieving when you don't get the DM you deserve one who puts you first. I think you should try ignoring her if the self absortion is hurting you, she won't change.
But the OP lives in a different country to her mother, so what kind of help could she realistically have offered? And, as is noted so frequently on here, advice about baby care often alters so much between generations that 'advice' across the generations can often be fall askew, or seem well-intentioned but wrong, especially if this is all happening via text and phone. (If I look at the advice my mother was reading in baby books in the early 70s when I was born, it bears very little resemblance to what I was being advised to do when DS was born in 2011.

OP, I sympathise, but I have the opposite problem with my own mother, so hear me out, and it might reconcile you slightly to yours my mother is ONLY interested in me and my siblings when we're down, troubled, ill, unlucky etc. It's the only time she seems engaged and interested. This doesn't just extend to her children, but to all her relationships she's always surrounded herself with the unwell, unfortunate and needy, by choice, because it makes her feel needed and powerful -- but you can literally feel her switch off on the phone if you call her in a good mood, feeling positive about something, or to share a piece of good news.

It's as if her mindset goes 'Oh, well you don't need me, so, if you've got X.' As if, having always thought of herself as an unlucky, unsuccessful person, she doesn't see us as hers unless we mirror the way she's always thought of herself.

I get that you're feeling rejected, but honestly, the other way around (where you're only interesting if you're unwell, dumped, fired, struggling etc) is also pretty unprepossessing.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 05/01/2022 10:56

My DM still adores us all, but she has reached an age (70s) where she only wants to hear good news - no whining and definitely nothing worrying. If I'm struggling with something she will brush it off with a hearty "Don't worry - you'll manage brilliantly as always!" which sounds lovely, but somehow didn't help me get through lockdown homeschool.

As others have said, there has to be an age where the direction of support changes. It doesn't mean they don't love us, just that they don't have endless resources I'm afraid.

CovidForChristmas · 05/01/2022 11:00

Maybe she doesn’t believe in long covid, has she been like this about other illnesses?
I think tolerance decreases with age (from my experience of others). I also think people loose their social skills if they retire/reduce their social contact.
It could be a combination of things. It’s a shame the relationship isn’t as close as it used to be but I think you have to accept this is all she can offer you. It doesn’t sound intentionally hurtful, more like a lack of awareness of how it’s making you feel.

Ponoka7 · 05/01/2022 11:02

I can't advise my DD on her anxiety, I've never had it and have nothing useful to say except perhaps try meds, because she won't meditate etc. Which is what I've used. I never felt lonely, so don't understand it and there's no solution that anyone else can give of its a partner you want. I'm past the age of caring about the tribal shit her and her peer group go on about. A lot of the time they are causing their own issues. So I don't offer advice. I'm encouraging etc, though.
I think when your children opt to live a distance away you have to distance yourself emotionally and come to terms with not seeing your grandchildren. I know women who've emigrated etc. It's difficult getting a balance because what do you want, a Mother whose got nothing else going on and who is interfering?

CagneyNYPD1 · 05/01/2022 11:02

I hear what you are saying @Feeldoublemyage

I was a very independent teenager. But I had to be as my mum was v hands off from about 13. Becoming a mother myself made me reflect on various episodes over the years. I can now see that Mum was always much better at te practical stuff so once I needed less practical support, her job was done.

My dc are older than yours and I have had time to accept the situation. My mum will never be the mum that I would have liked her to be because she just doesn't have those skills. By reducing my expectations of her, I have been able to live more comfortably with the relationship we do have.

But I have learnt from her how to parent very differently from her. I am a far more emotionally available mother to my own dc.

I found this particular book very useful - "The Emotionally Absent Mother" by Jasmin Lee Cori

HeddaGarbled · 05/01/2022 11:02

I think it’s probably a consequence of living in separate countries. I suspect if you saw each other in person regularly, you’d have a closer relationship. Texting and sending gifts when she was ill are a fairly strong signal that you aren’t close.

RoyalFamilyFan · 05/01/2022 11:02

I suspect she has her own issues.
I think sometimes people can forget that their parents may have their own struggles and may be barely coping themselves.For example she may be having a really shit peri-menopause. With some women that can cause depression and overwhelming anxiety.
But it may be things are happening she does not want to discuss with you e,g, her marriage or something else very personal.
If someone was always caring and lovely and then suddenly is not, it nearly always means they are having a shit time.
The difference is when people get very old. People then struggle a lot with energy and tiredness and the roles often switch where the adult children need to put in more effort than the parents.

RoyalFamilyFan · 05/01/2022 11:05

@TheYearOfSmallThings

My DM still adores us all, but she has reached an age (70s) where she only wants to hear good news - no whining and definitely nothing worrying. If I'm struggling with something she will brush it off with a hearty "Don't worry - you'll manage brilliantly as always!" which sounds lovely, but somehow didn't help me get through lockdown homeschool.

As others have said, there has to be an age where the direction of support changes. It doesn't mean they don't love us, just that they don't have endless resources I'm afraid.

My mum is like this. But my dad has dementia. She understandably cant cope with anything else and needs my support, not the other way round.

Our parents if they are good parents are strong for us when we are children and don't let us see how bad some of their struggles are. But you cant expect that of them forever.

Bluebluemoon · 05/01/2022 11:06

I think Alonelonelylonersbadidea post sums it up really well. My eldest dd has flown the nest now and I often struggle to know exactly how much she wants/needs from me anymore. She often doesn't respond to texts/calls until days later and I sometimes struggle to make conversation with her - neither of us are particularly chatty people. It doesn't mean I don't love her more than life itself though.
I still have dc's at home who need my attention and I guess it's sometimes a case of "if she wants or needs me she'll ask" in which case I'd be there in a flash.

But i don't want to be a smothering type or bore her with long phone conversations about nothing. Also a lot of my advice probably sounds dated to her - and there's nothing worse than receiving unsolicited advice!
I've been bringing up my own dc's for years and it's a natural progression to want to start moving away from everything always being about the kids I think.

FlimFlamAndJudy · 05/01/2022 11:06

@cushioncovers

I noticed my mum started caring less after the menopause, I wonder if it's something to do with the reduction in oestrogen and the slight increase in testosterone.
I think this is true. I find it much harder to 'mummy' my adult children since becoming menopausal.

And there's not much new for you or your mum to say about "Long Covid" if it has been going on for two years. I am sure she'd be very supportive if you were suddenly struck down by something critical, though.

Also... so many people on MN say their mothers are unsupportive, then say "I live abroad". How actively supportive can a mother be of a child who has chosen to live abroad? It's hardly giving your mother the message that you want her in your life on a daily or even monthly basis.

anotherBadAvatar · 05/01/2022 11:07

Could’ve written your post OP.

Mum now in her late 60s and seemingly doesn’t give a shit anymore. I’ve been in poor health and suffered a bereavement this year, and the main thread of any messages I’ve had off of her are about her bloody pets. She glosses over any problems and pretend they don’t exist. She makes all the right noises about her grandkids and how much she wants to help, but it never translates into anything tangible. I don’t remember her being like this growing up.

I suppose the only way I am coping is to detach emotionally from her, but it’s really hard to not have her in my corner when I’ve needed her this year.

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