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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

What do you do if your mum is the bully?

15 replies

Boyznmum · 14/03/2022 04:08

Hello,

So I have a question to any mum out there that could shed some light on this topic.
I have a mum and 2 older sisters who are extremely close. I have spent most of my adult life overseas and in different states but recently have moved home with my husband and son. I had our second baby last year, the same time as one of my older sisters. My relationship with my mum has never been super close but the last few years seem more strained then ever. We've had alot of fights between the 4 girls and each time it just gets worse. Since I had my second son my mum has been so brutal in the ways she treat me and now the boys. She won't call, won't text, won't ask about them. The only time I fill her in is when I make the effort to call. She doesn't say a single nice thing about them on social media even if the photo is gorgeous but praises and overly loves my sister's baby. At this point it's so blatantly obvious I don't know how to bring it up or say how I feel without a major blow up, And it doesn't seem like she cares at all how this could be upsetting to me. She's mentioned in the past she wanted a grand daughter badly and my sister had out family's first granddaughter so maybe that is why?? Could it be so petty? I can't understand why someone would be so dismissive of two beautiful boys (and their own daughter) but somehow she is. It's effecting me so badly that I don't even want a relationship anymore with anyone. I feel like she drags my sisters into it and fuels alot of drama between all of us. Last time she visited I saw some very nasty messages about me on her phone to my sister and I was heartbroken. It has kinda changed everything now. What do I do?? Has anyone dealt with a nasty mum or am I just the lucky one lol. Help!

OP posts:
Instawhat · 14/03/2022 06:08

You protect your DC.

You don't let them grow up thinking it's normal to treat you like that. Drop the contact, what would happen if you wait for her to contact you? Why did you move "home"? Were you expecting family support etc?

Loopytiles · 14/03/2022 06:18

Try the ‘Stately Homes’ threads on MN (relationships section) and the reading recommendations.

Set boundaries with your family members, for yourself and your DC.

If you can afford it - get counselling (for you alone) from someone well qualified.

Possiblynotever · 14/03/2022 06:32

Had the same problem by with my DH family. We went abroad for some time, we chose to live a different life. People who stay, feel somehow betrayed. I really cannot explain why, but this has happened to a lot of my acquaintances in the same situation. As if living somewhere else triggers a sort of protection, like an " us versus she".
You are probably more independent than your sisters.
It is a toxic relationship and you have to protect yourself and your DC.
I am truly sorry this has happened with your own mother, but she is activating some control mechanisms that are toxic for you and also for your sisters.
Sever.

Porcupineintherough · 14/03/2022 06:34

What you are describing is not bullying, its total disinterest. Does she bully you also?

The disinterest is hurtful (your kids probably wont care much but it must cut you to the quick). The answer is to lower your expectations and the effort you make, ie disengage. Because you cant male someone care and if there an unpleasant or bullying person you shouldnt be putting your children in their path anyway

Rinatinabina · 14/03/2022 06:38

I’m going to be blunt - she doesn’t care about you, and she may not particularly love you. My mum is similar and tbh I feel so much better being NC. You can’t make someone feel something they don’t but you can stop them from hurting you with their lack of care. I would recommend therapy, it really helped me accept that and after a bit of a grieving process I’m a million times better for it.

CheekyHobson · 14/03/2022 06:50

One of the hardest things to come to terms with when you are dealing with a toxic family member is the 'whys'. Why do they do this, why don't they do that, why would they say something like this, why don't they seem to love me, why am I not good enough for them, why won't they listen to me/see me/hear me. You can drive yourself crazy wondering about it or trying to figure it out in the hope that if you can understand it, you can make things different.

As someone who put literally years of effort into understanding someone like this, with a lot of work you can gain insight into why they do it, but you can't change them. Ultimately all that the insight does is bring you back to the place you started at – the realisation that the two of you think very, very differently and are just very different people.

You'll go through a phase of real disheartenment when you realise that it's genuinely not about you at all. It's about them, and the way they have learned to function in the world to meet their own needs. Nothing you do or say can get them to see you better or treat you better or give more of a shit about something they really don't give a shit about.

Maybe your mother really only does love girls, but if you ask her directly she'll likely deny it and make out like you're the one with the problem. Or maybe she'll admit it and tell you she can't love boys and then make out like you're the one with the problem. And the funny thing is, you are the one with the problem. The problem is that you want someone who doesn't care and maybe can't care to care.

The only way to deal with that problem is to walk away from it. It's not easy to let something like that go, but ultimately it's the only way to live a peaceful life.

Polyanthus2 · 14/03/2022 06:53

You are the black sheep. Your DM probably doesn't know why she makes you the black sheep of the family - it could stem from her being bullied as a child and she is recreating this, letting someone else suffer as she did.
You need to stop contact wiht them. They will affect your DCs self confidence if you let this continue.
Do you really need them. I lived far from family when my DCs were young - it was what it was - no one felt they were deprived and in your case you are being picked on. Stop contact. Make a nicer life away from them all.

Xpologog · 14/03/2022 07:34

You can’t make her behave differently. If you had a friend who behaved like your mother would you remain friends?
Some people are just toxic and your mother, like mine, is one.
If she’s not going to be a positive role model to your boys then drop her, far better than having her drip acid on them.
Block her on SM, don’t engage with any of her nastiness.

WouldIwasShookspeared · 14/03/2022 07:37

You do exactly what you would do if it was anyone else treating you like shit.
You walk away.

You don't have to accept being treated horribly by those who are supposed to love you. We should expect more from our family than randoms not less.

Londondreams1 · 14/03/2022 07:44

NC with my mum. I gave her benefit of the doubt over and over and over again. I did move abroad for a long time and there was a bitter battle before I went. Then upon return I thought we had mended some bridges, until I was rendered completely vulnerable at one point, then she showed her teeth and I saw it was just her , and how she saw me, and because I was female— doesn’t treat all my brothers like this except one of them, and not to the same extent.

Londondreams1 · 14/03/2022 07:46

So to conclude I’m certain the initial move abroad was prompted by her being the way she was, in the sense that if she had been normal I’d have less of an incentive to do that

whatisforteamum · 14/03/2022 07:56

I've had this.My dm bas played all 5 adults dcs against each other for decades.
I tried to be the peacemaker exhausting myself for yrs now I see it is impossible.
My dm wouldn't acknowledge my dc which hurt terribly for many years
Wouldn't visit even though we live in the same town.
Years on my df has died and few of us bother with her.She still has her favourite s and I leave her to it refusing to be emotionally blackmailed by her.
Sorry you are experiencing this.Look after your dcs.

NameGoesHere · 14/03/2022 08:12

Don’t bother with her.

billy1966 · 14/03/2022 09:07

You can't change her or her behaviour.

You need to stop making ANY effort at all.

Your priority is protecting your children.

Don't allow her to spoil these years with your children.

You cannot change her.

Flowers
Boyznmum · 16/03/2022 00:07

Thank you everyone for your help. I just regret not reaching out earlier, it would have saved alot of heartache. My husband has been saying the same things for years but because he's so close to the situation I always found it to be biased. Hearing from strangers has weirdly helped me more. I'm going to focus on my little family and distance myself from the toxic energy. Alot of good advice from all of you and I'm also sorry for the ones who are going through the same situation. Such a shame it has to be this way with family, but we can't pick em can we?! Look after yourselves xx

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