Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU not to intervene

8 replies

ilovebencooper · 11/04/2022 10:23

I live 3 hours away from my mum, she is mid 70s. She's an expert in her field of work and still works very hard and travels oversees as an expert to tough destinations (last one was Bangladesh). She split from my dad when I was small and has no partner.

She also looks after my sisters DS - a lovely but very hard work 2 year old - often for a few days at a time.

Recently she's had surgery and bad covid and she seems completely exhausted to me. But she won't slow down.

The thing is, I feel that it's unhelpful to police people and try and pressure them to work less or help out less with grandkids. But if this is wearing her out and she is becoming too tired and ill to cope then perhaps I should say something.

My sister doesn't want to use her less for childcare but wants her to work less. My mum doesn't want to do less of anything - and doesn't always have good boundaries. But it's her life.

So - should I say / do something? Or just support her choices even if she does seriously over do it. And will I regret it if she becomes seriously ill.

OP posts:
maxelly · 11/04/2022 10:59

Is this really a binary intervene in a heavy handed way/do nothing situation? Can you go down a middle ground of supporting and 'coaching' your mum, I think I'd be asking lots of very neutral but open questions 'how are you feeling after your op Mum', 'have you spoken to DSis about how much childcare you're doing recently', 'how do you think she'll react to that' type questions - ultimately I think trying to dictate anything will go down really badly with both your sister and mother and she sounds perfectly capable of making her own decisions so I think I'd simply be trying to be as supportive of your mum as possible whatever she decides to do - I think the recent surgery/illness gives you a perfect opportunity to 'spoil' her a bit with help with the housework, gardening, maybe take her away for a few days for a rest if you can afford it, that kind of thing?

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 11/04/2022 11:03

Be very wary. I had a similar situation with my Mum and thought my sister was completely taking the piss re: childcare. So I spoke up. My sister hasn't spoken to me since and banned my Mum from seeing her children over Christmas, before realising that it was impossible for her to go back to work without my Mum's help. Sister still won't speak to me years later.

Talk to your Mum and offer to go to her for a couple of days to take care of this kids and give her a break? Or as suggested above, take her away for a couple of days to relax and recharge if she's still not tasing positive for COVID.

ilovebencooper · 11/04/2022 11:52

Thanks for advice

Re nudging and coaching, not really my style as I feel as though I'm being manipulative. I'd rather just say - I think you are doing too much. But then she'll feel got at and pressured as she's hearing that from other members of the family.

Also - if she can't set her own boundaries I don't know how much I can really do.

Re taking away - yes I think that's a great idea, and will sort something for August.

Re helping with kids - no, I have my own and a FT senior job and can't do my sisters
childcare on top.

OP posts:
AryaStarkWolf · 11/04/2022 11:56

Does she complain about how tired she is to you? If so then when she does I would suggest she slows down a bit but if it's something you're just observed yourself and she doesn't want to slow down then I would leave her be

billy1966 · 11/04/2022 12:46

OP,

Stay out of it.

Your sister wants to use her mother, that is between them.

Other family members are saying it, leave them to it.

Offer to take her away for a few days if she'd like it, but stay out of it otherwise.

nearlyspringyay · 11/04/2022 12:47

God stay out of it. Your sisters childcare isn't your responsibility, she needs to step up and pay for it like the vast majority do.

PutinIsAWarCriminal · 11/04/2022 13:01

Your dm sounds amazing. I know a lady a similar age who does overseas volunteering in warn torn countries, works in mental health services and cares for grandchildren. She thrives on it and the day she stops will be the day she dies. Some people just need to be active, mentally and physically.
All you can do is make sure you speak to your dm about boundaries, saying no if she needs to, but if she enjoys what she does then step back.

Ilady · 11/04/2022 14:08

The reality is that your mother is in her mid 70's and from what you said has been working hard for years. Even past retirement age she is still traveling for work for X period of time. On top of this she is minding a 2 year old grandchild. She recently had surgery and bad COVID so no wonder she is tired.

I know you're sister might not be to happy to hear that it's time she got a childminder ect for her child. It's not fair to ask your mother to mind a 2 year old for days at a time at her age. I say to your sister that she needs time to rest and recover from what she has had otherwise she could end up with more health issues. The longer you can keep your mother healthy and independent the better it will be for both of you.
I know several people who have ended up dealing with older parents with health issues or a decline in physical or mental health and its hard going.

I would also encourage your mother to give up the babysitting and work. I say to her that she needs some time to get over her surgery and COVID. Say to her that she has worked hard for years and it's time for her to enjoy her life, and get involved with a few things locally, to spend time with her friends and to go on a few holidays.

If your mother and sister refuse to listen to you I would just leave it. I would tell your sister that since she refuses to listen to you that your not going to mind her child and she can figure out how to care for your mother the next time she gets sick.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread