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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To go LC with parents

6 replies

SpritelySmog · 31/01/2023 23:26

I grew up in a household with pretty intense DV between my parents who are both alcoholics. As an adult, I've been through a shedload of therapy (and a couple of mental breakdowns) and have been able to establish certain boundaries which have helped me maintain a relationship with both my parents (who are still together and are painfully unhappy being so, but they are incapable of separating). They initially pushed back on these boundaries but have begun to respect them because I constantly re-establish them, and in their old age the dynamics of our relationship have changed and they now want the parental relationship with me that I craved as a child but no longer need in my mid-30s.

My mum is one of my best friends when she's sober but I cannot bear her when she drinks her entire personality changes and I find it stressful to even speak to her over the phone - we speak 2-3 times per day during her sober hours and i see her approx 1-2 times per week. Recently, however, I've found that speaking to them or being around them makes me feel really low in mood and stressed, even when they're trying really hard and being lovely with me. I'm pregnant with my first baby and have a loving, stable relationship with my husband, and I am very close to his family and have a decent group of friends.

As I navigate this pregnancy I just want to minimise any source of stress - even if its unintentional. My parents really do love me but they're emotionally unstable people with limited perspective on how they present and the impact they have. I especially love my mum so much but I've found myself minimising the amount we speak and trying to put distance between us. I don't want to hurt her at a point where she is making a lot of effort to do better and be better, but right now I just find my relationship with them both to be too much. Would I BU to go LC until I feel strong enough to take them and all their baggage?

OP posts:
MavisMcMinty · 31/01/2023 23:30

YANBU at all. Have you thought about how/if you will explain it to them?

YetMoreNewBeginnings · 31/01/2023 23:31

When I was pregnant the first time it's when the impact of my childhood and my parents violence and drug/alcohol habits really, really hit me.

Protect yourself and do what you need to.

SpritelySmog · 01/02/2023 10:27

MavisMcMinty · 31/01/2023 23:30

YANBU at all. Have you thought about how/if you will explain it to them?

Thank you. This is what I find hard - they really are trying their best at the moment, so I could imagine them being truly confused if I suddenly reduce contact.

They are also quite frail and have complex disabilities, further complicating matters. They call me for a million tiny reasons and their type of communication is just quite... stressful? They're very full on without realising it, as they're used to conflict and noise, which I now am absolutely averse to.

I think my dad is somewhat aware of my feelings towards him (basically I tolerate him) but I don't think he understands why, as he grew up in a similar home and absolutely adored his parents.

OP posts:
underneaththeash · 01/02/2023 10:28

It’s maybe because you’re speaking to her far too often. 2-3 x a day is ridiculous!

SpritelySmog · 01/02/2023 10:35

I kind of agree. It started during lockdown, where I would go for a daily walk and we would speak over the phone or a good 30-60 mins. The problem is, she has nothing to do and so she follows up with an additional call or two per day. More recently, I haven't been answering, but because of her health I have horrible anxiety and worry she could need me (due to a fall or bad news from a doctors visit or something), so we are both culpable for this. Its hard because I grew up craving a close relationship with my mum, and now we have it but the dynamics aren't hugely healthy.

OP posts:
xogossipgirlxo · 01/02/2023 10:37

underneaththeash · 01/02/2023 10:28

It’s maybe because you’re speaking to her far too often. 2-3 x a day is ridiculous!

I agree. It's too often even for many people who aren't from dysfunctional households.

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