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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

My mother is literally refusing to help full stop!

1000 replies

Mymotherdontdoalot · 17/09/2023 17:30

OK so there is a lot of back story here which I won't go into as it is just so long and winding, but the general gist is that my mother will literally do as little as possible to make life easier, to the point where I received a text the other day saying that it's not to her benefit to help me out!

Anyway the aibu is I'm 32 weeks pregnant with my 5th baby and am due a csection in 6 weeks time, and am getting incredibly stressed out about the general procedure and stress that comes with of being in hospital as I always seem to have complications! Dh is also stresssed aswell! So I have broached my mother who I thought might have been a little bit more supportive of my situation (god knows why she never has been before, usually couldnt give a shit about mine or my families wellbing in general,) being that it's my 4th csection so unsure of how it will pan out, from how long my stay in hospital will be to general health after etc! I stressed the situation to my mum and basically said, when I go in hospital can you come up and look after children obviously so dh is with me during csection and then if all goes well I'll hopefully be out next day, so can you come up and look after kids next day so dh can come and get me and baby in taxi and bring me back home to save dragging 4 extra dcs down the hospital and more added stress (taxis cancelling all the time where I am so a pain especially with 4 extra dc in tow not to mention, size of taxis no guarantee etc!)
I also added that if and it's a big IF I'm in hospital for one extra day after csection could she come then and stay with kids, so dh can come and see that his newborn and me are all OK, bring me things I may need/forgotten, general give me a break from being on a ward with every other person, on little or no sleep, so I can go for a wee in piece have a wash, you know the drill! Well that's when she went batshit stating, she's 60yrs old she not doing all that running around she's going to be tired, all that driving nope she's not doing it what about her husband and the dog (who she can actually leave at home perfectly fine) she's just not doing it, point blank i need to her actual words "get over it"and also why can't I leave my dc5 in the hands of there siblings 14,11,10 (we all know how much 5 year olds don't listen to siblings and decide to get mischievous once no responsible adults are around) when dh comes to pick me up with the baby at discharge, we all know discharge in hospitals can take bloody hours! At this point I did mention her staying over in the spare room to accommodate for driving etc, just for reference she lives 60 miles away but it takes her an hour to get to mine, I'm in london but so is my brother who she's visits very, very regularly and doesn't bat an eyelid to helping him out at all, it's never nope with him, no matter what it is, also when she met her husband he lived in london then and she would travel nearly everyday to see him also! She again still nope not doing it, her words again "it's not beneficial for me to do that" to be quite honest, no words could describe the shear anger and upset that I felt and have been feeling, so I got a bit upset and started crying, to which she replied "why on earth are you crying, for godsake" my dh is livid about the way that she has spoken to me and I am not really sure what to do now because I'm just shocked that she would come out with such a blasé/ nasty attitude towards helping me or lack of I should say!

I have had numerous texts from her since completely ignoring my situation and what I have asked of her and when I have broached the subject again been told I'm a fucker, I need to get a grip and grow up and things along those lines, when I have asked her why are you being so mean to me what exactly have I done, she's told me "if you think I'm being evil, you need help, you need to see a doctor" her exact words!

Also so as not to drip feed mine and my mother's relationship has been strained through the years because of actions on her part which were unreconcilable, but I let it go so as she could have something to do with her grandchildren, but that proved pointless because she seems to pick and choose as and when it suits her when she sees them and also tries to control how they behave around her (she has to be centre of attention all the time) there's alot more but I won't go into it as its just to much!

Me and dh just need some bloody help for that snippet of time when I'm in hospital, it is so much to ask aibu, it's literally like 3 days out of her time (which she spends doing nothing, everyday, she doesn't work never has done!)

Also before I forget her husband has 3 daughters and are roughly the same age as me, and she has rallied around after them no end, one time they all rushed down to hospital because one of his daughters was having extreme period pains (turned out she was jealous of her dad and my mums relationship and just wanted some attention, the same daughter, my mum has gotten up crack of dawn with to do carboot sales with her, and not batted an eyelid, the other daughter is a horder and actually has had my mum round cleaning her catshit off the floor in her house and cleaning in general because she doesn't do it, each time my mum has never batted an eyelid and more than happy to do anything for his daughters! These are just a few of the many things she does for his grown adult children!

OP posts:
PermanentTemporary · 17/09/2023 17:44

It's really horrible but you are battering at a closed door and hurting yourself in the process.

She's not going to help. For whatever reason. There's clearly a lot of history between you. Life might be easier if you find a way to accept that she's never going to be the mum you want to you.

So. Find someone else. Would a friend or relative help, maybe the mum of one if your children's friends? I've known people help out their friends like this. Could you get a paid person to look after your kids? It might even be easier to find someone to be with you in hospital than to find someone to be with the kids, but you never know.

Im sorry you're dealing with this so close to the birth 💐

Changingplace · 17/09/2023 17:45

It’s a shame she won’t help but in reality she’s under no obligation to, what did you do when you had your other kids?

If your brother is local can he help?

Does your husband have family close by? Friends?

meganorks · 17/09/2023 17:45

You really sound like you despise each other so I think YABU to expect her to help now when she never has before.
Asking someone else to look after your 4 children is a massive ask. And having 5 with no support already just seems like complete madness to me. If you are out of action after a c-section you are likely going to need a lot more help than a couple of hours babysitting too.

andrainwillmaketheflowersgrow · 17/09/2023 17:46

Me and dh just need some bloody help for that snippet of time when I'm in hospital, it is so much to ask aibu, it's literally like 3 days out of her time (which she spends doing nothing, everyday, she doesn't work never has done!)

You don't need her help - you want her help because you want DH with you. Unfortunately for you, you chose to have five kids, so DH will have to stay home with your four older children and you'll have to travel home alone.

Choices have consequences. Expecting someone to provide free childcare for four children is a big ask.

Sapphire387 · 17/09/2023 17:46

What kind of mother wouldn't want to help her daughter out in these circumstances? It's a shitty thing to do, of course it is. Apparently we're all responsible for our kids, and shouldn't expect help bringing them up, but the minute they turn 18 that's it, they're on their own? I would never leave one of my daughters in this situation if I could possibly help it. Your mum doesn't sound nice.

Don't understand all these 'she owes you nothing' posts. It's sad that people think this way and don't come from families where people help each other out wherever possible.

Thegoodbadandugly · 17/09/2023 17:46

Or what about if she can't handle looking after 4 kids but op keeps churning them out?

SomeCatFromJapan · 17/09/2023 17:47

Of course it doesn't make you a shitty parent.

It really does.

Shreddedcorn · 17/09/2023 17:47

if you go to the stately homes thread on the relationships board you will find your people, a venting space and advice. 💐🤯

Radiat · 17/09/2023 17:47

You’ve chosen to have more and more kids, and now are struggling to get care for the ones you already have. The onus is on you to find childcare and not rely on your mum, she’s not obliged to travel 60 miles, stay away from her own home etc. Pay for a babysitter if necessary.

OriginalUsername2 · 17/09/2023 17:48

I don’t understand people that have too many children and then expect others to use their time to support this madness!

Cazzovuoi · 17/09/2023 17:48

I stopped reading when you said you’re due your 5th.

Your Mum is not responsible for you and your children. You chose to have all of these kids.

Nothing else in your post can justify that. IMO. YAB very U.

Peakypolly · 17/09/2023 17:48

Looking after 4 kids for an indeterminate amount of time is a lot I'm 10 years younger than your DM, and I would struggle.
The large families I know seem to have brilliant support networks and I assume this is why they can manage more than 3 DC.

therealcookiemonster · 17/09/2023 17:48

oh gosh, your fourth section. I hope the surgeons have spoken to you about contraception/sterilisation because you are at the top end of 'safe' number of sections....

Goldcircle · 17/09/2023 17:48

I always find it really sad when a parent doesnt want to make their grown child’s life easier. Sorry op she sounds awful.

HighFiveOoooooIFeelSoAlive · 17/09/2023 17:49

If you have a rocky history, I wouldn't be asking her for any favours! Can you save up some money and hire a sitter? Or a doula to help you during and after the birth?

andrainwillmaketheflowersgrow · 17/09/2023 17:49

SomeCatFromJapan · 17/09/2023 17:47

Of course it doesn't make you a shitty parent.

It really does.

Nonsense.

OP's mum is not here to provide her with free childcare.

MartinChuzzlewit · 17/09/2023 17:49

To those of you saying OP’s mum is awful or a bitch…

Imagine YOU being 60. You’ve had the kids you chose to have, made your choices, and you have a very different body to what you have now - an older, more tired body. Your retirement is seen as “doing nothing all day” (because older women do nothing interesting unless they’re chasing around after someone younger) and you’re expected to drop everything to look after 4 grandkids, who your adult child (who you have a strained relationship with) has chosen to have despite not having the support for 5 children.

Clearly all women are no one and worth nothing unless they’re doing some sort of mothering task for entitled children.

ginandtonicwithlimes · 17/09/2023 17:50

Sounds like you have too many children to manage. She is allowed to refuse.

henrysugar12 · 17/09/2023 17:50

I wouldn't be wanting to lol after four children for an indeterminate amount of time. Why can't your DH look after his own children?

SomeCatFromJapan · 17/09/2023 17:50

OP's mum is not here to provide her with free childcare.

It's a bit of a one off though, she's giving birth not going on a jolly.

whatsappdoc · 17/09/2023 17:50

It might be the way it was written but it sounded like you were just telling your mother what you needed her to do and then more the following day if required. Maybe her step daughters have a different way of asking? It obviously bothers you that she is helping them out.

ginandtonicwithlimes · 17/09/2023 17:50

therealcookiemonster · 17/09/2023 17:48

oh gosh, your fourth section. I hope the surgeons have spoken to you about contraception/sterilisation because you are at the top end of 'safe' number of sections....

They probably said not to have any more I suspect!

ThePoshUns · 17/09/2023 17:51

You chose to have 5 children, it's not anyone else's responsibility to look after them.

MooseAndSquirrelLoveFlannel · 17/09/2023 17:51

I understand the hurt, my Mum did the same when I was having my 3rd kid. Didn't outright say no, just said she couldn't commit as she might be with her boyfriend. I ended up getting a friend to help, whilst my MIL drove 7 hours from Scotland as soon as she knew I was in labour. I think Mum actually regretted it tbh.

However, that said, I didn't get mad at her about it as it was my choice to have the kids and she was retired, late 50s and not wanted to look after young kids.

So, when you choose to have 5 kids, you need to have a plan for these situations that don't involve depending on others especially those with whom your relationship is rocky at best.

What about DH's family? Or friends?

andrainwillmaketheflowersgrow · 17/09/2023 17:51

Goldcircle · 17/09/2023 17:48

I always find it really sad when a parent doesnt want to make their grown child’s life easier. Sorry op she sounds awful.

Maybe she doesn't feel capable of looking after four children on her own in her sixties for an indeterminate amount of time.

I'm only in my thirties and I wouldn't want to do it.

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