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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:
Gingernan · 17/09/2023 21:28

You don't paint a very nice picture of her, would be interesting to hear her side.
5 children is a lot to take of when you are getting older. Even for a short while. And you want 3 days...your children are probably delightful but few older people, even grandparents are that enamoured .Get your husband to help out, he is the other parent!
I'm considerably older than 60 and do help out with the grandchildren but there are only 2.Thats plenty!
Many years ago I was working in an office and congratulated an older colleague on the birth of her daughters 3rd child. She said she hoped there wouldn't be any more as helping out and presents were costing her a fortune and she kept having to take time off work to help, really employers are not obliged to be understanding to that extent.
My dad and inlaws loved my 3 but weren't very hands on, and I thought that was perfectly fine, they had brought up their own families and were enjoying their later years.

MartinChuzzlewit · 17/09/2023 21:28

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Lighten up.

The sOmEBoDyS ChiLd narrative you’ve chosen isn’t a bomb drop moment you think it is. I’m really not sure what your point is. Because on the other end of the scale, Hitler was somebody’s child.

I don’ hate children or people but I feel for mothers of adult children who are expected to drop everything for their kid’s poor choices

MartinChuzzlewit · 17/09/2023 21:28

@Ikeepmybumcheekshidden i have also not used the term lazy on this thread. You’re maybe confusing me with someone else

allmyliesaretrue · 17/09/2023 21:29

CrissieB · 17/09/2023 21:23

It's very sad if your mother wants to have nothing to do with her grandchildren. You haven't said if she has work commitments, at 60 I'm surprised she doesn't have a full time job or at least a part time job.
Question of travel and dog if that was the real problem, would it be better for her if your husband drove the chidren to her place? Even the older children would be granted a few days off school if it were a medical emergency.
Are your husband's parents still alive?

OP said her mother has never worked.

I work FT at the same age and think she's a lazy cow, but there you go.

What do you expect from a pig, but a grunt.

MartinChuzzlewit · 17/09/2023 21:29

crumblingschools · 17/09/2023 20:56

Is it safe to have so many c-sections?

No.

And it’s the OP’s mum’s fault 🤣

Lahdedahiam · 17/09/2023 21:31

etherealfae · 17/09/2023 21:23

some horrible comments on here wtf, your mom sounds like a piece of work and i'm sorry you don't have the support from here you obviously crave :(

Do you think that's why she's on child 5??

Do you not think she needs advice to have therapy?

MartinChuzzlewit · 17/09/2023 21:31

PyongyangKipperbang · 17/09/2023 20:57

I am salty about it, but thats because I have had it said to me on mn words to the effect of I only had loads of kids because I am too lazy to work. This was at a time when I was doing literally everything on my own as my abusive ex had finally been gotten rid of and I was working ridiculous hours just to keep a roof over our heads....and no I didnt have family helping out! They would have if I had asked but I didnt ask. Also that it must be nice to get that much in benefits, that I wouldnt have had them after the benefit 2 kids cap, that I need to learn about contraception...... you name it. Oh and lots of "probably" bandied about, as above. That I probably have a massive council house, that I probably have them looking after each other.....lots of assumptions based on no knowledge whatsoever.

this is a sore subject for me because there its always people TELLING me that I am not giving the kids what they need because the person doing the telling couldnt do it. If they can tell me that I am shit parent, why I cant I tell them that they are wrong? I have been TOLD on this thread that I havent given my kids what they need. I disagree yet still I am shot down because I had the temerity to have more kids than they could cope with themselves.

You’re absolutely right, I could never give 6 kids everything they need emotionally mentally and financially

But neither can you (maybe you can financially I don’t know) and you won’t have. Just own it!

Hibiscrubbed · 17/09/2023 21:31

Quite frankly, in her shoes I would be baffled by the number of kids you are having and wouldn't be helping either.

Ugh. This place.

GirlOfTudor · 17/09/2023 21:31

I haven't read the whole post, but it's your choice to have 5 children. No one else's. You and your husband conceived number 5 whilst knowing you had previous complications and knowing it would be a c section. Your mum isn't obliged to help you. I'm sorry to sound harsh, but you need to figure out a plan ahead of time to ensure that your kids are taken care of.

Lorelaigilless · 17/09/2023 21:32

You chose to have 5 children not her.

Why can’t the older 3 stay home the next day and just the 5 year old comes to get you home?

For the section itself you need a professional babysitter.

MartinChuzzlewit · 17/09/2023 21:32

ButterCrackers · 17/09/2023 20:58

I agree. I think that it’s jealousy really. The hostility is from people being jealous of the op and that she has a big family. I wish her all the best. It’s not easy but worth the intensive work that parenting a big family requires.

Jealous of 5 kids yeah sure 😂

It’s such a fucking lazy trope to accuse women who don’t applaud every other woman’s choices that they’re ‘jealous’ - sexism at its finest. Men are never accused of being jealous

Lahdedahiam · 17/09/2023 21:32

Hibiscrubbed · 17/09/2023 21:31

Quite frankly, in her shoes I would be baffled by the number of kids you are having and wouldn't be helping either.

Ugh. This place.

It it is baffling to be taking a medical risk for more children?

Do you not agree?

MartinChuzzlewit · 17/09/2023 21:33

zmq3Zm96uijcs2c · 17/09/2023 20:59

Every pregnancy carries a risk of death. As does driving a car, crossing a road, eating while alone. So you have a problem with the size of OP’s family and you think she should go through it with no support because she made a choice you didn’t. Let’s get out the bell and start chanting “shame”, shall we?

Some choices are higher risk though. I can’t imagine anyone would willingly enter into a very high risk pregnancy and birth with the potential of leaving 4 kids behind

MartinChuzzlewit · 17/09/2023 21:34

allmyliesaretrue · 17/09/2023 21:00

Read your own post!! That c/s always happen in the morning!! They don't!

….I never said they did. Maybe YOU should read my posts?

etherealfae · 17/09/2023 21:34

@Lahdedahiam Why does having 5 kids means she needs therapy? maybe she wants a big family? Bit of a weird thing to say.

MartinChuzzlewit · 17/09/2023 21:35

zmq3Zm96uijcs2c · 17/09/2023 21:02

She has said no, she’s not being held in indentured servitude. She chose to say no in a particularly cruel way and then doubled down with abusive messages. Just like her daughter is living with the consequences of her choices, so must the mother. For me, the consequence would be that I would never speak to her or help her in any way again.

Well I’d argue that turning on the waterworks and having a husband who kicks off doesnt exactly warrant being super nice back to someone. Obviously it’s escalated but I’m taking with a pinch of salt the OP’s claims that she did nothing to provoke the escalation.

ChewbaccasMrs · 17/09/2023 21:35

Remember this OP!

Remember this so if she asks for help in the future she can look to your brother(who I'm guessing is the golden child)her husband or her husband's children, don't do sod all for them!

Do you have any family on your DH's side that could help or friends that would help?

If it would be too much for one person to have all 4DC do you have enough people that could help by looking after 1 child each?

I think for you to get things sorted you need to know if you're husband can be in with you whilst you have your c section or not that way it would give you more of an idea of how much help/time you'll need for your 4 other DC,also with your oldest being 14 wouldn't he be okay to be at home on his own during the day?

I hope your able to get some help in place and after this and what you've said about your mum's attitude to your DC I really wouldn't be worrying about your children having a relationship with her in the future.

allmyliesaretrue · 17/09/2023 21:35

MartinChuzzlewit · 17/09/2023 21:34

….I never said they did. Maybe YOU should read my posts?

You quite literally did state your little anecdote that your mates' ELCS were all in the morning. Are you sober?

CrissieB · 17/09/2023 21:37

I hope that one day someone will tell me what OP is short for.

allmyliesaretrue · 17/09/2023 21:38

The point is, the OP is essentially going to struggle without her mother's support, or so it seems. Support that was never forthcoming in the first place and never was going to.

Sometimes we need to apply a bit of commonsense. How is the OP going to manage if god forbid, her marriage ends, or her husband become ill, or worse? I presume he's got superwatertight life/health insurance. I can't imagine a mum of 5 working FT/paying into pension, with so many children, unless she has a nanny - and if she did have a nanny, then said nanny could have taken charge...

CeliaLia · 17/09/2023 21:38

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.

I am so glad you said this as this is exactly how I feel! I can't imagine not wanting to help my child when he is in need.

Clearly, your relationship with your mum OP is not a very healthy one and there obviously is a massive backstory but just so you know, it is not normal. My grandma was there for my mum, my mum was there for me and I will always be there for my son. Just can't imagine it any other way.

Hope you manage to sort adequate care for your kids. It's shit when you don't have the village you deserve. Hugs x

allmyliesaretrue · 17/09/2023 21:39

CrissieB · 17/09/2023 21:37

I hope that one day someone will tell me what OP is short for.

That red letter day is today - it's Original Poster, ie the creator of the thread!

PyongyangKipperbang · 17/09/2023 21:41

I am musing why some people care sooooo much about others choice of family size.

And why they assume that their view is the only correct one and that those that choose to have larger families, or end up with large families due to circumstances, are automatically deserving of a grilling/telling off!

Oh and just asked 17 yr old DS.. summarising as he was very annoyed at the implication his upbringing was shit."physical needs? Well we were all clean and fed and clothed and housed so [shrug]. Finances, yes we did go without some things like posh holidays but I'm not bothered, we had loads of fun. Emotional neglect? Tell them to fuck off...." His words, not mine.

ButterCrackers · 17/09/2023 21:41

MartinChuzzlewit · 17/09/2023 21:32

Jealous of 5 kids yeah sure 😂

It’s such a fucking lazy trope to accuse women who don’t applaud every other woman’s choices that they’re ‘jealous’ - sexism at its finest. Men are never accused of being jealous

How is it sexism? I said people… that includes men. People are jealous of big families.

PyongyangKipperbang · 17/09/2023 21:41

That is to say "tell them to fuck off" were his words

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