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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

I don't want to keep going to care home..

123 replies

befll · 14/03/2024 17:18

My grandma is 96, she has always been a very selfish person and was never interested in me as a child but favored my older sister who lived with her for about ten years. I was seen as an inconvenience.
So she became more frail and had help at home but we would go twice every single week for about four years to take her a meal, provide company and clean up. Even cleaning up her shit at one point. Then I had a baby..still expected to go even when we wanted to go on family days out, we couldn't as GM wanted a cooked meal in the middle of the day and not evening.
Now she's been in a care home for 18 months and slowly declining but my sister insists we go every week still, even when the care home has had outbreaks of norovirus and scabies and advises people not to go.
I WFH condensed hours 3 days 8-6, have two young kids, two dogs and DH is a teacher so works long hours and sometimes I don't have the time but am guilt tripped into it. DD works term time 4 hours a day, has late teens kids so no pressures there. I hate going, she doesn't remember if anyone has been and generally spends it complaining or talking nonsense.
AIBU to cut back on these visits? I resent both her and my sister every week and just feel rage towards them. I know it seems heartless but other family members have told me if they were me they wouldn't have done any of it but I am terrible with boundaries.

OP posts:
citrinetrilogy · 14/03/2024 18:22

befll · 14/03/2024 17:49

@HouseInTheMiddle
My dad goes at least four times a week, my mum twice. She could easily go with them but chooses to harass me about it.

Just say no. Tell her to stop ordering you about, and that you will be visiting grandma at a time of your choosing, not hers.

MrWilyFoxIsBack · 14/03/2024 18:27

This is bizarre. GM wouldn’t die feel8ng alone because your parents and sister visit.

FGS just tell your sister you’ll be going once every now and then but that’s all.

ancienticecream · 14/03/2024 18:37

befll · 14/03/2024 17:26

@VickyEadieofThigh
Because I'm told I'm unsympathetic and that could be me one day, or alternatively what if something happens to her this week and we haven't gone.

It could be you one day, but hopefully your grandchildren will want to visit as you won't have seen them as an inconvenience their entire lives!

Perfectly fine to say no, I am not going.

takemeawayagain · 14/03/2024 18:46

befll · 14/03/2024 17:52

@Nettleskeins
Yeah I've had to walk out on my kid crying to fit in a visit and leave her with DH who has a pile of marking and prep to do that evening. It is absolutely martyrdom, she feels she has to go every week so that's what we have to do. GM did a lot for her, lent her money etc, but barely saw me except for when she absolutely had to.
My other grandparents have even told me stories of my birthday parties where they bought my sister a present so she didn't feel bad and pretty much ignored me.

You didn't have to walk out on your kid crying though. You chose to because you're as much a martyr as your sister is.
You're allowing your sister to guilt trip and emotionally manipulate you into going. Tell her you were treated very differently by your GM and so you've decided you aren't going anymore. When your sister phones just don't answer.

LifeExperience · 14/03/2024 18:51

Every time you agree to go you are saying that your time and feelings are worthless. Tell her no or stop complaining.

MrsClatterbuck · 14/03/2024 18:55

ancienticecream · 14/03/2024 18:37

It could be you one day, but hopefully your grandchildren will want to visit as you won't have seen them as an inconvenience their entire lives!

Perfectly fine to say no, I am not going.

I don't think the op doesn't want to visit but when it suits her as she has a young family. Visiting should not be at the expense of her kids and her marriage.

Do you think that she was right to ignore her kid crying and go against her mothers instinct and be guilted into visiting by her sister.

Ignore the guilt trips of what if your gran dies. The likely hood is that she will start to deteriorate and family will be notified and called to sit with her. Again that could take a number of days. My dad died in hospital and I with other family sat with him over the weekend. He actually died on the Monday morning with only my sibling there and that was OK.

ancienticecream · 14/03/2024 18:59

MrsClatterbuck · 14/03/2024 18:55

I don't think the op doesn't want to visit but when it suits her as she has a young family. Visiting should not be at the expense of her kids and her marriage.

Do you think that she was right to ignore her kid crying and go against her mothers instinct and be guilted into visiting by her sister.

Ignore the guilt trips of what if your gran dies. The likely hood is that she will start to deteriorate and family will be notified and called to sit with her. Again that could take a number of days. My dad died in hospital and I with other family sat with him over the weekend. He actually died on the Monday morning with only my sibling there and that was OK.

OP doesn't want to leave her family but she also said she hates going and resents them.

moonfacer · 14/03/2024 19:00

befll · 14/03/2024 17:33

@VickyEadieofThigh
I did say this last night, DH had late Dr appointment, DC had not been fed. 5 min phone call on her trying to talk me into it, and then ended up going today in the afternoon as soon as DH home and Gm just talked gibberish

Why are you answering the phone then?

It does sound like you enjoy being a martyr, OP.

Most people would have no trouble with saying no to see a crappy grandma.

MargaretThursday · 14/03/2024 19:07

I don't think you should feel you have to go.

But she had your sister, presumably quite young if you're talking about birthday parties, to live with her for 10 years. There presumably is some back story there, but that's quite a commitment. I don't think posters should be calling the grandmother selfish etc as it could well be that she put her own self to one side to look after a child in difficult circumstances.

I can also see why the sister feels that she owes her a debt that should be returned by visiting her, and maybe assumes that the Op feels the same way.

Heartbreaktuna · 14/03/2024 19:24

She's needs to find out you reap what you sow in this life.

WhereYouLeftIt · 14/03/2024 19:26

"my sister insists we go every week still"

Your sister is the problem, not your grandmother. You need to be far harsher with your sister - FAR harsher.

Learn to hang up the phone when she starts in on you. Or block her number. Just do not engage with her at all. She is not the boss of you.

"AIBU to cut back on these visits? I resent both her and my sister every week and just feel rage towards them. I know it seems heartless but other family members have told me if they were me they wouldn't have done any of it but I am terrible with boundaries."
So the rest of your family basically agree with you - but you still allow your sister to push you around. Why? Serious question. Why do you feel you have to do what your sister tells you to?

Calamitousness · 14/03/2024 19:28

Of course you need to pull back. Visit if and when you want. Your sister is massively unreasonable. She can’t tell you what to do. Tell her she can only control herself and how much she visits. Not you. Stand up for yourself. You are worth having your own voice and opinions.

Frites · 14/03/2024 19:28

She’s got your mum and dad visiting several times a week and your sister.
I think you should concentrate on your immediate family. They are your main responsabilty. If you were my daughter Id be telling you to get on with your life and not feel guilty about it.

LondonJax · 14/03/2024 19:28

Tell you DSis that you're cutting your time to a visit once a fortnight (or whatever suits). If she calls then just say you're busy, just off out, DH isn't home as he knew it wasn't your day to visit or just say no, it's not my week.

My DM was in a care home for the last few years of her life. On her first Christmas we rushed the presents, rushed to the home, took her to her room (very noisy and mum was deaf) to give her our presents and, after an hour or two rushed home to get Christmas dinner on. When we took her back into the residents lounge they were having a sing song and giving out the home's presents to each resident. Mum had missed half of it - everyone in hats, Christmas music playing. That decided me that, the following Christmas we'd visit on Boxing day. More relaxed. Mum said something along the lines of 'we had a lovely day yesterday, did some singing and I got a present. No idea why but it was good of them'. She hadn't even realised it was Christmas Day. So Boxing day visits it was from then on. She had a nice time and we had a relaxing day.

Go when it suits you. She's well looked after by the sounds of things and has company. She's fine.

N0tfinished · 14/03/2024 19:29

Nettleskeins · 14/03/2024 17:38

It's uncomfortable setting a boundary. It's uncomfortable saying no. No one is going to tell you how wonderful you are to say no. But that's the test. Deal with the uncomfortable feelings and value your own judgement not expect others to validate or give you permission.

Great answer x

SecondHandFurniture · 14/03/2024 19:29

She's only doing this to you because she doesn't see why you should "get out" of doing it!

godmum56 · 14/03/2024 19:29

Yup, you know the saying "No is a complete sentence" She can only guilt trip you because you let her.

Maray1967 · 14/03/2024 19:30

You’re your own worst enemy, OP!! Just say NO. Tell your DH to remind you how difficult it is. Put him and your own family before your sister. And remind yourself that she’s bullying you - stand up to her! Turn the phone off if you need to.

Creatureofhabit87 · 14/03/2024 19:30

Just say no and don’t feel bad. Doesn’t sound like she was very nice to you. You’ve made your effort and now you don’t want to anymore so don’t feel obliged. Doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks.

Mistymountain · 14/03/2024 19:30

I would stop going. It sounds soul destroying and she doesn't remember.

godmum56 · 14/03/2024 19:31

Nettleskeins · 14/03/2024 17:38

It's uncomfortable setting a boundary. It's uncomfortable saying no. No one is going to tell you how wonderful you are to say no. But that's the test. Deal with the uncomfortable feelings and value your own judgement not expect others to validate or give you permission.

Isn't that a part of what MN is for? To say to people who set boundaries and take back their lives "WELL DONE"

Bluetrews25 · 14/03/2024 19:34

a - she was never very nice to you
b - she's got dementia so is not that aware of what is going on around her
c - she's got dementia so at some point will not remember you visiting anyway
d - she's in a care home, so she is safe, fed, watered, clean and warm
e - she's in a care home where there will be staff around 24/7
f - your family visit most days of the week so why do you need to go too
g - you've got better things to do, lots of them
h - she's got dementia so she is not the person she used to be, and you weren't even close to the person she used to be

need I go on?
Don't be guilted into going. I give you permission to stay away.

BurntOutGirl · 14/03/2024 19:34

Who is your priority - your DC/DH or your GM?

Whoever it is, start putting them first!

I'm not surprised your DH is pissed off....

Either grow a pair and stop going, or just get on with it.

Peaceandquietandacuppa · 14/03/2024 19:38

Tell her you can’t make it this week. No reason, just can’t make it. When the day before comes and she calls you, ignore her texts and calls. Get back to her the day after and say sorry I was busy.

And repeat.