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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

For expecting us to call pull together in this crisis?

278 replies

NappyBag · 21/06/2024 17:11

My mum recently found out that she needs major surgery where she will need live-in support for a number of weeks during recovery. She lives alone and isn't in a relationship- basically her only support network is her 5 children.

I live 1.5 hours drive from my mum, but do not have a drivers license due to a chronic illness. I have stepped up and said that I can support mum by letting her move in with me during the weeks she is recovering from surgery, but I would need one of my siblings to drive her to me and collect her at the end of the 3 weeks.

However, they are all making excuses and saying they are busy and don't have time to give her a lift. I understand a 3 hour round trip is a really long drive, but she is our mother. I have offered to cook them a meal and even to stay overnight if this helps, but they have said it's not going to work for them. Most of the excuses are more around how it would be inconvenient for them, rather than genuinely not being able to help. I would give examples but feel this would be outing.

My partner drives, but already has a 2 hour minimum commute every day so adding a 3 hour round trip to this feels like a huge ask. He also has a strict 50:50 custody schedule with his ex where he needs to pick up the kids up as soon as he finishes work on his nights so even if he was willing, this wouldn't be feasible. Not to mention, my mum has 5 children and I don't see why it should be all on me to ensure our mother is cared for, let alone my partner.

Despite the doctor referring to it as major surgery and saying my mum will need live in care for several weeks, one of my siblings has said 'it's not that bad and that surely she can just live unassisted'. They also said that that my mum is acting really entitled to expect her kids to give her lifts and look after her when it's her own decision to live alone. Whilst I understand that we all have our own lives and responsibilities, I do think she's our mother who raised us all and sacrificed a lot for us. I am willing to do the lion's share of caring for her, but it doesn't change the fact that I can't drive. I need their help and feel really stressed and frustrated at the lack of empathy and that they won't do their bit.

AIBU for thinking we should all be pulling together and splitting the burden according to what each of us are able to do? Or is it too much for a mum to expect her kids to be there for her in her hour of need? I am autistic and don't always understand the nuances of these situations.

OP posts:
WhatNoRaisins · 21/06/2024 17:28

That's a fair point about the car journey, do they think it's a good idea for her to have such a long journey after major surgery?

Beautiful3 · 21/06/2024 17:29

Honestly I find that shocking! Of course they all should help out. Could she tell the hospital she has no help, and see what she could do?

NappyBag · 21/06/2024 17:31

Just to clarify, my mum was a blinding parent to her three youngest children. It was actually me and the eldest where she made the majority of the mistakes. But it's the three younger siblings who are the most dismissive of the situation. We all have different challenges in our lives but some of the excuses I have heard makes me wonder if they have their priorities right. E.g. one example was they were painting a friend's bedroom.

OP posts:
Bestyearever2024 · 21/06/2024 17:31

She can't have major surgery and then a 3 hour drive. You haven't thought this through

TheDutchHouse · 21/06/2024 17:31

As an aside to whether or not your siblings should help , have you asked about patient transport. I'm sure the hospital would provide this rather than alternatively keeping her in a hospital bed for the three weeks.

TooLateForRoses · 21/06/2024 17:31

WhatNoRaisins · 21/06/2024 17:13

It's hard to say OP. We don't know what pressures they have in their own lives so it's hard to make a judgement. I think in this situation you have to do what you can and accept what others are willing to do.

This

NappyBag · 21/06/2024 17:34

Sirzy · 21/06/2024 17:23

Also if it’s such major surgery is travelling 1.5 hours in a car straight after really an option?

We have considered this and it's her only option as my other siblings can't care for her. I'm not sure about what care she could get through NHS.

OP posts:
cestlavielife · 21/06/2024 17:34

You can get a taxi to hers at beginning and end
Or public transport
Or she can ask hospital social worker to refer for local home care visits
Or discharge to rehab place

Sirzy · 21/06/2024 17:35

NappyBag · 21/06/2024 17:34

We have considered this and it's her only option as my other siblings can't care for her. I'm not sure about what care she could get through NHS.

You say to the hospital that you can’t do it and a package will be put in place.

NappyBag · 21/06/2024 17:35

Davros · 21/06/2024 17:24

Isn't she entitled to six weeks reenablement? It's part of NHS service. You need to lookn into this, it will be much better for her

Thank you, I will look into this 🙂 I was hoping there would be additional support outside of the family. It's just a shame we can't make it work.

OP posts:
AmelieTaylor · 21/06/2024 17:36

You sound lovely. your siblings sound dreadful, but we don't know why they're saying 'no'.

id be bringing her & doing what I could to help you. Having some meals/shopping delivered. Coming for a weekend to help if that's workable.

How old is your Mum? & as others have said, is she going to be ok with the journey? Being in a car is a lot more painful/exhausting than you realise.

would she be able to be brought by taxi?

I presume you (or one of them) going to stay
With her isn't an option??

it can be a bit scary being home alone after an operation, depending on what you've had done, how mobile you are and what medication you're on.

SwimmingSnake · 21/06/2024 17:36

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Bestyearever2024 · 21/06/2024 17:36

NappyBag · 21/06/2024 17:34

We have considered this and it's her only option as my other siblings can't care for her. I'm not sure about what care she could get through NHS.

It's not her only option

You need to speak to the hospital about care post op in a care home or with carers coming to her home

Shed be much better recuperating for the first week , at least, in her own home

What op is it?

nokidshere · 21/06/2024 17:37

My mum has 6 children. All of our lives she might have only had one although she vehemently disputes this, as does the 'favoured' one. She recently had a bad fall and had to be in a care facility for some weeks. None of us live close and none of us were prepared to do anything more than send flowers and chat to her regularly on FaceTime.

I can see how this would look to others but it is what it is. Personally I feel that even the moral support is more than she deserves in the circumstances.

You cannot insist on anyone's involvement and you have to decide what level of support you personally are willing to give.

Primefungus · 21/06/2024 17:37

You haven't answered about what she plans to do about it. Has she told you to sort it all out? Does she want you to? Why isn't she able to find out about care for herself?

If you don't know what care is available then why don't you find out before trying to guilt family into doing it?

allthemiddlechildrenoftheworld · 21/06/2024 17:37

@NappyBag I bet they will all be turning up for the reading of the will though, when the time comes!!!

NappyBag · 21/06/2024 17:38

aveenobambino · 21/06/2024 17:26

What's the surgery?

I feel like saying what it is could be outing, sorry. But it would make it impossible for her to do day to day activities safely.

OP posts:
Bestyearever2024 · 21/06/2024 17:39

NappyBag · 21/06/2024 17:38

I feel like saying what it is could be outing, sorry. But it would make it impossible for her to do day to day activities safely.

OK.... so what is Mums plan? What does she think? How old is she?

Workoutinthepark · 21/06/2024 17:39

I think there's a reason they need a distance from her OP, it might seem like the mistakes were made with you and your older siblings only, but there might be a lot you don't know that affected the other you get ones too and they're probably at an age where they'd never disclose this to you.

MooseBeTimeForSnow · 21/06/2024 17:39

Bestyearever2024 · 21/06/2024 17:31

She can't have major surgery and then a 3 hour drive. You haven't thought this through

Eh? I had a 4.5 hour drive a day after a full hip replacement, from the hospital in the nearest city to my home.

longdistanceclaraclara · 21/06/2024 17:39

How can surgery be outing?

3 hours round trip isn't a long drive. What's the back story?

NappyBag · 21/06/2024 17:40

Bestyearever2024 · 21/06/2024 17:31

She can't have major surgery and then a 3 hour drive. You haven't thought this through

It would be 1.5 hours for her, the other 1.5 hours would be them driving back to the town they love in with her. I know it's going to be really uncomfortable but it looks like our only option unless we can get support from NHS.

OP posts:
Allthegoodnamesaregone1 · 21/06/2024 17:40

NappyBag · 21/06/2024 17:38

I feel like saying what it is could be outing, sorry. But it would make it impossible for her to do day to day activities safely.

Then its impossible for her to sit in a car for 3 hours.

Didimum · 21/06/2024 17:41

On this face of it your siblings are being really shit. It’s one return trip. My mother lives 1.5hrs away and I visit every few weeks.

Ponoka7 · 21/06/2024 17:44

My Sister is having spinal surgery this year. There us no-one who can care for her and none of our houses are suitable, bathroom etc wise. She has told them this and they are making plans for her to stay on a post surgical/rehab type ward.