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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:
OriginalUsername2 · 21/06/2024 17:45

Maybe as the oldest you can give them all a bit of a telling off? They might need jolting out of their selfishness.

OhmygodDont · 21/06/2024 17:46

Could you not move in with her for the few weeks?

I mean they might be being selfish but there’s always the siblings who do more or the sibling who feels helping a friend say pair. As a prior agreement over purely drive someone somewhere is the more important prearranged activity.

Maybe your mum was too good of a mum to them and it’s been fully taken for granted. Maybe there was issues you don’t know about between them and your mum.

maybe they are shits.

PinkArt · 21/06/2024 17:46

YANBU to hope that they would help but YABU to expect it. You, or your mum, don't have any rights over other people's time. If they don't want to help they are perfectly entitiled not to.
So try to reframe it now. They aren't going to help - are you or your mum willing or able to make the travel to yours work without them. If so, just crack on with the plan and don't think about them. If not then if you're happy to, work out a new plan with her.

OhmygodDont · 21/06/2024 17:46

OriginalUsername2 · 21/06/2024 17:45

Maybe as the oldest you can give them all a bit of a telling off? They might need jolting out of their selfishness.

Can’t say my sibling telling me off would make me help. I’d just click block after telling them to fuck off 🤣 tho I am the oldest.

itsmylife7 · 21/06/2024 17:47

So the two siblings who had a "not as great upbringing " versus the other three who had it all..... and they won't support their Mum.

Is your Mum aware of this fact OP and if so, what's her reaction?

Aquamarine1029 · 21/06/2024 17:48

Sorry if I missed it, but why can't you go to hers for the three weeks?

NappyBag · 21/06/2024 17:48

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.

Thank you. She is in her early 60s and I'm also worried about the car journey but can't think of an alternative with my siblings who live in the same town not being able to commit to helping. Pps have suggested talking to the hospital to see what support is available so I'm definitely going to take their advice.

I can't afford the taxi (can just about afford our new mortgage deal 😩), and my mum is on SSP.

I can't stay with her as I work full time and don't have enough holiday left for the year & she lives in a studio apartment with one bed. Not to mention, with my autism I would really struggle with a change that huge and having no privacy. I want to help but staying at hers would be at a huge detriment to my own well-being.

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 21/06/2024 17:49

NappyBag · 21/06/2024 17:48

Thank you. She is in her early 60s and I'm also worried about the car journey but can't think of an alternative with my siblings who live in the same town not being able to commit to helping. Pps have suggested talking to the hospital to see what support is available so I'm definitely going to take their advice.

I can't afford the taxi (can just about afford our new mortgage deal 😩), and my mum is on SSP.

I can't stay with her as I work full time and don't have enough holiday left for the year & she lives in a studio apartment with one bed. Not to mention, with my autism I would really struggle with a change that huge and having no privacy. I want to help but staying at hers would be at a huge detriment to my own well-being.

Then you can't do it. It simply will not work. Your mother will have to get help elsewhere.

NappyBag · 21/06/2024 17:50

Aquamarine1029 · 21/06/2024 17:48

Sorry if I missed it, but why can't you go to hers for the three weeks?

Just responded to this on another post but I have a full-time job that requires me to be on site. I also have autism and would really struggle to share such a small space long term.

OP posts:
ButWhatAboutTheBees · 21/06/2024 17:51

So you can give all the excuses for not being able to move in with her but they can't for why they won't drive a 3 hour round journey, maybe staying overnight at yours?

OhmygodDont · 21/06/2024 17:51

If your working full time what actual help will you be to your mother. Not to be rude but if she needs help she needs more than dinner and putting to bed.

Callipygion · 21/06/2024 17:52

Ask at her doctors surgery if there’s any patient transfer services. I am sure ours runs a volunteer service where people will take or collect you for medical appointments, even distant ones. I think you just pay a fee to cover the mileage.

Aquamarine1029 · 21/06/2024 17:52

OhmygodDont · 21/06/2024 17:51

If your working full time what actual help will you be to your mother. Not to be rude but if she needs help she needs more than dinner and putting to bed.

Exactly. If you have to work full-time you cannot care for your mother, even if you work from home. She will have to find another solution.

ButWhatAboutTheBees · 21/06/2024 17:54

And I agree, if you work full time and struggle with changes and being with others in a small space... you wouldn't be that much help anyway

She won't be able to do basic activities which means she's going to need a lot of care

vanimal · 21/06/2024 17:55

Are the hospital to arrange safe travel for her to be transported to your house?

NappyBag · 21/06/2024 17:57

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?

I'm not trying to guilt anyone, I just asked if anyone could drop mum to mine. I came on here for advice before saying anything at all to see what other options there were to avoid precisely that. However, I can't help feeling bad for my mum.

She hasn't come to me with a plan as such. My mum has had pretty bad anxiety since going through menopause and is just really worried and can barely string a sentence together. I don't know much myself about what support NHS can offer, but have had some great advice on here so will look into that.

This is all new to me and just trying to be as reassuring and supportive to my mum as possible.

OP posts:
Cuppateatea · 21/06/2024 17:57

Hospital are expected to offer support through reablement team if a patient, who lives alone needs support to enable them to return home after major surgery or illness. It’s free for 6 weeks and is not means tested. Don’t tell the hospital she’s going to live with you. My Mum had this and carers went in 3 times a day and then slowly went down to 2 then once an day until she had recovered.

Indianajet · 21/06/2024 17:58

I find this very sad. I am 69, live alone (widow) and am on the list for a hip replacement. I have five sons, and they, and their wives, have already told me not to worry, they will make sure I have all the help I need and my dogs are looked after for me. I can't believe some of the replies here, saying she will have to be responsible for herself as she is an adult. Where would we be if everyone had that attitude 🤔

NappyBag · 21/06/2024 17:58

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!!!

Edited

Well she doesn't have two pennies to rub together, hence the predicament so... 😅

OP posts:
Tracey123097 · 21/06/2024 17:59

Wow op. If my sister offered to have my mum and look after her all that time and all I had to was drive her ... I'd be getting in my car and thanking my lucky stars you exist. Three hours or not... I'd be grateful for you.

Davros · 21/06/2024 17:59

www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/care-after-a-hospital-stay/care-after-illness-or-hospital-discharge-reablement/

Scroll down to "when you can get free short term care and how to get it"

Ponderingwindow · 21/06/2024 18:01

people have legitimate barriers to providing care to their parents. they could just be selfish, but equally, they may have valid reasons for not stepping up. You don’t actually know every detail of their lives or their full relationship with the parent.

CaribouCarafe · 21/06/2024 18:02

ButWhatAboutTheBees · 21/06/2024 17:51

So you can give all the excuses for not being able to move in with her but they can't for why they won't drive a 3 hour round journey, maybe staying overnight at yours?

How is driving someone on a 3 hour round trip as a once-off even remotely comparable to living with and looking after your mum for 3 weeks (in a 1 bed studio flat of all things!)?

randomusernam · 21/06/2024 18:02

If it was me I'd stick them all in a group chat and shame them. I'd say what you have here, that you are willing to do most the work in caring for your mother and just asking for a little help. That she raised you and sacrificed so much for them and now they can't even do a few hours driving compared to weeks of round the clock care. Oh and for the sibling who claims she doesn't need 24/7 care I'd ask him when he got him medical licence and how he think he knows more than doctors advice.

Aquamarine1029 · 21/06/2024 18:03

Indianajet · 21/06/2024 17:58

I find this very sad. I am 69, live alone (widow) and am on the list for a hip replacement. I have five sons, and they, and their wives, have already told me not to worry, they will make sure I have all the help I need and my dogs are looked after for me. I can't believe some of the replies here, saying she will have to be responsible for herself as she is an adult. Where would we be if everyone had that attitude 🤔

I think the odds are much more likely that all of these siblings have very valid reasons for not wanting, or feeling obligated, to help their mother.