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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To feel that my parents should care more?

8 replies

Feelabitabandoned123 · 22/07/2024 11:22

Have name-changed for this, and am going to try to be vague with the details as I really don't want this to be identifiable!

I'm a woman in my late-20s, no DC, with two younger siblings. Our parents split up whilst I was at university, which was absolutely the correct decision, although my mum very quickly (one could say concurrently) met somebody else and moved him in very quickly. He is now my stepdad and I have a good relationship with him (which is mildly ironic).

We had quite a tough time growing up, and we have never been a particularly harmonious family. My dad was very self-absorbed with over-working and drinking, and my mum has never been particularly empathetic, but she tried so, so, so hard (until the divorce) to give us a good childhood on a very low income, and for that I am immensely grateful.

Just in the interest of not drip-feeding, one of my siblings became very difficult to manage in their teenage years, and my mum and stepdad eventually tried to get them placed in care. Instead they went to live with my dad in less than ideal circumstances, and went pretty much fully off the rails. Doing OK now, but still.

To come to the present day, I am living reasonably far away (same country), and my other siblings are a bit closer. Since university, I have not had any regular phone contact with either parent. My mum used to visit me once a year, but she's since stopped doing that, and if I ever bring up that I'd like more contact, she claims she "keeps up on social media". I've tried phoning her more etc in the past, but she's not that interested in just having a chat. The situation is pretty much the same with my siblings, one of whom is much more hurt by this than I am, as I have sort of come to accept that this is the sort of relationship she wants us to have. Our contact is now limited to her liking my social media posts, and a few operational exchanges on WhatsApp each year. My sibling has tried MUCH harder to establish more regular contact and is rebuffed.

My mum has, however, since the divorce, visited me, sent me birthday cards and presents etc, and we are invited for a family Christmas meal each year.

My dad is a different story altogether. Since the divorce, I have not once had a birthday or Christmas card from him, nor a present (although I am genuinely not that fussed present-wise). He doesn't really know where I live or what my job is, even though I have told him regularly, and has never been to visit me. We have a couple of phone calls and texts a year, and I make the effort to see him whenever I am in the area he lives. My other siblings see more of him through proximity, but the card etc situation is the same.

Both parents live in one bedroom places, my dad out of necessity, my mum and stepdad mostly, as far as I can tell, so none of us can threaten to move back. Neither parent is particularly interested in our lives, in fact my mum says she takes great care not to be "nosy", and that we can tell her if we want her to know things. We have very, very different political views, but I just choose to not engage with controversial topics.

To maybe complicate things further, I looked up a grandparent's probate out of interest a little while ago and discovered my mum had inherited a reasonably life-changing amount of money. She has not told us this, although did send us a very small (I mean, half my month's wage small) amount as "our inheritance". I don't feel we have any right to this money at all, it is hers. However, my siblings have had major money troubles, and she has helped really minimally. Some years back one ended up with no money at all in a situation that was not their fault, and she sent them a £50 loan.

I appreciate that I am a big girl and independent etc, but is it unreasonable of me to want to have more contact and more... care from my parents? I would just like them to phone us now and again, and to take some interest in our lives. I appreciate I am never going to be close with my parents, but it does feel very unfair when I see other parents with their adult DC who are close and loving, and it sort of feels like our parents are done with us.

OP posts:
FTstepmum · 22/07/2024 12:27

The emotional pain of having parents who don't really care is immense! Especially when you see your peers having good relationships with theirs.

They should care, but they are too self absorbed to do this. Sadly, any change is unlikely.

What you do have are two siblings who are in the same pain. I'd spend more time investing in relationships with each other.

And get some therapy, if you can.

I'm sorry you've had and are still suffering with neglectful parents. If you can take any comfort, it sounds like it's not so uncommon.

I hope you can heal together with your siblings.

Comedycook · 22/07/2024 12:36

This was heartbreaking to read. What callous people they must be.

UltramarineViolet · 22/07/2024 12:46

YANBU to wish for more caring parents and I can completely understand why you feel as you do but the reality is that you cannot change the people they are

Therapy would be a good idea to help you process your feelings

Invest your efforts and emotions in maintaining relationships with your siblings, friends and any other family you have as you are sadly never going to get what you want from your parents

WineMakesTheWorldGoAround · 22/07/2024 12:52

I am now nc with my parents but they were very similar to yours. I would do yourself and them a favour and drop the rope.
Mine are in their 70's now and I have no idea if they have care needs but I take great comfort in the fact that if/when they do need help they won't be getting it from me!

singswithitsfingers · 23/07/2024 00:12

My mum used to visit me once a year, but she's since stopped doing that, and if I ever bring up that I'd like more contact, she claims she "keeps up on social media".

But then you say that post divorce she's visited you, sent cards etc?

So which is it?

MigGirl · 23/07/2024 00:21

My IL'S are like this, I really feel for my husband. His parents are still married, but we see them maybe twice a year and go months without hearing from them. They show no interest in their only grandchildren either. Its taken time bu you just have to let go and build other meaningful relationships in your life instead.

Feelabitabandoned123 · 23/07/2024 11:25

singswithitsfingers · 23/07/2024 00:12

My mum used to visit me once a year, but she's since stopped doing that, and if I ever bring up that I'd like more contact, she claims she "keeps up on social media".

But then you say that post divorce she's visited you, sent cards etc?

So which is it?

Well, both. The past couple of years she has stopped the once a year visit to come to see me, and although she sends cards, she never phones me or sends me regular messages. The fact she sends cards is better than my dad, but it's not the same as regular contact.

Thank you everyone, you are kind. I have had a fair bit of therapy and I'm usually in a fairly good place with accepting this, but things are quite tough at the moment and I think I'm just feeling it more.

OP posts:
ginandheels · 23/07/2024 12:13

@Feelabitabandoned123 I am so sorry. I really feel for you.

It is truly painful to be neglected by parents, at any age and stage but perhaps especially when times are tough.

I sympathise. I understand.

It is their loss, but your pain. Seek out the peaceful path. Write a long letter outlining all of your thoughts and feelings. Seal it and lock it away in a drawer. Do not send it, be civil but detached and put yourself first. As a pp wisely says: Drop the rope. Retain your time and energy and precious resources for you. You have been ill and are healing. Focus on you, spend time with those that value you.

Your parents rely on you and take you for granted. Change the script - quietly but firmly.

Good luck and wishing you well. It isn’t easy and you are juggling a lot right now.

🌻

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