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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not help my mum?

54 replies

stackesontop · 26/12/2024 22:44

I’ve gone back home from Christmas Eve and leaving on Saturday. My mum is hosting a second Christmas Day tomorrow for my other siblings and their children. She didn’t host Christmas.

I love her but she’s extremely lazy. She’s been a housewife for 40 years. Shes now doing a mad tidy up session because her house is brimming with junk. Asking me today to take boxes into the attic and into the garage.

I’ve done the minimum but ultimately she’s had all the time in the world to do this. I have my own house, a stressful job that I’m off this week and just want to chill and eat tbh. I don’t want to clean another and tidy another (capable) adults house because they’ve not bothered.

OP posts:
Undethetree · 27/12/2024 09:28

Do you parents live together? If so, surely this also involves your dad?

Maddy70 · 27/12/2024 09:30

Help your mum. What's wrong with you?

Freeme31 · 27/12/2024 09:31

I wonder if she is lazy or just maybe depressed? Do you have a discussion as to why this was not tidied weeks ago if she knew it was happening? I think there maybe an underlining reason not just laziness

DrMadelineMaxwell · 27/12/2024 09:38

My Mum and sister live together. Mum is getting on, but sister is mid 40s and doesn't work. Hasn't for a few years and is perfectly able bodied, just lazy. They are both lazy when it comes to housework and neither see the need to work. They are living off Mum's (and my late Father's) pension.

The house is a tip. Too much stuff everywhere. Dog hair. (Dog mess frequently too).

We've had years where we offered to help do a pre Christmas clean. And if it's ever been decorated in the last 15 years, it's been me and my other sister (who like me has a full time job and her own home and family) who go and help clean.

Nothing helped as they'd be straight back to their habits.

2 years ago I said no more. Last Christmas and this year we've stayed home and either popped around just for a cuppa and to exchange gifts, or had them here on Boxing day.

letstrythis · 27/12/2024 09:40

I don't think you're being unreasonable - they've invited guests and are relying on you to prepare for them.
How do you feel about staying in the house?
Do they at least have a clean bed made for you?
What's your Dad doing while this is going on?

I think I would stay in a hotel next year and just turn up for the lunch.

Dutchhouse14 · 27/12/2024 09:56

There's clearly bigger issues going in if it's a hoarding issue. Perhaps some unidentified Neurodiversity?
Either way if this has been going on for years it's not going to change overnight.
You sound resentful that DM is a "housewife"
Is your dad doing his bit to keep house clear?
No help right now but would employing a professional to declutter and then a regular cleaner help.
Do you have any siblings that can also muck in and help.
It's nice they want to host but maybe next year see if you can find an Airbnb.
I would help but get it's hard work and you want to relax!! Your dad and any siblings should also help so it's not just all down to you

Beechashwillowmaple · 27/12/2024 09:59

To put a different perspective ...

First, someone who offers to host Christmas for adult children and GC doesn't sound like someone who's lazy to me. It sounds more like someone who could do with a bit of a hand.

Sorry but you sound quite entitled describing yourself as a capable adult person wanting to go home and "chill". If you really want to go home and do nothing op, I suggest you stay in a hotel!

With that attitude, and if you have siblings who share it,, maybe your mum was busy focusing on raising them and you rather than decluttering?

Many peoples homes become cluttered after twenty to thirty years of family life. It's surprising how easily it happens. I am going through my home right now as my adult DC have left home, and trust me, a good 65% of the items that I am getting rid of, are not mine which I didn't buy, want, or use! And yet it's my responsibility to clean, sort, and get rid of them all!

And I don't think it's fair you labelling her "lazy" for not working for forty years because you are judging her by the standards of today and not as they were back then.

It can be harder to maintain high standards at home than it is at work, because it's all a matter of personal willpower, rather than you being alongside people who are working every day. Also, at home, your status as a housewife is pretty low and people don't just obey you like they would a boss! Trying to organise a family is like herding cats sometimes!

I know my home became a lot cleaner and more organised once I starting working three days a week because I responded well to the structure and used my time more effectively. Maybe she had reasons for not working outside of the home that you don't know about?

Also, if your mum is in her sixties and post-menopausal, she may not have had as much energy to host as she did before. Or she may be depressed?

Either way, I think YABVU indeed op!

This answer may be influenced by the fact that some of my adult children pitched up for three festive meals that I laid on over Christmas and not one of them lifted a finger despite my asking everyone to pitch in. Their excuse was that they were tired and stressed by their own jobs or study. None of them are married or have DC! I have put a lot of work in to tidying, cleaning, shopping, laundering, cooking, and clearing up, and now, I'm tired!

Edited to say: I have just read your updates op that weren't included in your opening post. It's apparent that there is a lot more going on than a messy house. Your mum is obviously depressed. Or has an executive function issue. Or feels she has lost autonomy in some way. But my answer is still the same. Why go home to your family home for Christmas and expect not to pitch in, when this situation has obviously been going on for years? If you want a different outcome then why repeat the same pattern? Why not make Christmas happen the way you want it in your own home?

Dweetfidilove · 27/12/2024 10:04

You know she is lazy, you know she's a hoarder and a frantic pre-hosting cleaner. Why have you stayed over ao long? You should've made plans to be out or back home before this event, but while you're there, just help her - for the umpteenth time.
I can imagine how frustrating it is for you though.

YellowGuido · 27/12/2024 10:22

Sounds like you’ve done your bit, OP.
If your siblings are bothered by the mess / need stuff moved to be able to be at your parents’ house - they can pitch in.
Also wondering why your dad doesn’t help in preparation?
I say all this is the child who was (and still is) ALWAYS expected to be the one running myself ragged - I feel for you, OP.

BMW6 · 27/12/2024 10:35

OP your Mum is a classic hoarder and there is absolutely nothing you can do to help her.

I'd limit visits to having a cuppa and a chat, but not meals and no overnight stays.

She's not lazy, she has a MH disorder - Hoarding.

OrwellianTimes · 27/12/2024 10:42

stackesontop · 26/12/2024 22:59

I think I know my mum better than you know her.

Respectfully, you’ve said she’s a hoarder. Are you exaggerating?

If not, then mentally well Nuerotypical people don’t hoard.

You can know someone really well but because that’s been your lived experience you know no different. If she’s a hoarder there’s something else going on.

LadyTiredWinterBottom2 · 27/12/2024 10:46

I wouldn't stay in a dirty cluttered environment.

I would also be annoyed that she's cleaning for other guests but couldn't be bothered to tidy for you.

But she does sound like she needs help. Maybe get a declutterer and cleaner organised, longer term?

RaveToTheGrave1 · 27/12/2024 10:53

stackesontop · 26/12/2024 22:59

I think I know my mum better than you know her.

Why ask then 😂 you know the answer!

UnicornBubble · 31/12/2024 14:20

Your mum and I sound very similar.
I have ADHD and chronic mental health issues, and now being investigated for ME/CFS.
I also have no one to help me with the housework, yet lots of people adding to the mess - go figure!
Writing someone off as lazy is a crappy thing to do, especially when that person put in the effort to raise you. She maybe your mum, and you may think you know her well, but odds on she is trying to keep her struggles from you, maybe she isn’t even admitting them to herself.

Also, why are you only getting annoyed at your Mum when your dad is also living at the house and apparently, not doing any housework? Like you say, you’re out of the house most of the day, doing exams/homework and still manage to keep your house clean, so why can’t your ‘apparently not lazy’ father do the same?

Why do the mums always get the blame, and are also expected to do all the kid-rearing and are PAs to the whole family!

Either be a helpful son/daughter or don’t. But don’t go making her feel bad for something she likely has no control over, and that you likely do not understand.

Lickityspit · 31/12/2024 14:31

There is a massive difference between being lazy and untidy and a hoarder.

Mummyto2boyz · 31/12/2024 14:32

I just do what my mum asks. I don't always like it but if she asks for help I'm not saying no. She never says no to me when I need anything so I return the favour.

Poppyfun1 · 31/12/2024 14:36

Help your mum.

Sossijiz · 31/12/2024 14:56

People are responsible for the state of their own homes. That includes lazy people. The more you do for them, the more they will expect you to do.

GreatGardenstuff · 31/12/2024 15:10

If she does it every year, and you’ve had enough, I’d suggest not going to stay with her for the holidays. If you’re there and accepting her hospitality then you should be helping out.

If you didn’t want to be part of the clear up operation, you should have stayed at home and come for the day like the rest of the family.

candyflossbabe · 31/12/2024 15:10

YANBU

I can’t get over some people telling you to basically just suck it up and ‘help’ your mum 😳

OP I can totally get the difference between helping freshen somewhere up / turning up an hour or two early to do some extra tasks VS a significant house sort!

I bet if you had an hour or two spare to do that kind of work there’s a list a mile long in your own home!

Don't feel (too) guilty about leaving her/them to it - it seems you've already helped a fair amount!

In all honesty, I’d be saying “oh no I’ve accidentally fallen down the last few stairs in my house and have properly thrown my back out” and am sofa ridden for the evening so I can rest and make sure im definitely able to make it tomorrow!”

Incidentally, how much help are the other siblings giving??

Winterskyfall · 31/12/2024 15:29

No doubt this situation has already passed but I just wanted to comment because you were given such a hard time. You absolutely shouldn't have to work lugging boxes about the house that should have been sorted out over the year.

Your mother asking for help with the food, or to give the kitchen a wipe down is another story, that's reasonable. People are often exhausted by the time holiday rolls around and need to rest, not organise the house of someone who doesn't work.

Everlygreen · 31/12/2024 15:41

No don't help her. Sounds like she's more than just lazy. Shifting the junk is actually enabling her because it's helping her hide the problem. Let her guests come in and see the state of the house.

SnoopysHoose · 31/12/2024 15:57

Her routine is that my dad takes her out for breakfast every single day.
seriously? they never eat breakfast at home?
She must be ND or have some issues that she is incapable of keeping the house

Swiftie1878 · 31/12/2024 22:47

stackesontop · 26/12/2024 22:59

I think I know my mum better than you know her.

Wow. You sound lovely!!

YippyKiYay · 31/12/2024 23:29

Winterskyfall · 31/12/2024 15:29

No doubt this situation has already passed but I just wanted to comment because you were given such a hard time. You absolutely shouldn't have to work lugging boxes about the house that should have been sorted out over the year.

Your mother asking for help with the food, or to give the kitchen a wipe down is another story, that's reasonable. People are often exhausted by the time holiday rolls around and need to rest, not organise the house of someone who doesn't work.

Agree.
OP do you have old friends in the area that you could 'pop out to catch up with' next time you get asked to hide the clutter? Living with a hoarder must be exhausting for your dad as well. Hopefully you enjoyed your Xmas and have some ideas for managing the situation next year.
Happy new year! 🎊

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