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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Selfish parent.

90 replies

twennysum · 30/04/2025 21:52

Hey guys. This is a long one but honestly I just need to get everything out and I don’t want to be judged by my friends for feeling this way.

My mum is currently going through divorce for almost 3 years now because her and my dad are disagreeing heavily during the financial dispute. I won’t go into too much details about the divorce but I feel like since the divorce started there’s been an unhealthy reliance on me as her daughter. I’m in my early twenties (not older than 24), I graduated in 2023 and luckily I’ve been working a full time job for just over a year now. However during this time she has asked me to take out two loans amounting to almost £20,000 so she can pay for her divorce, lawyers and investigators. I have to pay £420 a month back and Because I’m still living at home things are “okay” but I’m only on NHS Band 3!! And I really want to move out soon And save but with the cost of living and salaries not being the best I don’t even know how I’d survive. £420 is essentially bills and grocery money for the month but now that £420 I would have used for bills is going towards a loan that I am not benefiting from whatsoever. Let’s also add the fact that she doesn’t work and refused to get a job all this time because she wants to get as much money from my dad as she can and if she works it will ruin it for her (her words not mine). So as-well as having this loan she will also ask me for money as-well occasionally for groceries etc. I don’t mind giving her money but honestly I work HARD for my money. And she refuses to get a job for selfish reasons. I hate my current job but feel so stuck due to my financial situation. I feel pressured to do overtime to see if I can make up that money but I’m so tired. We also share a car which is super inconvenient sometimes - bear in mind this is MY car aswell and she uses it. Again I don’t mind her using my car but also it would be better if she actually worked and saved up her own money so she could get her own car. Over the years I have felt myself becoming so numb and resentful of the situations she’s put me in. It feels like the parent child dynamic has switched - I’m the parent and she’s the child. It’s really bad and it’s affecting me mentally and emotionally. I can barely look at her anymore. Her presence irritates me. I lock myself in my room. When I hear her room door open and I know she’s coming upstairs sometimes il just pretend to be asleep so she won’t disturb me. I’m embarrassed having to do that at my age. She’ll come into my room every morning. Sometimes wake me up from sleep and ask me to help her sort and print her divorce documents. Just overall idk I feel just SO numb and pissed off. Like I’m supposed to be focused on building my own future and career and establishing myself to be a fully independent adult but it seems like all she wants me to do is be nose deep in her divorce matter. Not to mention she can be really rude, entitled and demanding sometimes aswell which makes the whole thing worse. I reckon if she wasn’t taking her anger out on me I might not feel as pissed off. And she wonders why I don’t tell her anything nowadays or why I don’t speak to her much. I have nothing to say anymore. She needs to get her own life.

Anyways I suppose there’s nothing I can do I just really needed to get this out of my system. Like surely this isn’t normal. Sometimes I feel bad for feeling this way but honestly this has been happening for a long time. Maybe someone out there can relate to my situation in a way. Idk. But thank you.

OP posts:
Rocknrollstar · 30/04/2025 22:20

Sorry - but why are you paying for the divorce? You took out the loan on her behalf but she should be paying you back. You really shouldn’t be keeping her. If she has no money she should apply for benefits. She is taking advantage of you big time.

Raininginparadise2 · 01/05/2025 08:56

So sorry OP but she is bang out of order. Refuse to help her with any more money. Say you've been refused any more loans/ overdrafts due to your credit rating or something like that. As soon as you can afford to you need to move out in a room in a house share. She needs to be left to it.

curious79 · 01/05/2025 08:59

Your mother is incredibly toxic and the way she has dragged you into her divorce is unforgivable. I don’t know why she isn’t working. A judge will expect her to work. Is she labouring under the misapprehension that she will be able ‘to live as she’s become accustomed to’? If so, she’s getting very bad advice. The rules these days are reasonable needs. And certainly not any kind of luxurious lady of leisureset up.

So she wants to suck your dad dry but also you in the process? What a ghastly woman.

curious79 · 01/05/2025 09:00

I hope she understands she needs to pay you back any interest too?

MissUltraViolet · 01/05/2025 09:01

Why on earth did you agree to that? 20k loans, £420 a month, she doesn’t have a job and no intentions of getting one. You've set yourself back years.

You need to get out of there ASAP. Do NOT give/lend her another penny, she sounds absolutely awful.

BlahBlahBittyBlah · 01/05/2025 09:03

So you are now £20k in debt and paying the loan repayments? So even if you wanted to cut her off and walk away, you’d still have that debt? How is she planning to pay you back? Do you have any kind of agreement in writing? I can’t believe she’s done this to you, it’s completely unacceptable.

You don’t say much about your dad here, do you still have a relationship with him? Does he understand she’s bleeding you dry too? Maybe it’s time to switch sides. Would he help you out of the financial hole she’s pushed you into so you can both cut her off?

rainbowstardrops · 01/05/2025 09:07

Your mum sounds awful! I wouldn’t have taken the loans out but there’s not much you can do about that now. Just don’t ’lend’ her any more!
Could you go and live with your dad? Or house share? Your mother needs to wake up and sort her own life out.

Wellbeing24 · 01/05/2025 09:15

I'm so sorry OP but your mother is using you for her own gain and that is not right.
If you have a decent relationship with your father, can you tell him so that he can include the information in the settlement and this would ensure the money to repay your loan is issued directly to your bank and not to your mother once it's finalised? Also save any texts or emails from your mother relating to the loan, think about writing a letter to confirm it's a loan for her and she is expected to repay it, if you get her to sign it great but if not hand it to her or preferably email it so she cannot deny the financial liability in the future.
Whatever else you do, please do NOT give your mother any more money. If she doesn't have capital over £16k at the moment she can claim Universal Credit. She absolutely does not need your income as well.
As other PP have said, can you look at a house share somewhere? Your HR team may have a list of suitable prospective landlords for NHS staff, it's worth asking them.
Please start looking after yourself first. You must be so disheartened by your mothers behaviour but remember she is an adult, these are HER choices. You are NOT responsible for her.
As for your car, can you keep the keys with you then she can't use it?
Sending hugs 💐

Malagase · 01/05/2025 09:20

Forcing youbto take out loans is absolutely toxic.
You need to tell your father you need the money back now to move out.

I would be moving away snd telling them both you need space.

They are very selfish people and your mother sounds lazy.
She needs to get a job not bleed her daughter dry.

Stop this now.

Exitpursuedbygeese · 01/05/2025 09:26

What is your relationship with your dad like, OP? Could you move in with him?

Where you are located, is it possible to get an affordable roomshare?

In order to start psychologically separating yourself from this complete mess, it would be very useful to get yourself your own space separate from your family so you can start constructing practical barriers and then start unpicking the psychological ones. It’s completely unfair what your mum has done to you.

crankycurmudgeon · 01/05/2025 09:46

OP does your mum come from a background with an 'honour culture' that places very heavy cultural expectations on grown children to provide for their parents in later life?

WWomble · 01/05/2025 10:12

How much long do you have repaying the loan? Time to make escape plans, she is not your responsibility.

twennysum · 01/05/2025 13:51

Rocknrollstar · 30/04/2025 22:20

Sorry - but why are you paying for the divorce? You took out the loan on her behalf but she should be paying you back. You really shouldn’t be keeping her. If she has no money she should apply for benefits. She is taking advantage of you big time.

Honestly at the time I was pretty under pressure from her to do so because she had zero money and I’m a recovering people pleaser and I was always raised to basically do whatever she says but I’ve genuinely had enough now. I agree she should be paying it. She used to get benefits but clearly it isn’t enough for her coz she’s in debt herself :(

OP posts:
twennysum · 01/05/2025 13:53

Raininginparadise2 · 01/05/2025 08:56

So sorry OP but she is bang out of order. Refuse to help her with any more money. Say you've been refused any more loans/ overdrafts due to your credit rating or something like that. As soon as you can afford to you need to move out in a room in a house share. She needs to be left to it.

100% not taking out anymore loans! I can’t afford it anyways. And 100% I’m job and flat hunting like crazy so I can move out tbh I’ve had enough!

OP posts:
twennysum · 01/05/2025 13:55

curious79 · 01/05/2025 08:59

Your mother is incredibly toxic and the way she has dragged you into her divorce is unforgivable. I don’t know why she isn’t working. A judge will expect her to work. Is she labouring under the misapprehension that she will be able ‘to live as she’s become accustomed to’? If so, she’s getting very bad advice. The rules these days are reasonable needs. And certainly not any kind of luxurious lady of leisureset up.

So she wants to suck your dad dry but also you in the process? What a ghastly woman.

I know honestly now I’m realising how toxic this all is. I’ve built up so much resentment. I could literally never do this to my child if I was going through a divorce. I suppose she probably got this advice from someone but even a small part time job would have gone a long way for her!

OP posts:
twennysum · 01/05/2025 13:56

MissUltraViolet · 01/05/2025 09:01

Why on earth did you agree to that? 20k loans, £420 a month, she doesn’t have a job and no intentions of getting one. You've set yourself back years.

You need to get out of there ASAP. Do NOT give/lend her another penny, she sounds absolutely awful.

I know. I was naive and dumb and I guess just felt under pressure to do so because she didn’t have any money for lawyer. Trust me I wouldn’t do such a thing again and I’m planning to move out as soon as I can!

OP posts:
twennysum · 01/05/2025 13:59

BlahBlahBittyBlah · 01/05/2025 09:03

So you are now £20k in debt and paying the loan repayments? So even if you wanted to cut her off and walk away, you’d still have that debt? How is she planning to pay you back? Do you have any kind of agreement in writing? I can’t believe she’s done this to you, it’s completely unacceptable.

You don’t say much about your dad here, do you still have a relationship with him? Does he understand she’s bleeding you dry too? Maybe it’s time to switch sides. Would he help you out of the financial hole she’s pushed you into so you can both cut her off?

Yea exactly. She says that by the proceeds sale of the house the debt will be repaid but we shall see. Because obvs if the house is sold then you use the money to get another house? Tbh we actually all still live together (me mum dad and siblings) but I haven’t told him about the loan, he would go absolutely mental and I don’t want to cause anymore friction between him and my mum than there already is.

OP posts:
twennysum · 01/05/2025 14:00

rainbowstardrops · 01/05/2025 09:07

Your mum sounds awful! I wouldn’t have taken the loans out but there’s not much you can do about that now. Just don’t ’lend’ her any more!
Could you go and live with your dad? Or house share? Your mother needs to wake up and sort her own life out.

I agree with you. She’s an adult and she should have her own life sorted tbh. Me my mum and dad still live together as the divorce isn’t finalised yet but I definitely plan on moving out hopefully once i get a new job! That’s my only option for now

OP posts:
twennysum · 01/05/2025 14:02

Malagase · 01/05/2025 09:20

Forcing youbto take out loans is absolutely toxic.
You need to tell your father you need the money back now to move out.

I would be moving away snd telling them both you need space.

They are very selfish people and your mother sounds lazy.
She needs to get a job not bleed her daughter dry.

Stop this now.

I hear you loud and clear! It is very toxic and trust me I’m job hunting and flat hunting like crazy, I really can’t deal with all of this anymore !

OP posts:
twennysum · 01/05/2025 14:05

Exitpursuedbygeese · 01/05/2025 09:26

What is your relationship with your dad like, OP? Could you move in with him?

Where you are located, is it possible to get an affordable roomshare?

In order to start psychologically separating yourself from this complete mess, it would be very useful to get yourself your own space separate from your family so you can start constructing practical barriers and then start unpicking the psychological ones. It’s completely unfair what your mum has done to you.

We all live together actually because the divorce isn’t finalised yet. Ideally I’d like a new job and to move at the same time because I think it would make more sense (like somewhere in london) but honestly it’s getting to a point where I might just have to move out regardless because it’s become insufferable and depressing dealing with this. I definitely plan on speaking to a therapist too!

OP posts:
twennysum · 01/05/2025 14:06

crankycurmudgeon · 01/05/2025 09:46

OP does your mum come from a background with an 'honour culture' that places very heavy cultural expectations on grown children to provide for their parents in later life?

Yes and no. She kind of has this entitled mentality that we as her children should look after her when she gets old which I don’t have an issue with but at the same time none or us asked to be born so we shouldn’t feel obliged to, especially when we have our own lives.

OP posts:
twennysum · 01/05/2025 14:08

WWomble · 01/05/2025 10:12

How much long do you have repaying the loan? Time to make escape plans, she is not your responsibility.

I think it should be paid off within 3-5 years so hopefully by 2028/2030. 100% I’m looking at flats and jobs everyday, coz I really can’t deal with this anymore. So depressing!

OP posts:
Mischance · 01/05/2025 14:10

Tell your Dad.

WWomble · 01/05/2025 14:11

Mischance · 01/05/2025 14:10

Tell your Dad.

I agree. Also tell your a mum it’s time she takes responsibility for her own finances.

twennysum · 01/05/2025 14:13

Wellbeing24 · 01/05/2025 09:15

I'm so sorry OP but your mother is using you for her own gain and that is not right.
If you have a decent relationship with your father, can you tell him so that he can include the information in the settlement and this would ensure the money to repay your loan is issued directly to your bank and not to your mother once it's finalised? Also save any texts or emails from your mother relating to the loan, think about writing a letter to confirm it's a loan for her and she is expected to repay it, if you get her to sign it great but if not hand it to her or preferably email it so she cannot deny the financial liability in the future.
Whatever else you do, please do NOT give your mother any more money. If she doesn't have capital over £16k at the moment she can claim Universal Credit. She absolutely does not need your income as well.
As other PP have said, can you look at a house share somewhere? Your HR team may have a list of suitable prospective landlords for NHS staff, it's worth asking them.
Please start looking after yourself first. You must be so disheartened by your mothers behaviour but remember she is an adult, these are HER choices. You are NOT responsible for her.
As for your car, can you keep the keys with you then she can't use it?
Sending hugs 💐

Thank you for your advice I think I might have to take this on board because it’s really depressing for me. I haven’t told my dad yet about the loan but I probably will have to because it’s putting a massive hole in my pockets. She’s even in abit of debt herself so universal credit wasn’t enough for her. If she got a part time job then I reckon she’d b in a better position. Trust me I won’t be taking anymore money out for her. I will definitely ask around regarding the landlords for NHS staff I wasn’t aware of that. Also in terms of the car keys we have two sets so she has one and I have one so she has access tbh. Thank you again I appreciate it x

OP posts: