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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:
KarmenPQZ · 01/05/2025 14:23

What’s your relationship like with your dad? Can you explain to him that living at home all 3 of you is toxic and can he pay off your debt to help enable you to move out?

if your mum is going to pay you back the money will ultimately be coming from that pot anyway so this cuts out the middle man?!?

thinktwice36 · 01/05/2025 14:37

Have you got an agreement with her in writing re the repayment? I’m guessing not. Could you get one?

I’m so sorry you are in this position - it’s a shitty thing for a parent to do xx

allthemiddlechildrenoftheworld · 01/05/2025 14:41

@twennysum I would be getting the car keys off her before she holds it to ransom!!! she does not need a set of your car keys.make sure the docs are in your name. the nhs has accomodation for nurses and other staff. the cost is pretty reasonable and it comes right off your wages.

twennysum · 01/05/2025 16:30

Mischance · 01/05/2025 14:10

Tell your Dad.

Definitely need to muster up the courage to do that bc he will go into an absolute rage about it!

OP posts:
twennysum · 01/05/2025 16:32

KarmenPQZ · 01/05/2025 14:23

What’s your relationship like with your dad? Can you explain to him that living at home all 3 of you is toxic and can he pay off your debt to help enable you to move out?

if your mum is going to pay you back the money will ultimately be coming from that pot anyway so this cuts out the middle man?!?

Tbh I don’t have a bad relationship with him Per se but he’s also toxic in his own ways. Although he is actually the one encouraging me to move out and love my own life so I could use that to my advantage. He has debts of his own which is why I’m even hesistant to ask him but if he could help me with half the payments that could be a good start. Thank you for your response x

OP posts:
twennysum · 01/05/2025 16:34

thinktwice36 · 01/05/2025 14:37

Have you got an agreement with her in writing re the repayment? I’m guessing not. Could you get one?

I’m so sorry you are in this position - it’s a shitty thing for a parent to do xx

Edited

Nah I definitely don’t have an agreement. I did this in my naivety as someone in their early twenties I just didn’t even think about it. I know I wish I wasn’t going through this tbh it’s quite depressing. Thank you for your response and support tho x

OP posts:
twennysum · 01/05/2025 16:35

allthemiddlechildrenoftheworld · 01/05/2025 14:41

@twennysum I would be getting the car keys off her before she holds it to ransom!!! she does not need a set of your car keys.make sure the docs are in your name. the nhs has accomodation for nurses and other staff. the cost is pretty reasonable and it comes right off your wages.

Edited

Yes all documents and insurance is in my name etc so I’m protected in that way. I know tbh I wish she just had her own vehicle! And I will definitely look into this accomodation thing this seems really good. Thank you so much x

OP posts:
Shetlands · 01/05/2025 16:39

Before you move out, I would seek some legal advice about how you can ensure that you get your £20k back when the house is sold. You might be in a stronger position if you're actually living there. There's probably some kind of legal document you could have drawn up. Try Citizen's Advice - hopefully some lawyers will chip in to this thread too. Good luck!

rainbowstardrops · 01/05/2025 16:44

twennysum · 01/05/2025 14:00

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

Then you need to speak to your dad.
This can’t continue.

Malagase · 01/05/2025 16:45

I actually think what your mother has done could come under financial abuse and coercive control.

She forced you to take a loan out in your name.
I think you should call Womens aid for advice and support.
I think your relationship with your mother is absolutely abusive.

I bet if you walked into any police station and asked for advice I bet you would be surprised at their response.

She has 100% taken advantage of you.
I think at the very least you need to start texting her that you are struggling to pay the loan she asked you to take out and that you are very stressed.
Ask her in the text when will she be repaying it.

I think you may need to ask Women's aid for advice on this.

What an utterly toxic woman.
Get your keys back from her.
Pretend you have lost yours and get them back.

This is not a relationship to maintain.
You need to take some serious space.

You do not owe her elder care.
Get that firmly out of your head.

socks1107 · 01/05/2025 17:10

I think you need some professional advice. Your mum has abused you financially and this could be classed as coercive control.
if you can face telling your dad I would, he can then make sure what is owed to you is repaid as part of the divorce settlement before she gets her money.
Your mum should be working not living a free life off her adult daughter. You’ve been treated really badly by the person that you should have total trust in

twennysum · 07/05/2025 22:22

Shetlands · 01/05/2025 16:39

Before you move out, I would seek some legal advice about how you can ensure that you get your £20k back when the house is sold. You might be in a stronger position if you're actually living there. There's probably some kind of legal document you could have drawn up. Try Citizen's Advice - hopefully some lawyers will chip in to this thread too. Good luck!

Oooh this is actually a good shout thank you il look into this x

OP posts:
twennysum · 07/05/2025 22:23

rainbowstardrops · 01/05/2025 16:44

Then you need to speak to your dad.
This can’t continue.

I agree with you! I’ve just come back from
holiday so when my head is clear il definitely tell him coz now she’s even asking about my savings! I’ve worked hard for my money x

OP posts:
twennysum · 07/05/2025 22:25

Malagase · 01/05/2025 16:45

I actually think what your mother has done could come under financial abuse and coercive control.

She forced you to take a loan out in your name.
I think you should call Womens aid for advice and support.
I think your relationship with your mother is absolutely abusive.

I bet if you walked into any police station and asked for advice I bet you would be surprised at their response.

She has 100% taken advantage of you.
I think at the very least you need to start texting her that you are struggling to pay the loan she asked you to take out and that you are very stressed.
Ask her in the text when will she be repaying it.

I think you may need to ask Women's aid for advice on this.

What an utterly toxic woman.
Get your keys back from her.
Pretend you have lost yours and get them back.

This is not a relationship to maintain.
You need to take some serious space.

You do not owe her elder care.
Get that firmly out of your head.

I hear everything you’re saying and actually agree it feels like it’s getting a step too far now and becoming toxic. Today she’s even asking me about my savings which I just think is a massive piss take. Il definitely look into your suggestions about getting advice because it is genuinely so stressful and heavy to be carrying this at my age. Thank you x

OP posts:
twennysum · 07/05/2025 22:26

socks1107 · 01/05/2025 17:10

I think you need some professional advice. Your mum has abused you financially and this could be classed as coercive control.
if you can face telling your dad I would, he can then make sure what is owed to you is repaid as part of the divorce settlement before she gets her money.
Your mum should be working not living a free life off her adult daughter. You’ve been treated really badly by the person that you should have total trust in

I absolutely agree with you! I can’t imagine doing this to my child ever (if I had one). It is pretty depressing but I am hoping to get some advice soon, loads of people have given me good suggestions here. Thank you for your support!x

OP posts:
hattie43 · 07/05/2025 22:28

Why on earth did you do it . It’s not up to you to fund your mother’s divorce costs .

arethereanyleftatall · 07/05/2025 22:37

But you’re 24 and it doesn’t sound like you are paying any - other - financial contribution to the house? Unless I missed it. Which would be normal for your age and a full time job.

so essentially your loan repayments are just a differently worded way of contributing to your upkeep?

itsmeits · 07/05/2025 22:40

twennysum · 07/05/2025 22:23

I agree with you! I’ve just come back from
holiday so when my head is clear il definitely tell him coz now she’s even asking about my savings! I’ve worked hard for my money x

Tell her you have no savings as the loan repayments have eaten them.
Do not disclose to her what you have.
Who pays for her insurance?

Hankunamatata · 07/05/2025 22:43

Get a loan agreement drawn up ASAP and get her to sign
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/lending-money-to-friends-family/

twennysum · 07/05/2025 23:36

hattie43 · 07/05/2025 22:28

Why on earth did you do it . It’s not up to you to fund your mother’s divorce costs .

I just felt pressured at the time and didn’t think it properly I suppose! It’s really hard when your mum is crying to you everyday 😫

OP posts:
twennysum · 07/05/2025 23:38

arethereanyleftatall · 07/05/2025 22:37

But you’re 24 and it doesn’t sound like you are paying any - other - financial contribution to the house? Unless I missed it. Which would be normal for your age and a full time job.

so essentially your loan repayments are just a differently worded way of contributing to your upkeep?

The loan payments are going toward a divorce that has nothing to do with me so I’m not sure I understand your comment

OP posts:
twennysum · 07/05/2025 23:39

itsmeits · 07/05/2025 22:40

Tell her you have no savings as the loan repayments have eaten them.
Do not disclose to her what you have.
Who pays for her insurance?

Yes I’m trying to be very evasive with the whole savings thing. Also I don’t even know if she has insurance tbh. If your talking about car insurance then she doesn’t pay for that, my dad covers my insurance thankfully

OP posts:
twennysum · 07/05/2025 23:40

Hankunamatata · 07/05/2025 22:43

Get a loan agreement drawn up ASAP and get her to sign
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/lending-money-to-friends-family/

Wow I wish I knew this before, thank you! Gonna have a read through x

OP posts:
Talkingfrog · 07/05/2025 23:58

I would see if you can speak to someone such as citizens advice.
If working for the NHS I assume you are in a union. Membership may come with some form of legal advice you could use.
If you don't want her to use the car anymore, can you remove her from the insurance. Make sure you know where both sets of keys are, and tell her she has been removed from the policy. If she then finds a set of keys and driving she is doing so without consent. If you did it at renewal of the policy you could tell her you have done it to save money on the premium.

Re savings - either tell her you have used into them because you are paying back the loan, that you don't have any, or that they are in long term savings accounts that you cannot access.

ASimpleLampoon · 08/05/2025 00:25

This is financial abuse. Please get help for that.