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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Mum demanding payments each month

488 replies

Lifeisinshambles · 15/08/2025 15:24

At 17, I moved out of home. This was due to constant, every single day of my childhood, verbal and physical fights. It cooled a little after I moved out, but they got more, almost spiteful? I believe they felt affronted that ‘I’ had caused social services to become involved (they kicked me out so I stayed at a friends house, I told them what happened, and they told their social worker), and therefore never really forgave me for that, even though they made it seem like they had for the most part.
Since then, when I had absolutely zero money, was living on my own, and to be honest I still felt like a child, I would have to end up borrowing small loans from my mum, such as £10-£20 here and there for food shopping until the end of the month.
From there, due to having pay back more and more each month but my income not increasing, I have ended up in a situation where the debt has continually risen. She is now demanding £400 a month from me, my current wage is £800. It used to be £200, which would then of course still leave me short for the month so by the end of it I would have ended up having to borrow more again to get food shopping etc. I’m not sure why it has suddenly gone up to £400 from £200? Basically, it’s an endless cycle that has been going for years, of me not being able to afford to pay that first £20 back and still make money stretch for that month simultaneously, and hence never releasing myself of the debt.
She has recently, in the last 3 years or so, come into a lot of money from various sources all at one time. I’m not sure on specifics but she has at least £150k+, and will soon be getting her share of another £400k+.
I have told her I simply cannot afford to pay her £400 a month, and how will I make it through the month with less than half of my wages left?
She is threatening to cut off contact, and I assume will forever more talk bad about me to the rest of my family.
AIBU, or is she?

OP posts:
TheErrantDaughter · 15/08/2025 17:27

You don’t owe her a penny. She can’t go after you legally. She’s doing it to control and punish you. Just cut off contact. I know it’s hard, but worth it. Check out the MN Thread “We took you to stately homes” It helped me immeasurably when I was dealing with my coercive controlling toxic mother in law. Take care. Xxx

Irritatediron · 15/08/2025 17:28

Is there a reason you only earn 800 a month when you have 0 dependents and get housed via your job?

lunar1 · 15/08/2025 17:28

Please don’t pay her any more, you don’t owe her anything. Just move on with your life, she’s taken enough from you

Munchyseeds2 · 15/08/2025 17:30

You have paid her enough - vile woman

EuclidianGeometryFan · 15/08/2025 17:30

Lifeisinshambles · 15/08/2025 17:10

Do you think it could be ok if I said I’d pay £100 a month, and explain that it just isn’t feasible for me to pay £400 or £200? I have tried to say to her multiple times that it just clearly isn’t working because I’ve never been able to escape it, I’ve been paying every month for years.

I have tried to say to her multiple times that it just clearly isn’t working

She refuses to hear you. You can't make her understand because she doesn't want to understand.
She will never "agree" to you stopping payments (or reducing them).

But you don't need her to agree. You don't need to discuss it. You don't need to have a conversation about it at all.
Just text her - "I will not be paying you any more money".
Then don't reply to anything else on the subject. Just refuse to engage.

Namechange7282829 · 15/08/2025 17:31

For context of a more “normal” situation. My 25 year old sister took her car to the garage last month expecting to just replace one tyre prior to having her MOT the following week. When she got there the bloke immediately pointed out that all 4 tyres were cracked and completely bald and she was effectively driving a death trap. Sister didn’t have the money to pay for all 4 as she’d only budgeted to replace 1. My mum didn’t want her to get back in the car knowing it was so dangerous so paid for the other 3. Sister was stressing as paying the full whack the following payday would leave her short too so my mum said don’t worry, I don’t need it all back at once, is £50 a month do-able? And that was the end of it!

Ididit2023 · 15/08/2025 17:32

Please don’t pay her any more.

CharlotteFlax · 15/08/2025 17:33

Can you be even braver than you've already had to be and tell her that you won't be paying any more? Please don't pay her £400 or £100 a month, your so called debt must be settled by now!

You said you don't feel grown up enough, but my love, we ALL feel like that! You are doing it though - you're being grown up even if you don't feel it. I'm in my 40s with three children and two step children and wonder how the hell I got here feeling like a child still!

You're right when you say it makes it worse that you know she's come into money and knows you're struggling. She's not being very mumlike if she doesn't want to help you when she's doing well. Mums ARE meant to help out their children - I've been known to pay my 25 year old stepdaughter's phone bill debt off before now. It's normal to still want to support your children even when they're adults!

Be brave! Sending lots of love

THISnewbeginning · 15/08/2025 17:34

I'd be telling her you want a written account of money you owe her from when and what for - if she doesn't have this how the hell does she know what you need to pay

I'd also be telling her to fuck off

Duckswaddle · 15/08/2025 17:34

Love, you don’t actually owe her anything, ok?

Stop giving the stupid, lying bitch your money.

RawBloomers · 15/08/2025 17:35

OP she's abusive and you need to find a way to build up your capacity to say no to her and cut her out of your life.

Presumably part of the reason you are worried about saying no to her is because you may need to borrow more money off her in the future?

I wouldn't send her any of the calculations people are putting up. In part, they don't sound that reliable. It sounds like, while you kept paying her back, each month the amount you borrowed increased, at least at first, as you didn't have enough coming in to cover expenses. But mainly because you shouldn't feel indebted to her for helping you out when she failed to give you the start a parent should. It's also likely she received child benefit for you (which is over £1k a year for an only child) while you were 17 and living away from her. Arguing with her over the amount is not the way to tackle this.

Is it still the case that you can't cover your expenses on your current income? Are you still borrowing from her? If you didn't have to pay her anything, could you get through the month?

If so, your reluctance to tell her no is somewhat sensible. Your first step in standing up to her is to get yourself in a position where you don't need to rely on her. Look at your budget, track every expense, cut where it's sensible to, and look at how you can increase your wages, take a second job if you can, find better paying work. Really focus your efforts on getting yourself financially secure. While you're at it, keep meticulous notes on what you borrow from your mum and and what you repay. This is important for financial management anyway, but also, I think it will help you a bit to see exactly what's going on. I suspect she is lying to you about what you owe. Seeing that in black and white and understanding how she's gaslighting you may help you break away.

If you don't still need to borrow from her, then you need to say no to the repayments. I think you should say something along the lines of "No, I've paid you back far more than is reasonable already. I'm not in debt in you.

But you could start with just, "no, I can't afford that much. I can manage £X if you really need it." Then I suggest if you pay her, each time you do, do so by bank transfer and text her saying "Have transferred you another £x, since you say you really need it." But don't ever say you are repaying a debt. If she ever texts, emails, or otherwise puts in writing that you owe her the thousands she says, you need to respond with something like "That doesn't sound right, mum." or the like. At some point you need to say, "By my calculations I only owed you £Y, which I've now repaid. I won't be paying more."

I would suggest, if you're going to go this route (and I wish you wouldn't, cutting her off will give you a better foundation for the rest of your life), that you estimate how much you used to borrow (not the £2 and £3 unless that happening 2+ times every week) from her and how much you have paid her back. Do not add any interest. Do not accept her figures.

You also need to see if you can access some counseling via the GP or a charity - you have had a really difficult entry into adulthood and don't have the resources (in terms of family) most people do. You could really benefit from some help understanding why you feel indebted to someone who has failed you so badly.

You have done really well so far - leaving home at 17 in todays society is really hard and you have survived and got yourself together. You're going to thrive. In 10 years (which will go far faster than you expect) you're going to look back on who you were and, I hope, feel proud of how you coped. But i think you'll also barely recognize the person you were. You will gain friends and find much better support. People who love you and don't treat you badly. You'll have a different way of looking at yourself and others. And you'll feel anger or sorrow (quite possibly both) for your mum.

FlamingoQueen · 15/08/2025 17:36

Say to her that you borrowed somewhere between £2 and £10 each time and just pay her back that each month - if you must pay her anything at all. This is not normal behaviour. I would do anything I could to help my dc and would never dream of taking half their money.

Please listen to what others are saying on here and put an end to this nonsense.

SoScarletItWas · 15/08/2025 17:36

Lifeisinshambles · 15/08/2025 17:10

Do you think it could be ok if I said I’d pay £100 a month, and explain that it just isn’t feasible for me to pay £400 or £200? I have tried to say to her multiple times that it just clearly isn’t working because I’ve never been able to escape it, I’ve been paying every month for years.

No, lovely. For how long?

I would pay her one final ‘instalment’ (£100, £200, whatever you can do) and tell her you consider yourself paid back.

As per others’ posts, the maths ain’t mathing otherwise.

You have done so well to get where you are. Don’t equate money with paying for her love. You can’t rewind time.

Onwards and upwards. Good luck to you.

Velmy · 15/08/2025 17:36

Lifeisinshambles · 15/08/2025 17:10

Do you think it could be ok if I said I’d pay £100 a month, and explain that it just isn’t feasible for me to pay £400 or £200? I have tried to say to her multiple times that it just clearly isn’t working because I’ve never been able to escape it, I’ve been paying every month for years.

No! You don't owe her any money. Every month when she takes that money, she knows you don't owe it. She knows she's lying to you and stealing from you. She knows that it's making your life miserable. Yet every month, she takes your money anyway.

Forget her for a minute. Forget made up numbers. Why is it that you think that you owe her money? How long do you plan to keep handing your money over? You know you've paid more than she's given you and you know that she's lying to you and stealing from you every week.

So why are you still taking part in this charade?

Veryberrycherries · 15/08/2025 17:36

I don't think you need to pay anything at all. It sounds like a form of control and financial abuse. Your relationship shouldn't be dependent on having money stolen off you every month. Because it sounds like you've more than paid her back. You need to tell her enough is enough and if she kicks off, go public with the fact that you've given her over 7 grand and have never borrowed anything of the sort from her. Don't be taken advantage of anymore.

froggybiby · 15/08/2025 17:37

Please, as others have mentioned, do not pay this woman any more money...you need to work on your self esteem and confidence...she is controlling you and if you continue there will be no end to it.
You have done so well those past 3 years.
💐 Please trust us...you can held your head high....you don't owe her anything.

Seelybe · 15/08/2025 17:40

@Lifeisinshambles I think you are the complete opposite of your name. Hats off to you for getting yourself working and living independently after such a difficult time. You are a very good example of someone turning a horrible situation around.
I hope posting here has made you see things differently. It sounds as though your mother (I use that term technically as she sounds awful) wants to financially control you.
Tell or message her that you've done some calculations which show that you've repaid every penny and more besides. So there is no debt and there won't be any more payments now
Get on with your life, if she does or says nasty things now is she really worth being part of it?
Good luck with everything.

cupfinalchaos · 15/08/2025 17:42

I’m so sorry. She isn’t a mother. I will always gladly feed my children even when they are adults. At 17 you were a child she was meant to be supporting. I never advise this but I think unless she changes you’re better off without her. Sending you love xx

saxonyv · 15/08/2025 17:42

You have paid back more than enough - I would use that money instead for counselling to take away the guilt you feel (which you shouldn’t)
I wouldn’t worry too much about our reaction either, close off your Facebook wall and go no contact, I confronted my parents about something a few years ago and was expecting a completely different reaction to the one I got, and have been no contact ever since, and feel so much better for it.
You have hundreds of lovely mums ob this thread including myself who would be willing to give you mum advice

icouldholditwithacobweb · 15/08/2025 17:43

OP, at this point I'd be telling your mother that you DO NOT OWE HER ANYTHING and that you have more than paid her back.

Be prepared for her to say some terrible things. That is on her, not on you.

She is punishing you for her own failings.

You cannot control that.

You owe her nothing at this point. Even if you hadn't paid her back anything, she should (morally at the bare minimum) have been contributing to your expenses when you left home at 17, or sending you child benefit or whatever because SHE WAS NOT A FIT PARENT.

You have proven that you will be okay whether or not she supports you. This relationship dynamic is doing nothing for either of you. It's not fair that she is like this, and you did nothing to cause it or deserve her behaviour towards you.

You need to put yourself first. Keep the money you are earning, use it to live. It does not matter what she does or doesn't say to others about you - if they know you were removed from the house and have any idea of why, they're not going to believe anything she says in any case.

I know that saying no will be super difficult, but this is one of those things you will look back on in later years and wish you had told your younger self, because all that's going to happen is she is going to excalate the situation more and more to control and punish you. You cannot control her, but you can control your response. This was never about the money. It's about control and punishment.

Stop letting her do this to you. Good luck.

BeachPebbleWave · 15/08/2025 17:44

Lifeisinshambles · 15/08/2025 17:10

Do you think it could be ok if I said I’d pay £100 a month, and explain that it just isn’t feasible for me to pay £400 or £200? I have tried to say to her multiple times that it just clearly isn’t working because I’ve never been able to escape it, I’ve been paying every month for years.

Sweetheart. You’re story has made me so sad but you’e done incredibly well to secure a job, a home, a car, a nice boyfriend.

I had a hugely difficult childhood with a challenging mother and I completely understand the fear of walking away from the relationship. I never did and sadly the cycle continued until she went into a home with dementia.

We also have a lovely son (21) living at home saving a fortune in expenses which I hope will help him build a better future. We regularly help him out (eg unexpected big car bill, petrol money so him and his girlfriend can enjoy days out etc) without question.

Any debt before you were 18 is hers to bear. You were a child a she should have been supporting you regardless of whether you were living at home or not. She was probably claiming child benefit too.

Before trying to appease everyone with the offer of £100 a month, she needs to provide you with an itemised breakdown for the last 2 years and what you have paid back.

This really isn’t an unreasonable thing to ask for or something for het to get angry about, as how can you plan for your future if you don’t know?

Are you continuing to borrow from her while paying £200 a month - eg finding yourself short at the month and needing the odd tenner for food?

Lots of luck. I’d be very proud of you if you were mine. You come across as sensible, mature and thoughtful.

Ifyounevergiveup · 15/08/2025 17:46

The thing is, we all think the parenting we got was as good as it could and should be. Until we finally realise it wasn’t. It’s taken me to the age of 59 to recognise that my upbringing was one of neglect and I only did it with the help of therapy. An earlier poster is right. Don’t pay her any more because it will never stop. Rely on those who love you for support, like your boyfriend. Don’t pay her any more money. Spend it on therapy instead, it’s not necessarily expensive, it cost me £200 and was life changing. If you already have insight it won’t take long. Oh. And DON’T PAY HER ANY MORE MONEY!

Finally and truly, this is the most shocking post I have ever read on Mumsnet. Hear us when we tell you, this is not what good parenting looks like. This is what extortion looks like. My dear, leave her in your rear view and don’t look back. Love can come to you from many places. Don’t do what I did and carry on trying for decades to get the love and affection which your mother is either unwilling or unable to provide. Big hugs. You can do this.

Greenrun · 15/08/2025 17:46

You owe your mother nothing. It was (would have been) her job to make sure you always had a loving home, a roof over your head and warm food on the table until you were at least 18. She failed you at that.

I'm sorry to say, but your mother is emotionally and financially abusive towards you. It's your job to end this abusive situation.

You have nothing to lose by ending contact with her and everything to gain: peace, freedom and your full wages.

I know it's hard emotionally, because we all want our mothers, but you are better off without her.

You feel she's threatening you with no contact, but she's actually doing you a favour. No contact with her is exactly what you need.

Shatteredallthetimelately · 15/08/2025 17:46

Do you think it could be ok if I said I’d pay £100 a month, and explain that it just isn’t feasible for me to pay £400 or £200?

Until it's established how much you owe, if anything at all you can't possibly pay her another penny..

You've had so much good advice on here and you've done well to get yourself away from your childhood home, but you must see that by continuing to pay your mother you're being part of the problem....

Listen to the solutions being given.

CatNoBag · 15/08/2025 17:47

Lifeisinshambles · 15/08/2025 17:10

Do you think it could be ok if I said I’d pay £100 a month, and explain that it just isn’t feasible for me to pay £400 or £200? I have tried to say to her multiple times that it just clearly isn’t working because I’ve never been able to escape it, I’ve been paying every month for years.

Ask her for a detailed statement of everything you’ve borrowed and everything you’ve paid back so far. If she can’t provide it, then you can’t pay her back. If she can and you really want to stay in touch with such a terrible example of a human being, work put a payment plan on your own terms and tell her how much you will pay each month. Though honestly you should just tell her to stuff it.