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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To deeply dislike my grandmother (TW)

133 replies

Spokebefore · 20/10/2025 16:40

NC as I’ve discussed things about her before. There’ll also be various triggering topics below.

i somehow feel an immense guilt writing this. I do believe she’s severely mentally ill and she’s had a very tough life but more recently I just feel myself not being able to tolerate her and I feel I might lose it on her (by this I mean really kick off and give her a piece of my mind, nothing physical obviously)

if she wasn’t my grandmother I’d think she was a disgusting human being (and I do now but won’t admit it). She says a lot of the way she acts is through love for her family what she sees as protecting.

examples;

she is incredibly racist towards certain (but not all) ethnic groups. She ostracises ethnic neighbours, will set prompts to make sure she can get to the door to glare at them during the school run, intimidates and insults given any opportunity. She treats shop workers as lesser if they are of certain ethnic groups.

she’s cruel to animals, regularly kills cats and birds that go in her garden with poison, she shoots at birds with my uncles airsoft BB gun type thing. she’s picked up dog mess from outside her house and rubbed it in the owners face (who was picking it up, but in her eyes she shouldn’t be doing it at all). Pours bleach over cats etc.

she’s homophobic and we have multiple gay people within the family, actively dislikes their partners and coins them as not being good enough the lace XYZ relatives boot. Makes no issue in pointing out she’s disappointed in them for being “queer”.

shes sexist and believes women have a place and so do men. She’ll actively hurl abuse at little boys who play with “girls toys” or “squeal” when playing near her bungalow. She will tell their parents to make them behave like proper boys and they should be ashamed. She doesn’t necessarily believe in ALL women’s rights and raises an eyebrow if mothers within the family leave their kids with their dads for a night out for example.

she has (and claims she would continue to do so) physically abused kids in her care. If they’ve been mean to one of her GC for example, she would slap them or not give them snacks but give them to the DC. She would make them feel bullied and excluded. All of this would happen after being the sweet caring GM inviting her DC friends around for a play date. She says she wanted them to feel as hurt as they’d made her GC feel.

We live in london, she is constantly comparing how many white people she’s saw to XYZ nationality. she has never worked and really excessively rages about “hand outs” foreigners are getting.

she doesn’t speak to a large portion of the family and has plotted the most evil things against her brother (who’s DC weren’t biologically his unbeknownst to him and she revealed the secret) she’s had his house smashed up and has said horrific things about her infertile sister and slept with her husband.

she is overbearing and over opinionated (obviously). On a personal level she is unbelievably over dramatic and protective of family, always plotting some sort of revenge on anyone we’ve had a run in with. Overly complimenting us always as if we are gods gift to earth and won’t have it said otherwise. I get this can be general biased grandparents but it’s to another level. She’s generally extremely difficult to be around.

of course on a family level she has some positives and I do think she’s sort of a victim of her own upbringing and/or mentally ill. But I really find myself not being able to tolerate her nastiness and evilness and I find it exhausting calling it out every single time. That said, she’s pushing 80 and her health is declining. Would you cut her off? Would you put up and shut up? Would you feel guilty if something happened to your GM and you’d cut her off? I don’t know what I’m gaining from this I suppose I’m just venting but what a mess.

OP posts:
Spokebefore · 20/10/2025 16:59

Whatwouldnanado · 20/10/2025 16:58

She sounds completely unhinged. I would phone every now and again but keep your kids away.

This is kind of what I’m doing now. They see her maybe once a fortnight if not less

OP posts:
SL2924 · 20/10/2025 17:01

Report her to the police.

NestEmptying · 20/10/2025 17:01

You have to report her about the cats. If you don't she will continue to do it. You can do it anonymously.
If you don't then their deaths are on you.
You've become immune to it perhaps but that's really bad and shouldn't be allowed to continue.

NessShaness · 20/10/2025 17:02

This cannot be fucking serious.

She is torturing and killing animals and nobody is reporting her?! You are allowing and enabling this.

ComfortFoodCafe · 20/10/2025 17:02

Spokebefore · 20/10/2025 16:59

This is kind of what I’m doing now. They see her maybe once a fortnight if not less

Thats to much. You do not want your kids being influenced by this woman. If I was you my kids wouldnt be allowed anywhere near her. Shes a deranged pyshcopath. Your obviously used to her behaviour and cannot see it for what it actually is, she shouldnt even be allowed to walk around in public.

thepariscrimefiles · 20/10/2025 17:02

Spokebefore · 20/10/2025 16:54

The thing I also worry about is, if I go NC that would likely cause her to spiral and either do more evil things to others or conspire against me. She didn’t see my DC until they were about 5 due to a period of us not speaking and says it “destroyed” her. Now that she knows them I can’t imagine what the fall out would be.

She dangerous though. Don't subject your children to her crazy and illegal behaviour. Do the rest of your family like and support her? Are you the only family member who has a problem with her? If so, to go against them will be difficult but you must keep your children away from her for their own safety and wellbeing.

For incidents that are against the law, please contact the police.

PeachyKoala · 20/10/2025 17:04

OP you have to report her about the cats. Do you know what a death involving poison is like for an animal? It's horrific. You are as bad as she is if you let this continue and turn a blind eye.

Spokebefore · 20/10/2025 17:04

thepariscrimefiles · 20/10/2025 17:02

She dangerous though. Don't subject your children to her crazy and illegal behaviour. Do the rest of your family like and support her? Are you the only family member who has a problem with her? If so, to go against them will be difficult but you must keep your children away from her for their own safety and wellbeing.

For incidents that are against the law, please contact the police.

It depends, it’s all very “ahhh that’s just how she is” though right throughout my life there’s been huge fall outs that all centre around her. Half the family does not and will not speak to her, the other half (my siblings and her children) love and adore her and just accept that’s how she is. They don’t agree but “it’s her” sort of thing.

OP posts:
popcornandpotatoes · 20/10/2025 17:06

She's sounds completely unhinged and psychopathic. The only reason people get away with such behaviour is because people let them. If you won't do anything else at least keep your kids away

MissionaryMumtoOne · 20/10/2025 17:06

She sounds horrible. I’d keep a distance. I wouldn’t go out of my way to be visiting her, and I’d keep my children away from someone like that.
age has nothing to do with it. Many people are “pushing 80” or older and don’t act like that.

Spokebefore · 20/10/2025 17:07

PeachyKoala · 20/10/2025 17:04

OP you have to report her about the cats. Do you know what a death involving poison is like for an animal? It's horrific. You are as bad as she is if you let this continue and turn a blind eye.

I don’t have any evidence for a start. And I don’t know the frequency or when she’s planning on doing it. She uses household items to make the poison (bleach, paint stripper, expanding foam etc) so she could easily explain it away.

Seperately, she deals her prescription drugs to neighbours to make money so I imagine I’d open a huge can of worms in involving police.

OP posts:
ComfortFoodCafe · 20/10/2025 17:11

Spokebefore · 20/10/2025 17:07

I don’t have any evidence for a start. And I don’t know the frequency or when she’s planning on doing it. She uses household items to make the poison (bleach, paint stripper, expanding foam etc) so she could easily explain it away.

Seperately, she deals her prescription drugs to neighbours to make money so I imagine I’d open a huge can of worms in involving police.

So what if the police get involved? Your enabling her behaviour & I stand by my previous comment that your just as bad by standing by & allowing this to continue. I really hope I am right & this is a troll post and this has made me feel sick reading.

unmp · 20/10/2025 17:12

Strange how people will overlook the racism and discrimination of minorities but getting up in arms about the Cats! Will somebody think of the cats! This country is so upside down, it’s ok for her to set alarms to harass her neighbours and shopkeepers of different ethnicities but everyone is focused on reporting her to the police due to what she is doing to potential pets, shows the value that people place on others different to themselves 🙄

Foodylicious · 20/10/2025 17:12

Are you are only staying in contact through genuine fear for the retaliation to you and your children if you go NC....
Just sit with that thought for a while.

Im not sure what your appraoch could be here - gradually decrease contact, then stop?
If the family is genuinely that enmeshed and she is unstable enough to be a risk to your family, the I would seriously consider moving away.
Might sound extreme, but you definitely need to do something.

Oh, and you can notify the police of any and all concerns anonymously.

Wisterical · 20/10/2025 17:13

You should be protecting your children from this women not facilitating their relationship. Stop seeing her. Have no contact. And for fucks sake do something about her killing cats and dealing drugs. It's utterly pathetic of you to keep ignoring these things.

ThisRealSloth · 20/10/2025 17:14

Abuses animals and children/ racially abuses innocent passers-by and she's still walking the streets????
And if anyone tried shoving dog mess in MY face,I wouldn't care if they were 20 or 80, they'd be in a prison cell.
Jesus,Joseph and Mary, I thought my auntie was a cow, but she's f*ing Mother Teresa compared to this gem!

Done2much · 20/10/2025 17:18

She's an animal abuser and drug dealer but you don't want to report her to the police?

why bother posting on here if you don't listen to what ppl are saying. If you fail to report you are complicit in her crimes

make the call

Spokebefore · 20/10/2025 17:20

Out of curiosity, it’s been long suspected that she has learning difficulties. Would this in any way change some of the views here if it were proven to be the case? It wouldn’t for me personally but I’m interested to know

OP posts:
Bloodylovecheese · 20/10/2025 17:24

unmp · 20/10/2025 17:12

Strange how people will overlook the racism and discrimination of minorities but getting up in arms about the Cats! Will somebody think of the cats! This country is so upside down, it’s ok for her to set alarms to harass her neighbours and shopkeepers of different ethnicities but everyone is focused on reporting her to the police due to what she is doing to potential pets, shows the value that people place on others different to themselves 🙄

Animals are defenceless creatures and are being killed.
We're a nation of animal lovers too. I understand why that bit sticks out most in peoples minds.
Everything that this person does is utterly horrific. The abuse...everything
Needs reporting. How anyone can associate with her is just as bad, regardless of the fallout.
Seriously gobsmacked 😳

GwendolineFairfax8 · 20/10/2025 17:29

@Spokebefore

I took a sharp intake of breath when I read your post. So much of it relates to my mother with the hiding/condoning of child sexual abuse thrown in by various perverts connected to my sister (she is just as bad).

I put up with my mother’s behaviour for years for the sake of ‘family’. My daughter always detested her grandmother and saw her about three times in ten years. She said she will not feel anything when her grandmother dies.

I understand your feelings of guilt but I would cut her out of your life asap. You do not want your children growing up thinking her behaviour is acceptable or have to keep apologising for it like I did. I was wrong to keep the relationship going and it affected my wellbeing for sure.

I feel so free now and my only regret is not doing it years ago. My DH is delighted.

ThisRealSloth · 20/10/2025 17:30

Spokebefore · 20/10/2025 17:20

Out of curiosity, it’s been long suspected that she has learning difficulties. Would this in any way change some of the views here if it were proven to be the case? It wouldn’t for me personally but I’m interested to know

No. My brother has learning difficulties. He has been known to lose his temper over trivial things, but he's never harmed a sentient being in any way.

EleanorReally · 20/10/2025 17:30

does she ask to see you?
if you really feel it is your duty to see her make it as short as possible.

TheGoddessAthena · 20/10/2025 17:31

What are the advantages of having a relationship with this bullying psychopath? And I don't mean the negatives of "she'd be made if we broke off contact", I mean the benefits, what does she add to your life?

You are enabling her. Who cares if she has learning difficulties or a hard upbringing. Boo hoo. Thousands of people have had a rough start in life and don't go round killing cats or being racist or homophobic. What a horrible woman.

TenGreatFatSquirrels · 20/10/2025 17:31

Genes don’t mean you have to like someone OP. A dickhead is a dickhead whether they’re your gran or not. Someone who kills animals and antagonises neighbours for their race is a blatant dickhead - and whether she’s mentally ill or just an arsehole it doesn’t really matter. You don’t have to witness and be a part of it. Frankly, I’d tell her I think she’s a piece of shit but I don’t think you’re up for that.

Pouring bleach on innocent animals is psychopathic and would have resulted in me never speaking to her again. I’m surprised nobody has decked her by now.

ComfortFoodCafe · 20/10/2025 17:32

Spokebefore · 20/10/2025 17:20

Out of curiosity, it’s been long suspected that she has learning difficulties. Would this in any way change some of the views here if it were proven to be the case? It wouldn’t for me personally but I’m interested to know

No my son has a learning disability he doesnt go round being homophobic, making racist comments or abusing animals.
Learning disability or not they know right from wrong.