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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU not wanting to travel with my bereaved mother right now?

51 replies

Misse22 · 14/08/2026 20:08

My DF passed away earlier this year. DM is obviously devastated as am I.
My DB lives in another country and came over in the last few weeks of DF life and was an enormous help.
After DF passing he went home, I dealt with everything, funeral arrangements, financial stuff, which I didn't mind but was a strain.
DB came back for the funeral but hadn't been back since.
He keeps asking for DM to go out to where he is but she will only go if I go with her. She is relying on me a lot for things and I'm feeling very washed out.
DB has offered to fly over and get DM and take her back but she is refusing, she wants me to go.
I feel a change of scenery will really do her good but I really don't want to go.
Im really not in a good place at the moment, lots of reasons but I just do not feel like socialising. My DB wasn't particularly close to my DF but I was and I'm still morning him.
But if I don't go she won't. I also have no money and don't want her to pay for everything, probably leaving my H soon and just feel overwhelmed.
My adult DC have also offered to go with DM but she is adamant she wants me to go.
Im feeling bad, I want her to get away ( and honestly could to with the break from her).
But I do not want to go away at the moment.
Added to the fact that my DB has fallen out with another family member in his country and I just want to be away from any drama, what do I do?

OP posts:
5128gap · 14/08/2026 22:52

I don't think you are being unreasonable. The fact your mum has had offers from her son and her GC which she has declined because only you will do is a red flag she is developing an unhealthy dependence on you.
This is obviously not good for you, but its not good for her either as she needs to adjust to the gap left by her widowhood rather than fill it with you.
If it were me I'd talk to her. Point out gently that you're bereaved too and you are exhausted and running on empty. That it would do her good to go and your brother could share in supporting her while you took some time to get yourself sorted.
Hopefully she will see your needs matter too. If she doesn't I think you'll need to get firmer because give in and you will be making a rod for your own back.

Misse22 · 14/08/2026 23:02

Middlemarch123 · 14/08/2026 22:35

I was you five years ago my love @Misse22 . I get it all too well. I was sixty when my dad unexpectedly died. I adored him and still miss him terribly. I had no time to grieve, because (no siblings} I had to sort the funeral, notify family, sort the death certificate, pension , his finances, it was so draining. My mother had been married to him for sixty five years. Her one and only love. Her grief swamped her, and my raw grief was put on hold to support her. Whatever I did, gave wasn’t enough. I couldn’t fill the void.

Don’t be me. Stand your ground. Be firm and resolute is my advice. Learn from my mistakes. I wish someone told me then what I’m telling you, but they didn’t. They let me carry it all. It broke me and I’ll never be the same again.💐

Thank you, I'm sorry for your loss, this is exactly how I feel. I have not even processed that he has gone. I was with him every day for 4 weeks until he passed. I went to the shop and he passed when I was gone, I didn't even manage to tell him how much I loved him 😢

OP posts:
Misse22 · 14/08/2026 23:06

5128gap · 14/08/2026 22:52

I don't think you are being unreasonable. The fact your mum has had offers from her son and her GC which she has declined because only you will do is a red flag she is developing an unhealthy dependence on you.
This is obviously not good for you, but its not good for her either as she needs to adjust to the gap left by her widowhood rather than fill it with you.
If it were me I'd talk to her. Point out gently that you're bereaved too and you are exhausted and running on empty. That it would do her good to go and your brother could share in supporting her while you took some time to get yourself sorted.
Hopefully she will see your needs matter too. If she doesn't I think you'll need to get firmer because give in and you will be making a rod for your own back.

Edited

Yes, this is exactly what I'm scared of. By I'm so conflicted as I feel so sorry for her but I am running on empty. My DB is good and phones her twice a day, but she doesn't offload on him as much. Also the fallout with the other family member is stressing me out too. I just can't deal with it all .

OP posts:
StickChildNumberTwo · 14/08/2026 23:08

Misse22 · 14/08/2026 23:02

Thank you, I'm sorry for your loss, this is exactly how I feel. I have not even processed that he has gone. I was with him every day for 4 weeks until he passed. I went to the shop and he passed when I was gone, I didn't even manage to tell him how much I loved him 😢

Oh love, he knew how much you loved him, you showed him. And it's really common for people to almost wait until a loved one is away from their side to take their final breath.

Be kind to yourself, and that includes putting in the boundaries you need to with your mum. You'll be no support to her going forward if you've collapsed in a heap. xxx

Sess249 · 14/08/2026 23:08

I’m firmly on your side and don’t think you should go.

or would your mum accept a compromise and you fly out with her, hand her over to brother and then you fly right back? Then you get a break, from her and doing things from her.

if not hold your ground. “Sorry mum, I simply can’t afford to go and I want some time and space to grieve for Dad.”

I think this is a perfectly acceptable time to use your own emotions to support yourself so I say feel free to burst into tears if needed! If other family members give you anything other support cry at them too! Sob about how overwhelmed you are and ask them to pick up either a job your mum needs doing or a slot to come and spend regular time with her

Castolaya · 14/08/2026 23:15

I really think this is where you need to draw your line. I might have misread but did you say you needed a stay in a psychiatric hospital before, sorry if I’ve misread that, but if so, your mental health is incredibly vulnerable and you are very close to trying to pour from an empty cup leaving yourself completely vulnerable. You deserve care too, where does that come from?

Heretohelp1111 · 14/08/2026 23:34

Now is perfect opportunity to set some boundaries and encourage her to grow some independence and reduce reliance on you. Be honest but firm. “I won’t be coming on your trip. I am not in a good place emotionally and I must take care of myself before I get any worse”. And if she tries to put pressure on you or say what’s best for you, such as guilting you or saying you need a trip, explain it’s not a break for you if you’re busy looking after everyone and helping with everything.

OneDreamyAquaEagle · 14/08/2026 23:54

Misse22 · 14/08/2026 21:22

Thank you all for your replies x

Indo love my DM very much but I just cannot cope with this "holiday".
Im feeling so fragile at the moment. My DF was very ill a few years ago and we thought we would lose him then. I ended up in a psychiatry hospital because of the loss. I can't even acknowledge that he has gone yet.

Please remember that you are allowed to prioritise your own need for space to protect your mental health. I understand over functioning as a way of avoiding grief, however it sounds like you recognise that your DMs begging is one thing too much currently. Please be kind to yourself and put whatever boundaries you need in place.

TheFormerMrsTruelove · 15/08/2026 01:07

Misse22 · 14/08/2026 23:02

Thank you, I'm sorry for your loss, this is exactly how I feel. I have not even processed that he has gone. I was with him every day for 4 weeks until he passed. I went to the shop and he passed when I was gone, I didn't even manage to tell him how much I loved him 😢

If you were with him every single day, he would have known exactly how much you loved him. You have to love someone very much to be there all that time. He’s going to have understood that, even though you didn’t get the chance to say it. Actions speak louder than words and your actions were shouting how much he meant to you. He would have felt that love from you.

I think you need boundaries in place with your mum. If she asks you to help her sort something out, then tell her you’ll help, but if she starts having a meltdown about how it’s too much to cope with, when you’re the one doing all the donkey work, then you will get up and walk out and leave her to it. If she’s going to ask you to spend time phoning people and checking stuff, only to get some random relative to question every you’ve done afterwards, then she needs to tell you beforehand so you don’t waste your time, and she can get aforementioned relative to phone around the houses for her.

I think it would be a very good idea to write her a note, so she can’t interrupt you and you get your point across. Maybe something like “I’m not going to DB’s with you. I have no money, no holiday clothes, I have a marriage that is ending, I do not wish to be anywhere near the vicinity of DB and his argument with relative and I haven’t even begun to grieve my DF yet. I am running on empty. I have nothing left to give anyone and if I do not draw a line in the sand, I will end up back in hospital. I will not go. If you attempt emotional blackmail, I will be forced to take a step back, which I do not want to do because I love you very much and I want to help you where I can, but this is too much. Love…”

LBFseBrom · 15/08/2026 01:10

Explain that it's not the right time for you but maybe next year if you are in a better place. I presume your mother is in reasonable health, she can wait a year.

Misse22 · 15/08/2026 06:46

Thank you everyone for your kind replies. I'm going to have to sit her down and tell her I can't face it. My DD is very kind and patient and she has offered to go with her.

OP posts:
DoAWheelie · 15/08/2026 06:56

Would it be possible to go for just a day or two as a travel companion and leave her there for a few weeks, maybe? I know it would be stressful but it could also end up giving you that break that you need as you'll know she is somewhere getting the care she needs while you recharge.

I have full sympathy to you both, I lost both my father and my OH within a few weeks of each other so I've experienced both sides of the bereavement. I loved my dad dearly, and miss him every day, but losing my OH hit me far harder and had quite severe effects on my level of functioning. Even simple tasks felt utterly overwhelming for around 18 months after, and I'm only starting to feel vaguely normal again after more than 2 years. I know travel without my "safe" person I was relying on would have been too much to handle. I found having an escort there was often "enough" to help me cope and I could handle things fine while there.

CaringCucumber · 15/08/2026 06:58

It's good posting here is helping. You'll end up collapsing if you carry on being her crutch when you're so weak and grieving. Although doesn't sound like you've had time to grieve.

Do you have work or anything else to distract you? If you let dm have more time to herself she'll have to cope or look for other avenues.

Have you talked to the GP?

CaringCucumber · 15/08/2026 07:00

@DoAWheelie that's so awful 💐

Misse22 · 15/08/2026 08:59

DoAWheelie · 15/08/2026 06:56

Would it be possible to go for just a day or two as a travel companion and leave her there for a few weeks, maybe? I know it would be stressful but it could also end up giving you that break that you need as you'll know she is somewhere getting the care she needs while you recharge.

I have full sympathy to you both, I lost both my father and my OH within a few weeks of each other so I've experienced both sides of the bereavement. I loved my dad dearly, and miss him every day, but losing my OH hit me far harder and had quite severe effects on my level of functioning. Even simple tasks felt utterly overwhelming for around 18 months after, and I'm only starting to feel vaguely normal again after more than 2 years. I know travel without my "safe" person I was relying on would have been too much to handle. I found having an escort there was often "enough" to help me cope and I could handle things fine while there.

I'm so sorry ❤️

OP posts:
Misse22 · 15/08/2026 09:04

CaringCucumber · 15/08/2026 06:58

It's good posting here is helping. You'll end up collapsing if you carry on being her crutch when you're so weak and grieving. Although doesn't sound like you've had time to grieve.

Do you have work or anything else to distract you? If you let dm have more time to herself she'll have to cope or look for other avenues.

Have you talked to the GP?

I think I need to speak to my GP.

My DM won't even order something in a restaurant, she will get me to order for her.
I really do think it will do her good to get away, quite happy to go for a few days but I know she won't agree to that.
Will see if she is willing to go with DD.

DM and my DB are keen for me to go to get a break from my marriage situation. But, it doesn't matter where I am, I won't be able to not think about it. I just don't have the energy to mask my feelings at the moment.

OP posts:
LadyMacbethssweetArabianhand · 15/08/2026 09:09

I have much sympathy for your situation. After dad died, mum took to phoning me late at night to bemoan his death and to tell me how lonely she was. Often she woke me up and I had work the following day. My brother lived with her (and didnt work) and my son and his partner lived in a flat in the same building! Nevertheless only I would do. Eventually I had to tell her to stop the late night calls. It was hard but it wasn't helping either of us. I hope you can get the message through

TreeTrunkTree · 15/08/2026 09:24

Misse22 · 14/08/2026 20:38

Sorry lots of typos there!
I kind of raised it with DM and she said I'm not asking you to go with me, I'm begging you

You need to reply “And I am begging you to stop asking. I am not up to this trip with you at the present time and you are adding to my distress by continuing to put pressure on me”.

LoyalAquaAnt · 15/08/2026 09:31

Can your brother take her away for a week in this country to give you a break?

You HAVE to put yourself first in order to be able to help her going forward. Be selfish.

Shatteredallthetimelately · 15/08/2026 11:47

DM and my DB are keen for me to go to get a break from my marriage situation

TBF it sounds like its not only the marriage situation you need a break from.

Misse22 · 15/08/2026 16:36

LoyalAquaAnt · 15/08/2026 09:31

Can your brother take her away for a week in this country to give you a break?

You HAVE to put yourself first in order to be able to help her going forward. Be selfish.

I don't think she will go. To be honest he keeps saying he will come back for a bit but hasn't been here since the funeral.
He does phone her a couple of times a day as do I.
I haven't been over to see her for a couple of weeks as I have been working on a project. Phoned her today and she said she's so lonely, just feels like she's sitting in her house waiting to die 😢

OP posts:
Heretohelp1111 · 15/08/2026 17:04

It’s very sad that she feels so terrible but it’s unfair of her to expect you, especially when you’re struggling yourself, to carry the responsibility for solving her problems. If you’re her safety blanket and she’s never forced to challenge her anxious thinking (by doing something independently or with someone else and realising she can do things more independently and it wasn’t as scary as she thought it might be) she will remain stuck.
If she’s too anxious to be without you she must go to her GP for support. If she’s lonely she can find a group she can attend.

Middlemarch123 · 15/08/2026 19:34

It’s a horrible time @Misse22 . Don’t fight it, just try to accept it. From my experience which was very similar, is that the more you give your mum, the more she will expect.

Her grief is profound and palpable. But, here’s the key thing, it is HER grief. She’s going to be in denial, understandably, she spent the majority of her life with your dad. If she’s anything like my mum, she will want someone (you) to take all decisions, however small, away from her. She needs to be able to accept her grief, my mother never really went through the full grieving process, she lashed out, at me. Fighting me over silly, trivial things meant that she felt control. I just felt useless and incapable.

You have lost a beloved dad. Your grief is different, but devastating. My mother never really acknowledged my grief,because in her eyes, hers was greater. This isn’t top trumps though. It’s not a competition. I gave my mother a lot of leeway for the first few months. I thought she’d improve with me around all my available time. I was teaching at the time, my Head was empathetic and gave me a lot of compassionate leave. She was wonderful. My mother insisted, eight weeks since we lost him that I return to work. I thought that we might be near her accepting our loss. Instead she called me numerous times at work. The pharmacist had sent the wrong prescription (they didn’t). I needed to go round because she couldn’t work out the thermostat (she could). She decided that she could no longer cook, do her own washing, peg out or iron. So I spent time doing it all. I shouldn’t have.

So again, don’t be me. I’m having therapy for delayed grief. It was five years ago I lost my dad. Mum passed over two years ago. I made so many mistakes.

look after yourself x

TheFormerMrsTruelove · 16/08/2026 14:21

DM and my DB are keen for me to go to get a break from my marriage situation

How convenient. If they were that concerned about your well being, they’d realise it’s also being the defacto carer for your mum that you need a break from as well. Funnily enough, neither of them seem as concerned about that, do they? What excuse would they use if you were happily married?

pizzaHeart · 17/08/2026 11:17

I think you need to be very clear that you don’t want to go as it’s too much for you.
Dont mention clothes or relatives drama or other things or your mum will bring you into an argument about these things.