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Parents - No respect - Coronavirus

15 replies

jabice · 31/12/2020 06:30

Ok so my parents have always been very in to conspiracy theories and don't believe anything on the news etc. They spend a lot of time on conspiracy theory websites and give money to people trying to "fight against" all of the coronavirus stuff (whatever that means).

Anyway, I have no problem with them having their own beliefs on this and doing their own research etc, but recently I've noticed that they have absolutely no respect for anyone that has different views from them.

5 days after I had my 2nd baby (during lockdown so no help etc), my Mum was bombarding me with messages about Coronavirus, sending me hour long videos from conspiracy theorists and telling me that the stuff she was sending me was a fact. After a few days of this,I snapped and told her I wasn't interested as I had a young baby and was exhausted etc. She apologised but kept sending stuff anyway, telling me it was only an hour out of my day.

Since then, she has told me countless stories about how she makes an effort to stand right next to people/staff/doesn't adhere to 2 metre rule on purpose so then people challenge her and she can start telling them it's all a load of rubbish and how a mask won't save them anyway etc. She's had countless arguments at the till point when staff have asked her to step back etc. She then messaged me saying she'd had an argument with a lady in the laundrette's. My Mum was sat there with no mask on when a lady came in and asked my Mum if she had a mask to put on as she had a severe lung problem and she was really worried that she would catch corona and that it would probably end her life. My Mum started telling her how her mask wouldn't save her and that my Mum is at the end stage of an illness (not true - she does have bad health problems, but certainly nothing that's going to finish her off any time soon). She told the lady that she probably shouldn't be outdoors if she was so worried.

Her and my Dad basically just use every opportunity to tell people what a load of shit it is and to pass on their views. It's like they think they are on a mission to ensure everyone believes what they do. I think it's fine to have your own views etc, but not to force them on other people. I don't understand when my Mum got to selfish. She was never like this when I was a child (unless I just didn't notice). I just can't understand how someone can be like this and I'm always gobsmacked when she tells me her stories. She is so proud of them. No idea what the point in me posting this is really. Guess I just don't know what to do/say about it.

OP posts:
shuuush · 31/12/2020 06:55

I would have to go very low contact I couldn't deal with them.

lljkk · 31/12/2020 07:08

Why do you have so much contact with them?

NotThatKindOfDoctor · 31/12/2020 07:09

I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this. A good friend of my DH has become like this and I just can’t tolerate him anymore. His parents are devastated because they can’t spend any time with him without him turning it into an argument about how we’re all sheep, fooled by the media and that Covid is all a lie etc.

It’s all so exhausting. Is there any way you could say to her that she is not to have these conversations with you? DH has managed to gently insist that his friend doesn’t talk about it with him (the friends social media is still a complete trash fire though so I’ve blocked/muted him on every platform). He’s a really good man normally, I can’t understand how he has so severely lost the plot.

MaryLeeOnHigh · 31/12/2020 07:38

Point out what has happened to some of the more high profile Covid deniers like Dmitriy Stuzhuk, Tony Green, Tony Tenpenny, and Luke Letlow. Send her this article.

jabice · 02/01/2021 08:47

@lljkk I suppose I just feel like I have to as they are my parents. I'm also pretty certain that she wants like this the rest of my life so I feel like she must be in there somewhere. But who knows!!

@NotThatKindOfDoctor Isn't it weird how it has changed people so much? I totally understand people looking in to it and having their own view. There might even be some truth in some of it, but why do they feel the need to force it on everyone all of the time. I have asked my Mum a couple of times to stop talking about it etc, and she has stopped sending the links for me to watch/read, but any opportunity to bring it up and she's right there ready with her "facts".

@MaryLeeOnHigh I know this is going to sound barking mad, but they think anyone that dies after saying they don't believe in Covid etc have been killed on purpose so that it makes the Government seem like they are telling the truth.

I think I'm just going to have to stop responding to any conversations about it. I'm not very confrontational so she will probably never know quite how I feel 😂

OP posts:
yeOldeTrout · 02/01/2021 11:38

Read/Listen to this, it might given you some comfort that others are struggling with equally nutty parents. Sebastian has updated elsewhere since, it's an ongoing saga for him.

You're allowed to find ways to severely limit your contact with her. This will not make you a bad person to protect your own sanity.

3littlewords · 02/01/2021 11:47

I'm sure your Mum must feel the same about people who constantly go on and on about coronavirus, the rules, and pulling other people up about not wearing masks. Just as your mum loves to tell people its all bollocks others also love to preach to others about coronavirus. Not saying your mums views are right BTW she's entitled to them either way. But there's similar people on the opposite side throwing their pennies worth in for anyone who will listen.

jabice · 02/01/2021 12:00

@3littlewords
yes, totally understand. I imagine she is sick to death of watching the News and everybody telling her otherwise.

The thing is, I'm not even suggesting that her thoughts on it all are wrong. A part of me thinks that there is probably some truth in some of the things she has said. It's more that she doesn't appear to have any respect for people who are scared for their own lives (whether it's a load of bollocks or not). People are actively telling her they are worried for their life and she just doesn't care and goes out of her way to stand close to them.

OP posts:
3littlewords · 02/01/2021 12:07

Some people just love the drama I guess no idea why people feel the need to push their views so vehemently on others. Unfortunately there's always one that argue the sky isn't really blue or that the moon is made of cheese . I have a DB who has similar Batshit conspiracy beliefs and will argue his YouTube findings with anyone who will listen, not quite to the extent of your parents though. I tend to keep my distance where possible

Fuckitsstillraining · 02/01/2021 12:08

If she continues to stand close to people and refusing to wear a mask I'd be nervous that she will do this to someone who might react violently, if she upsets a person who has lost a loved one to covid they may not be able to handle her with logic and control.

Unsure33 · 02/01/2021 12:09

I would just calmly tell her that she is entitled to her opinion but to stop sending anything at all because you will not be reading it .

And just don’t engage in any conversation about it . Grey wall them .

I hope you are not having any contact with them in the physical sense ?

3littlewords · 02/01/2021 12:10

@Fuckitsstillraining

If she continues to stand close to people and refusing to wear a mask I'd be nervous that she will do this to someone who might react violently, if she upsets a person who has lost a loved one to covid they may not be able to handle her with logic and control.
Might be the short sharp shock she needs to wind her neck in
bobbiester · 02/01/2021 12:35

@MaryLeeOnHigh I know this is going to sound barking mad, but they think anyone that dies after saying they don't believe in Covid etc have been killed on purpose so that it makes the Government seem like they are telling the truth.

Well surely, even if that's true, it's a damn good reason for her to stop telling everyone that she doesn't believe in COVID??

Tell her you think the government/Bill Gates is bugging your phone - and it's safest if she doesn't talk about her beliefs to you. Tell her you're anxious to avoid having her taken way by black helicopters.

As soon as she starts up just say "Sssshhhhhh . . . they're listening!!!

Ilovemycat13 · 02/01/2021 12:41

Ahh I’m sorry you’re dealing with this. I think you’re right, stop engaging in conservation. If it was me, I’d be furious. My partner works for the NHS and has seen people die from this disease. He’s seen it in their lungs on CT scans and he’s done cpr on patients. It’s such a shame she can’t see what’s happening in hospitals as it may make her realise. I wish I had advice but I don’t ☹️

Haffiana · 02/01/2021 12:53

Conspiracy theories are the new religion. They feel an emotional need.

People who wouldn't be seen dead believing in a God that causes everything to happen in the world and which they have no proof for, will happily instead believe in an unseen group of humans with secret powers that is conspiring to change the world or is conspiring to lie to everyone and manipulate them for their own mysterious reasons.

And just like a religious fanatic, you cannot argue with them using logic and facts, because it is a deeply, DEEPLY held belief system.

And further, just like a religious fanatic, they believe that they are 'special' and 'chosen' because they can See The Truth and everyone else is blind.

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