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Elderly parents

DM forever conflict

6 replies

orangeandtomato · 31/07/2025 09:57

I posted here before about elderly DM living abroad and me not having a proper bed to stay there when visiting. Received a lot of messages here and took it to heart. I started therapy which revealed a lot but I also went to visit and this time the shortest ever - just 4 days. Unfortunately despite such short visit DM managed to create massive conflict due to her neglegence and pure stupidity. She got herself signed up by a woman (stranger) from mobile phone provider to a tracking device for elderly and the woman who already had all her personal details, downloaded an app on her own phone to track my mother just in case something happened. I was rather sceptical as my mother doesnt use smartphone and I can not have the app on my phone as I have a UK number. The woman pushed the device upon my mother eventhough I had reservations but I asked if this doesnt work can we return. She said we can. Turned out at home the device is useless but DM paid, DM decided to return, woman doesnt accpet return but has DM on an app to track her (and has all her details). I went absolutely balistic and explained to DM this is a stranger that basically has access to all your data and can even take loans in your name. DM adamant it is not her fault, I should have stepped in, it is my fault etc. It got really out of hand. I had to confront the woman the following day to delete the app from her phone and trust nothing else will happen. Point is as it's been for decades she never listens to me but tells everything and listens to complete strangers. Any form of me trying to protect her, she lashes out at me and can be extremely unpleasant. Considering I see her only 2x a year and she is in her 80s, this time she did not even say goodbye to me when I was leaving for the airport, just sat there permamently ofended for 2 days (mind you I was there 4 days), I went there with suitcase full of birthday gifts, took her out on her birthday yet I did not get a goodbye hug. I felt awful but understood I do not have a Mum I always craved and that I need to be gentle with myself. Since then and it's been nearly a month I do not call daily anymore only 3 times a week, she is very official and either moans about the times we live in or talks about weather. She sometimes talks about her friends how their adult children take them places or even on holidays, puts emphasis on grandchildren these friends have or sons in law and I feel it is a pick on me as I am divorced and childless.I think I moved abroad all these years ago to escape. It really crashed me that visit. I am not sure why I share this here. Perhaps someone had similar experience and has a method of dealing with it.

OP posts:
thedevilinablackdress · 31/07/2025 10:05

I remember your previous posts
This is how I'd deal with it. It works for me.
https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-let-them-theory/mel-robbins/sawyer-robbins/9781788176187

orangeandtomato · 31/07/2025 10:35

@thedevilinablackdress ha! got this book and half way through it but thank you. I am more in the stage of loss, grieving a relationship that has never had a chance to flourish. I feel (despite not having children but wanting them) that one can have such beautiful and varied relationship with your child at different stages of life. So much to embrace and celebrate yet did not happen to me.

OP posts:
Whoooo · 31/07/2025 10:45

Read Toxic parents by Susan foreward.
You owe this person nothing.

orangeandtomato · 16/08/2025 23:17

I am back here and I am sorry but need to share... I think I mentioned I do not call my DM daily anymore. I call every 3 or 4 days so twice a week which gives a bit more to talk about. DM made a comment today that I do not call daily, that I changed the schedule. Well she can call as well... to be honest. I did not want to be mean and I was tired so I did not say anything other than admiting. She then goes off and suggests that since I have problems with finding work I shoudl just pack up and return to where she lives (abroad) and teach there or do something. I suspect she simply want me to live there with her and have me to waiting on her. I explained teaching is regulated and despite the relevant degree I can not teach at school plus it is very low paid. She then started saying how I have my plans but ofcourse i do not share them. No I do not. Call was lesst than 10 minutes and I got ill afterwards. What is going on with me?

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shellyleppard · 16/08/2025 23:25

@orangeandtomato communication is a two way thing. Your mum sounds very controlling and you are jumping through hoops trying to keep her happy. Whilst your own mental health is suffering. My only advice to you is to back off. I know it's not easy as you feel guilty but if you want to save your mental health it might be the only way. Sending hugs x

orangeandtomato · 26/08/2025 22:10

thank you again for those who pop in here now and then. unfortunately I am back. I had a therapy session today and we were talking with my therapist how well I am doing and about my strength and progress. This did not last long. I happened to call DM today after long weekend and she starts telling me how she wants to move (mid 80s she is), I asked where to, she doesnt knwo but she can not cope with the flooding problem from flat above her. I kept asking her different questions to help her paint a picture that once she sells her flat she will nto be able to buy a same size, so it means downsizing which means getting rid of a lot of her stuff, she doesnt know where she wants to live as which part of town, she now lives very central to everything and has wonderful neighobours (apart from the flooding upstairs), she can not understand the logistics of modern move, the refurbishment, prices etc and towards the end of the conversation she just said 'well I want you to come over (I live abroad) as soon as possible and discuss things with me so we buy me a flat (WE!) and make arrangements. She basically expects me to organise everything for her and contribute whilst I am abroad, currently between jobs (again!) stressed trying to move away from freelance, I have relationship problems we are trying to work on, I am in therapy but she just wants me to drop my life and go there and sort her life out for her. I mean this is just absurd! For the peace I just said 'yes, ok, of course' in a hope this will fade away.It is 3rd time in 12 months she has been like that. I do not know what to do. It really stresses me out.

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