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Parents of adult children

Wondering how to stop worrying about your grown child? Speak to others in our Parents of Adult Children forum.

Has anyone else felt this way?

16 replies

Suboo22022 · 12/04/2023 18:04

Hi all!

I’m 30 years old, currently have a 10 month old with my boyfriend. We live together have our own mortgage etc and were happy and settled.

I also have a younger sister and a soon to be BIL. They get married next week. I have both my mum and dad as well. I get very well with my dad, always have done. I was always closer to my dad and I’m close to my Grandma and Grandad (mums parents). But my mum on the reverse I have such a hard relationship with and its now in my adult years really starting to bother me. In fact it really really HURTS.

For years when I lived at home I was lead to believe I was this horrible child in my mothers words because of anytime I acted up like a normal child does. In reality I think I yearned for my mums love and she rejected me a lot and picked on me specifically. My sister very rarely bore the brunt of my mums verbal abuse, It usually got aimed at me and I was always the one getting into trouble regardless of whether I’d done it or not. I spent my teenage years battling, arguing and falling out with my mum weekly often being kicked out at 15yrs old by her for weeks on end surfing between family and friends. We butted heads a lot. She never approved of my boyfriends, she never approved of my work choices. I was often referred too as the problematic, dramatic teenager. Told how much of a nightmare I was. How unbearable I was to spend time with (I rarely spoke as my mum always talked at me rather than too me). If I ever wanted to talk to her if I was feeling down or depressed; she would instantly reject me. Or if I didn’t bother to tell her knowing what she’d say; she’d pester me until I opened my mouth but the minute I even began to open up she would immediately tell me She isn’t interested, that I’m being pathetic, I need to grow up/get a grip, go away and stop bothering her (she still does this now). She never had time to listen to me and she still doesn’t now.
My mum and dad have both paid for my sisters wedding but my mum has suddenly decided that because she’s found it too stressful and hated having no money. She sent me and my partner a random text telling us not to bother coming to them if we want to get married as we are on our own. I raised the point of it not being very fair to say that too us after having spent £18,000+ on my sister for their wedding, to which I got told to f**k off and go learn to budget (call me jealous? I am a little and quite upset by my mums most recent outburst). But I just cannot understand what I have ever done wrong to my mum to warrant the way she treats me. Iv also found out my sister and her partner turned to my mum and dad on their knees as they were struggling for money and my mum handed out cash like it wasn’t any a problem and she came to me almost rubbing it in and saying how she felt sorry for them. Me and my partner are now struggling a little with bills and we only mentioned it in passing but said were managing them and sorting it, before we even had chance to finish our sentence my mum cut us off and told us to stop moaning and to not bother even asking her for help. But then if anyone dares to help me or anyone makes me cry she suddenly becomes interested and starts standing guard over me like she suddenly cares. Its so confusing :’(. In fact its draining me emotionally. I don’t know how to feel about her anymore.

Does anyone have a mum/dad who is like this? It is absolutely KILLING ME inside. My mental health has suffered at the hands of my mums verbal abuse over the years. Its destroying me mentally, I’m so protective over my baby as a result and I worry daily that he would grow up feeling how I feel about my mum. I don’t want my baby to ever feel how I have done, I want him to know I’m hear for him. How did you deal with bar cutting them off?

thanks all x

OP posts:
FamilyStrifeIsHard2Bear · 12/04/2023 18:23

It's honestly not you or anything you have ever done, especially as a child, to cause this. Have a read here as this sound exactly what you are describing of your family and parent relationships

psychcentral.com/health/scapegoat-child

What you have gone through sounds awful and I'm sorry you have had to deal with it all, there is a lot to read online around these issues and what you can do to break the cycle, not accept being treated like this and enjoy your little one and immediate family relationships.

Another term - 'grey rocking' is also helpful when working out how best to manage family members like this.

On Mumsnet the 'but we took you to stately homes' threads are also really good for support and reading how others cope with similar issues.

Best of luck and don't feel, if you choose to, that you have to stay in contact with someone who treats you like this, even if they are your mother. I haven't spoken to mine for several years now for slightly different reasons and have found it a huge weight and stress taken off my shoulders.

Suboo22022 · 12/04/2023 18:35

FamilyStrifeIsHard2Bear · 12/04/2023 18:23

It's honestly not you or anything you have ever done, especially as a child, to cause this. Have a read here as this sound exactly what you are describing of your family and parent relationships

psychcentral.com/health/scapegoat-child

What you have gone through sounds awful and I'm sorry you have had to deal with it all, there is a lot to read online around these issues and what you can do to break the cycle, not accept being treated like this and enjoy your little one and immediate family relationships.

Another term - 'grey rocking' is also helpful when working out how best to manage family members like this.

On Mumsnet the 'but we took you to stately homes' threads are also really good for support and reading how others cope with similar issues.

Best of luck and don't feel, if you choose to, that you have to stay in contact with someone who treats you like this, even if they are your mother. I haven't spoken to mine for several years now for slightly different reasons and have found it a huge weight and stress taken off my shoulders.

Thank you for the response!

I’ve grown up and always wondered what I did or where I want wrong, constantly finding reasons to blame myself for some of the things that happened (some things yes were me, but my mum was equally responsible).

We had an argument when I lived at home and my mum seems to take pleasure out of telling family that I hit her but then tells my partner regular whilst laughing that I stood crying when she had me by the scruff of my neck against a wall? (It never happened and my dad remembers the argument all well). This was one occasion where I’d defended myself online from a bully my Sister was friends with and I somehow ended up being given the stick for sticking up for myself.

I hated living at home and I always remember my mum would sit downstairs belly laughing with my sister mimicking me and plain as day impersonating me, she did it with both my BIL’s family present once and I got incredibly upset by it it was embarrassing. But I got told to get a grip. If I dare speak about my BIL or my sister I best keep my mouth shut or my mum will be a problem. Easter Sunday my nephew came running up to me and said ‘Grandma says your my miserable moody auntie…’ and its all he said to me all afternoon..

OP posts:
tothelefttotheleft · 12/04/2023 18:39

@Suboo22022

As someone's whose mum doesn't like her either I understand how confusing things seem to you.

Is the relationship you have with your mum worth the upset it causes you? I would consider whether going no contact with her would be better for you and your family.

ToHellBackAndBeyond · 12/04/2023 18:43

I'm a good bit older than you and am the black sheep. I'm sorry you have been and are treated like this. Walk away if you can, that's the best thing really because it won't change. I know. I didn't walk away and it's too late to do so now.

Suboo22022 · 12/04/2023 18:43

tothelefttotheleft · 12/04/2023 18:39

@Suboo22022

As someone's whose mum doesn't like her either I understand how confusing things seem to you.

Is the relationship you have with your mum worth the upset it causes you? I would consider whether going no contact with her would be better for you and your family.

I generally try not to make any conscious effort with her as its not reciprocated. I speak to my dad daily but I love my dad, he’s always been there for me and supported me. My dads told my mum before she needs to be careful as she’ll wake up one day with 1 Daughter and 1 Grandson less as I could quite easily strike her off and she just laughs at him.

My mums very tricky. People have tried to diagnose her issue as being ‘riddled with her own problems due to ill health’. I just say shes got 1st born child problems and she just hates and resents me for unknown reasons. It’s made me very unhinged at times :/. Iv had some horrible outbursts because of it all, and I see she was probably to blame for how I’ve been the older I get I see things differently.

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OnaBegonia · 12/04/2023 18:52

I'm now 18 yrs no contact with an abusive mother and it's great, I do not miss her at all.
Do not feel obliged to be in touch 'because she's your mum' you wouldn't tolerate her crap off a friend would you?

amiold · 12/04/2023 18:59

Does your dad not intervene and put her straight or does he stand back and let her be like this?

Suboo22022 · 12/04/2023 19:04

amiold · 12/04/2023 18:59

Does your dad not intervene and put her straight or does he stand back and let her be like this?

Oh god yes, my dads defended me a lot over the years. Unfortunately it normally ends in arguments between them that last days-weeks on end and I normally get the blame for coming between them.

OP posts:
amiold · 12/04/2023 19:05

It sounds so difficult. Maybe go low contact with your mum and keep in touch and do meet ups with your dad? He must know what she is like.

Suboo22022 · 12/04/2023 19:08

amiold · 12/04/2023 19:05

It sounds so difficult. Maybe go low contact with your mum and keep in touch and do meet ups with your dad? He must know what she is like.

Sadly he does know, he doesn’t agree but he can’t make her change. That would be up to her :/. Iv gone as low contact as I can, I don’t want to punish my child by stopping him seeing his Grandma but at the same time I don’t want my son seeing her hurt me constantly

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HappyMe6 · 12/04/2023 19:15

bloody hell she sounds unhinged telling you to fuck off how hurtful is she, I’m so sorry to hear how you have been treated over the years, she sounds completely bonkers, if my mum who is no longer here ever spoke to me in that way! I’d do exactly that and it’s the last time I would be contacting her over anything definately be a case of NC. You deserve much better ,

Suboo22022 · 12/04/2023 19:23

HappyMe6 · 12/04/2023 19:15

bloody hell she sounds unhinged telling you to fuck off how hurtful is she, I’m so sorry to hear how you have been treated over the years, she sounds completely bonkers, if my mum who is no longer here ever spoke to me in that way! I’d do exactly that and it’s the last time I would be contacting her over anything definately be a case of NC. You deserve much better ,

Its been very hard to recognise it over the years :/. I would often get told its all in my head!

My grandma recently said that argument I remember between my mum and my Grandad (her dad) was actually about how awful my mum spoke to me. My grandad strongly disagreed with her, he hated how she spoke to me (still does now but he cant say it due to his stroke). He defended me A LOT. I still remember my Grandad telling her to go home and That I was staying with them until my mum saw sense. My grandparents lived with us for 6 yrs and I always remember my grandma saying to my mum ‘you are far too hard on that girl. What on earth has she done wrong to deserve what you said? Shes crying out for your support and you just cast her aside..’

Does she listen to her own parents? No :/

OP posts:
Oblahdeeoblahdoe · 12/04/2023 19:34

She sounds absolutely awful. As I've got older I've realised I don't have to accept crap off people, relatives or not. If I were you I'd go no contact. Tell her she's not welcome in your home anymore and you'll only be in the same room if you have to be. That counts for your wedding too. You can stay in touch with your lovely dad and GPs. You have plenty of other people who love you and you don't need anyone like her in your life. Your DS won't be missing out and if he asks you just tell him that grandma isn't very kind to you.

whatwasIgoingtosay · 12/04/2023 19:37

You did nothing wrong and your mother was abusive. It was not your fault in any way. Remember that you are not your mother and you will not repeat her behaviour with your son because you love him and are aware of how a good mother behaves. But I would re-assess his need to see his grandmother. He will get by just fine without seeing her and it would be much better for you, too, to stop contact with her, if you can. Flowers

HappyMe6 · 12/04/2023 19:37

Suboo22022 it’s heartbreaking to hear how she has always treated you, if she had treated both of you the same ( obviously not good) but she’s singling you out, I’m so glad you have a good boyfriend and a lovely baby.the hurt I’m sure will never go away! Its not as if you can talk to her calmly and ask where all this dislike towards you has come from, doubt if she’d speak about it anyway, so glad you have a great dad, I don’t think she will ever change towards you love, I’d be focusing on my own little family. I wouldn’t be speaking to her again, she’s made her feelings quite clear for years hasn’t she, I’d do NC with her she’s not worth it, and still see your dad, you don’t deserve her in your life , you have given her ample chances

Suboo22022 · 12/04/2023 19:41

Thank you all for the support! ❤️ ill reply when I’ve sorted the baby out for bed! xx

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