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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Due tomorrow and not speaking to my mum

26 replies

Birdy1991 · 29/07/2020 18:09

This might be a long one, sorry for a potential rant but it's playing on my mind and I'm really upset, this rift with my mum is ruining the end of my pregnancy and any time left I have just with my partner.

Since I found out I was pregnant my mum started being a little OTT with messaging, I remember getting exhausted mentally from it back in February. Since then it has just gone from bad to worse, I remember in April I didnt reply for over a whole 24 hour period (I refuse to be a slave to my phone, and the way I see it, it is there for my convenience to reply when I want, not the convenience of everyone else) and she asked me if I was angry with her? (like we are 12 years old). I told her she shouldn't expect a reply within hours, I am her adult daughter and that I was busy and doing things and couldn't she wait for me to get back to her without asking questions. It wasn't anything other than 'Hi how are you?' that she had sent me. Well she had a huff for quite a few days during which point I was very low and anxious, she has a knack of making me feel guilty. In the end my partner rang her up and said that I was anxious and crying a lot and could she speak to me because I didn't want to be in bad terms. I enjoyed the phone call and expressed I would rather communicate that way than via FB messenger which I find annoying, I don't really like the 'seen at' or 'online' function. Everything went straight back to normal and has been since. I have felt suffocated and harassed by the messages since. I am currently trying to buy a house and finish off my MA course for the year and she insists on banal and pointless messages to which she expects a reply instantly. I last saw her a few weeks ago and she said 'oh I do worry if I don't hear from you for a few hours'(??!!). To put this into perspective, I've had a really healthy and low risk pregnancy, have continued to work hard at my degree and get everything ready for the baby and been very positive even in the height of the pandemic. I explained again that phone calls every few days would be nicer than messages (sometimes I get five a day which are the usual 'how are you' type messages and don't require an urgent reply). I don't understand - I haven't lived with ehr for five years, I am a really independent, self-sufficient adult who can handle finances and the such like very well. It's frustrating. I asked her what she worries about and she says she doesn't know, it's just her anxiety.

Anyway, I was 36+5 yesterday and I had the usual morning text yesterday, I felt a bit rough so said I'm not feeling like messaging today, I have a headache so I'm going to turn my phone off for the day. I like to do this sometimes for peace and quiet. She then text my partner in the evening to say she was worried about me because I seem so low at the end of the pregnancy?! She has just made up an issue in her head that is not there. Apart from her constant messaging, I couldn't be happier. I got quite upset by this because she just didn't take my word for it that I was ok - it was a pregnancy headache for goodness sake. I told her she needed to give me some peace, quiet and space at the end of my pregnancy and I was trying to enjoy some time with my partner. I wasn't horrible but I was honest, which has now made me feel like shit. I would have rather had this conversation over the phone or face to face than bloody messenger as usual.
Not to mention the fact that she tries to give me advice on every little thing pregnancy related and is obsessed with me letting her know I am going into labour - but those are other issues. I feel like I am going mad. Can anyone else relate or had these over-anxious mums?
I feel down now that I might have the baby any minute and we aren't on talking terms. Sad I know she loves me but her anxiety and constant need for attention has ruined the last few weeks of my first pregnancy.

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Birdy1991 · 29/07/2020 18:11

My thoughts are that she needs some professional help for her anxiety.

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Prettylittlelady · 29/07/2020 18:24

To me it sounds like she’s just being a Mum and that she really loves you. I understand that it might be a bit suffocating but she does sound like she really does have your best interests at heart. She hasn’t done anything spiteful or unkind, only shown concern for her child’s wellbeing.
Others might see this differently to me but I have a lovely relationship with my Mum and since I’ve been pregnant I have found her a little annoying at times but my love for my unborn baby has made me patient and understand that to her - I’m that baby.

Birdy1991 · 29/07/2020 18:27

@Prettylittlelady I see where you're coming from, and I hate to sound ungrateful that she cares as such. I know not everyone has that. However she knows I suffer from anxiety and this is often to do with my phone and social media, so that I like to take time out from that and now I just feel forced and pressured to check my messages all the time.
I don't know where I go from here, really Sad. I just find the relationship with messaging unhealthy but any past attempts to break the habit and have nice phone calls have not worked.

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GoshHashana · 29/07/2020 18:30

Your mum sounds like mine, OP. Overbearing. Overly-invested. I had to ask mine to back the hell off. She was messaging multiple times a day, leaving food parcels outside my door (so creepy), and generally being a pain in the arse. When I asked her to stop, she went into an emotional meltdown, and my enabler father "stepped in" to tell me off for upsetting her. Fuck that for a game of soldiers. I have a baby on the way; I don't have the time or energy to tiptoe around an emotionally incontinent adult.

Birdy1991 · 29/07/2020 18:33

@GoshHashana incredibly frustrating isn't it. I may understand more if she didn't have a partner of her own and was lonely, perhaps. But she does have someone (I wonder what he thinks about it, or if he knows how much he messages?). Time to nip it in the bud before the baby arrives as I really would lose my shit!
How are things with her now?

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Prettylittlelady · 29/07/2020 18:34

@Birdy1991 as you’ve said that your partner has been in communication with her before - is it something that you can relay through him about how you’re feeling so you don’t have even more stress before the birth? I’m sure that you do want her to have a role as a grandmother but maybe she does need some clear boundaries that she must stick to if you are finding her behaviour triggering of your anxiety?
As what she is doing does seem to come from a point of care, maybe if you explain that she’s affecting you negatively and that may also affect her grandchild it might hit a nerve and she could back off. She isn’t going to be able to expect responses to messages once you’ve had the baby anyway because you’ll be otherwise occupied! I’m sorry that this is making you feel so stressed out during an otherwise smooth pregnancy Flowers

2020wish · 29/07/2020 18:36

Honestly she just sounds like a worrying, caring loving mum. They can all be a bit over bearing sometimes but I take it this is ur first child, so her baby is pregnant and it’s her grandchild. You will be in her shoes one day. I think u need to cut her some slack and put ur annoyance down to ur pregnancy hormones.

binkyblinky · 29/07/2020 18:36

She sounds lonely - my mum can be like this x

Birdy1991 · 29/07/2020 18:37

Thanks @Prettylittlelady.

Would a good plan be to maybe wait now as the baby is so close to being born, and then have a proper face to face chat afterwards? Hopefully it helps things change.

Want to just focus on my little one now!

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Ispywithmycynicaleye · 29/07/2020 18:37

Does she live far away from you? Is it something you could possibly chat face to face with her? It might come accross better than text and offer her more reassurance with her anxiety issues. I never had that issue with my own DM, probably the opposite but it does sound exhausting and having just done 2 pregnancies back to back I totally understand your need for space!!

Birdy1991 · 29/07/2020 18:38

@binkyblinky she has a really loving partner, and I haven't lived at home for years so no change in her circumstances, so I don't know. Maybe you're right though.

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GoshHashana · 29/07/2020 18:39

@Birdy1991 she's "behaving herself" at the moment, and to be honest I'm really enjoying not hearing from her so much. We've always had a very difficult relationship. There's a whole backstory I won't go into, but I've never felt particularly close to her. I think that explains the different reactions you've had on this thread. Women who have great relationships with their mums can't imagine being at loggerheads with them!

Birdy1991 · 29/07/2020 18:39

@Ispywithmycynicaleye yes that is my plan going forward. Should have perhaps tackled it before but it's so awkward, I hate confrontation and guess I thought if she could see how well I was coping she might relax a bit as the pregnancy has gone on.

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Icloud54 · 29/07/2020 18:40

Gosh this is close to home!
My mum is the same, rings at least 2/3 times a day and texts too. She's overbearing and quite invested in mine and my siblings lives.
I do feel sorry for her because I know she's lonely but I'm an adult with my own children and it gets too much sometimes!
I'm also pregnant so like to nap with my toddler in the day and she rang me twice working 90 minutes yesterday just to check how I was, I mean there's no need is there?

I know she means well and I hate upsetting her but it really annoys me sometimes.

Ispywithmycynicaleye · 29/07/2020 18:41

Sorry, just saw your update! If it's making you feel this down could you perhaps speak to her before the birth? Explain how you want the next few days to play out and tell her what you need from her? Might help her feel involved, like she has her role to play even if it is giving you space.

Birdy1991 · 29/07/2020 18:41

@2020wish I haven't given her any slack, I have been quite patient in fact. I posted because I wanted to know how to move forward to help our relationship and because I care.

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Icloud54 · 29/07/2020 18:42

**twice within 90 minutes

Birdy1991 · 29/07/2020 18:44

@Icloud54 that's slightly mad! How do you manage it?

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Bl0ndi3 · 29/07/2020 18:44

Just because she's being loving and caring doesn't mean that she can't be annoying to you OP. I think she's overstepping boundaries no matter how well intentioned she maybe and she's actually causing you stress which is ironic considering she clearly just wants you to be okay.

If it were me I'd extend an olive branch knowing that she's only trying to be nice but in the same breath explain that you appreciate her intentions but need some space for yourself and agree to a phone call every evening or every other day, whatever x

I have an overbearing step mother who will no doubt once they know I'm pregnant try to micromanage it all and she will be swiftly told
No and to back the hell off! Just because she loves me doesn't mean it's okay for her to be a pain in the ass!

Birdy1991 · 29/07/2020 18:47

@Bl0ndi3 thank you for not making me feel like I'm insane. I think that's a good plan, just need a few days to get my head clear!

Yes it's so ironic, our issues as mum and daughter is all that has really bothered me during pregnancy haha. I can manage the physical symptoms I've had!

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Bl0ndi3 · 29/07/2020 18:55

@Birdy1991 you're not insane at all, at the end of the day what matters during your pregnancy is you and your baby. Whilst your mum is obviously trying to help she is actually doing it selfishly wanting to satisfy herself that you're okay instead of listening to you.

Give yourself a few days and then maybe give her a call when you're ready to have the discussion, make sure she understands what your boundaries are x

Birdy1991 · 29/07/2020 18:56

Best plan, in the meantime, would it be mean to say I am enjoying the peace and quiet from my mobile? Smile

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Bl0ndi3 · 29/07/2020 18:57

Absolutely not haha you enjoy it!

LikeTheFruit · 29/07/2020 19:23

OP I really feel for you but it really does sound like she cares and is worried about her daughter. I'm an only child and had my first child this year and my mum has text me everyday since I told her I was pregnant. Pretty banal stuff most of the time and I'll be honest and say that it did annoy me while I was pregnant. But she was just worried. Funnily enough since the birth of my own haughtiest it doesn't bother me at all because I get it now!
Make an agreement for one message a day so you don't feel harassed. But you will appreciate the messages once baby is here, it felt at times that mum was the only one who would ask after me (not just baby)

Good luck!

sel2223 · 29/07/2020 20:31

There are probably a few that can relate to this thread (myself included).
I'm not particularly close to my mother but I humour her to keep the peace. Since the 3rd trimester I've had several issues which have eventually led to a preeclampsia diagnosis. This has made my already suffocating but harmless mother an anxious wreck and I.now have daily video calls with her where i spend most of it reassuring her.
I just keep telling myself I'm nearly there and crossing my fingers that she calms down a bit once baby is born!