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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

My mother hates my husband (long)

955 replies

badtoworse · 15/09/2012 19:46

I don't live in the UK. DH is from the country we live in. Mum came to live here (divorced and then later my father died) some years ago in a house a short drive away. Soon decided it was a big mistake and that she hated it, then to complicate matters then injured her back and became really unable to manage living alone. We sold my house and we moved in with her. All coinciding with me starting a new business venture and DH becoing unemployed. DH has bascially been unemployed (except for a couple of short contracts) since then. When we all moved in together DS was 20 months (now 4.5) and we've since had another child who's 1.5.

Before we all moved in together I was about to go back after mat leave and all set up (at her suggestion) for mum to have DS while I worked and DH at work. DH lost his job three days before I went back but mum said she still wanted to come up in the afternoons cos she wanted to see DS. She (much later) claimed DH had sat on the coputer and let her do it all. He said (we had a big row about it then) he only sat on the computer while DS napped.

My business has been slowly dying a death so I'm going to be WOH from Monday (previously ran busness from home). Yesterday I had meetings all day. DH supposed to be looking after DCs for the afternoon while I'm out.
I told him not to let my mum do too much, to imagine she was not there as it's too much for her. When I came home I asked mum (who I saw first on coming in) how things had been and she pulled a face and said tell you later.
Asked DH if he'd let DS just spend the whole afternoon with my mum and he said, only a bit while DD asleep..she slept for almost 2 hours. Then I ask mum and she says that he'd sat on the laptop and told DS he couldn't play as he'd wake the baby up and she'd felt bad so spent 2 hrs entertaining DS while DH sat on laptop.

I was really pissed off as I'd asked him specifically not to do this and we had a row.

He says she's exaggerating and that he can't believe I'm questioning his parenting abilities/calling him a neglectful parent and talking about him behind his back. He says DS wasn't with her the entire time, he was in and out and he didn't tell him he couldn't play, just that he had to be quiet as the baby was asleep.

She says he's a lazy git and it's the same old shit as all those years ago, she's had enough and would go back to the UK if she had the money. They've been avoiding each other all day and I feel totally caught in the middle.

I'm so angry that he did exactly what I asked him not to but I can't stand this atmosphere, it's like I'm being asked to choose, my husband or my mother.

OP posts:
badtoworse · 20/12/2012 12:11

I am utterly terrified of any confrontation with her, hence getting shaky about a phone call. Keep trying to see it as a tantrum, that helps me calm down. How has she got such power over me, why does she produce such terror?
I see where DH is coming from, and indeed she may never speak to me again, but I don't see how it can be solved as how do I say to DS "you must not spend time with Granny in the afternoons"...and if I do she'll say she's being punished/excluded but if we go back to where DS can spend time with her in the afternoons, give it a couple of months (probably about Easter, when Db is supposed to be coming over) and she'll do exactly what she did this time and in September, or it'll be some other complaint and it'll all blow up again.
It is now exactly one week all this has been going on.

OP posts:
Aussiebean · 20/12/2012 12:16

She has the power because she started when you were a baby. You have been trained and in a way brainwashes into believing she is to be followed and obeyed.

That is not what a mother should do to her children. Can you imagine doing that to your babies? I am afraid of doing to my children what was done to me. Which is why have barely any contact with my mum

Aussiebean · 20/12/2012 12:18

Oh and really get bein terrified of her. I now refuse to be alone with my mum. I rarely see her. But when I do my fiancé is always with me. She is the nastiest when we are alone.

lizzypuffs · 20/12/2012 12:39

B2w Aussie is completely right. I feel sick sweaty and shaky on ur behalf. It's like a drug withdrawal. ..imagine that 've been addicted to valium all your life and you are now in rehab/detoxing. This first week is hard but it's worth it in the end. You are doing so well. Keep going.

DontmindifIdo · 20/12/2012 12:47

I think you need to damage your relationship with her in order to have a better life for your family. It's ok to decide you, your DH and your DCs are your priorities and she has to fit in with that.

OK, you shouldn't have changed the appointment, but you know that now. Make it the last "parenting" thing you do for her. She has access to a phone, she could call from the appartment just as well as youcould call from your house.

Little steps. Make your plans, something has to give, and you can't live all under the same roof without the relationship slipping back to how it was, and that doesn't seem to be working for you, your DH and (ultimately if the relationship between DS and DH is undermined) your DCs. It's more important that DCs have a good relationship with their father than their grandmother. Between the two, he is the one who's time with the DCs should be priortised.

DontmindifIdo · 20/12/2012 12:49

Agree with others, imagine if your DS when he grows up, he was scared to answer the phone to you, would you think that was a failing on your DS's behalf or on yours? Would you say "he is a bad son" or "I am a bad mother"

NettleTea · 20/12/2012 13:33

I wondered if she had managed to get to the appointment and has discovered it has been changed, hence the phonecall to lay more blame and accusations of 'interfering' at your feet. This is why you need to back off from anything to do with her.
I totally understand the fear. I have travelled round the world on my own, held down responsible jobs, set up businesses and taken appeals to court. I have raised 2 great kids but Im still scared of her at age 47.
As soon as she starts she seems to grow in my perception, and I shrink down, until she is a giant scary presence and Im a small child. As Aussiebean says, it started as a small child, and thats where you go when it all kicks off. I would get a copy of the book Toxic Parents, it gives you help in steps to take to protect yourself in these situations.
Can your DH answer the phone and give the messages needed.
Can you make sure he is there and he can speak for you both?
You need a united front, and you need only say that you are both in agreement, but not get drawn into the emotives. They often throw stuff into a tantrum which is wrong, and you start arguing about that, which is a distraction technique to take the discussion off course. Phrases such as 'I dont agree with that point, but its not what we are talking about right now' are useful. There are lots in the book.

1charlie1 · 20/12/2012 17:04

You are doing really well, OP. Keep strong! And please get a copy of the Toxic Parents book (by Susan Forward). Also, you might want to go back through this thread, and prepare yourself for the histrionic phrases your mum might throw your way, by copying down the responses that have been suggested by other posters.

Be kind to yourself. Your physical symptoms are a stress reaction to the habits you are breaking. The sun will rise tomorrow, even if you don't 'feed' your mum your compliance. (And if the sun doesn't rise tomorrow, I will blame the Mayans, rather than your 'defiance'!)

1charlie1 · 20/12/2012 17:07

I also agree with NettleTea re your DH running interference with the phones. Even your mobile! It is to your advantage that he is not a native English speaker - he cannot be drawn into emotionally loaded, nonsensical argument.

badtoworse · 20/12/2012 22:59

Right, well term has finished, so am off work now til 8th Jan. Christmas day next Tuesday..am hoping she'll stay away so we can have a nice, quiet time with DS and DD. Have no idea if she'll stay away or come back.
It's like she's become a stranger to me in this last week, it's all so surreal and I'm dreading what bizarre and horrible nastiness is still to come. It's been a week already but we're only one step on what is going to be a long long road.

OP posts:
HoleyGhost · 20/12/2012 23:09

It is a lot to come to terms with. Be kind to yourself.

badtoworse · 21/12/2012 07:09

I am noticing now how much more relaxed DH is..with me, with the children. I feel awful about what I've tolerated and made him tolerate.

OP posts:
badtoworse · 21/12/2012 08:55

Another call, this time to the mobile. I've ignored it and no message this time either. She's getting twitchy I think. I think DB's right, I think she'll turn up for Christmas. I think if she does and is anything other than totally contrite we'll try and get away for at least Christmas Day, maybe go to DB's flat ourselves. I'm determined not to have a horrible Christmas Day.

OP posts:
badtoworse · 21/12/2012 09:47

Another call to mobile...again no message.

OP posts:
Herrena · 21/12/2012 09:54

Perhaps she has realised that her tantrum is backfiring massively - you're all waking up and thinking how much nicer life is without her constant presence!

Stay strong Op, you're doing very well....

lizzypuffs · 21/12/2012 09:58

Well done for holding your ground. DH will become more relaxed with no-one watching him every move ready to jump on him. It shows how much he values you and children that he has been so supportive. Keep going.

badtoworse · 21/12/2012 10:08

She's back. Just passed her car going the other way on the way to present buy for Ds. Going to get DS his present then will have to face her. Hold my hand please.

OP posts:
1charlie1 · 21/12/2012 10:21

Forgive typos am on iPad. Stay strong! No apologising! 'the level of high emotion in our house is not healthy. We're moving out.' you don't need to present this as a victorious fair accompli, just a calm and reasonable response to the awful situation you are all trapped in. It is the logical thing to do! She's driving to and fro, she's capable of living independently. You, on the other hand, MUST live independently in order to protect your marriage and kids. It's non-negotiable. So proud of you for not answering your phone too.
Here for you.

1charlie1 · 21/12/2012 10:22

Fait accompli!

wheredidiputchristmas · 21/12/2012 10:24

Holding on tight.

1charlie1 · 21/12/2012 10:29

Even if she is totally contrite, I would be very, very suspicious. Your DH deserves to live an life unscrutinized by a judgmental MIL. Your family deserve better than the status quo. You don't need to live in the same house as your mother to pass muster. Ridiculous. You can afford to live separately. Please stay strong!

badtoworse · 21/12/2012 10:39

got present. Will have to go back soon. Have had to run to loo in shop and am shaky. maybe she's come for more stuff and will storm off again.

OP posts:
DontmindifIdo · 21/12/2012 10:39

Is your DH at home with her now then? Can you call him and suggest he and the DCs come to meet you ASAP.

Then remember, she doesn't need you to be there running after her, she's chosing to. You can chose something else for your life, it's not her choice.

badtoworse · 21/12/2012 10:40

contritr doesn't help it's gone too far. have to live apart now. might be able to salvage a rlshp at arm's length

OP posts:
badtoworse · 21/12/2012 10:41

dh is with me . she's in the house alone

OP posts: