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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:
Anniegetyourgun · 12/01/2013 12:38

Congratulations, that's great :)

WeeWeeWeeAllTheWayHome · 12/01/2013 12:58

Ah, that's brilliant. So pleased for you Grin

pictish · 12/01/2013 13:08

HURRAH!!!! Grin

kyotokate · 12/01/2013 13:08

I have been lurking on this thread since it started ... OP I am a few years younger than your mother and also a retired teacher. I am APPALLED by her behaviour and if you were rude to her she really really deserved it (my own daughter would be a lot more than rude to me if I behaved like your mother OP!!). I am so pleased you are moving out ... Your mother seems to have "brain washed" you in some way and maybe a bit of distance between you and her will allow you to recognise that. Lots of Thanks Wine Grin

DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 12/01/2013 13:09

Smile Nearly there! Brilliant.

lizzypuffs · 12/01/2013 13:46

That's fabulous!

badtoworse · 12/01/2013 13:58

Going to try to move on the 24th as Thursday is the best day for a move cos i can have a day off work and then I don't work Friday pm. This week is pushing things a bit and also is one of the busiest weeks of the year and I have a meeting I can't change this Friday. Whereas the next week I can swap my Friday morning for one in March nd have Thursday Friday and the weekend. Ging to spend this coming week, cleaning, measuring up sorting out bills, working out what we need to buy (a shitload) and getting white goods delivered.

OP posts:
DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 12/01/2013 14:27

Physically tiring as it can be I think you will have a fresh burst of energy with this goal in sight. Whether you view this as an end of an era or a new beginning, it is ultimately revitalising.

AutumnDreams · 12/01/2013 14:30

Well done Bad. You have been an absolute star, and deserve all the peace and happiness that is coming your way. I understand your feelings of guilt, as thats how you have been conditioned to think. However, its the normal - and best - way of doing things, once you have a family of your own, to leave the parental home, and build one of your own. You are absolutely NOT doing anything wrong. In fact, as Ive said before, your mother is very lucky that you will still be very close by. So many of us dont have that luxury. Probably because we have always done the right thing by our children, and wanted only what was best for them. Go forward now with a clear conscience.x.

badtoworse · 12/01/2013 14:50

Thanks Autumn. I've never really talked about my mum to colleagues as I just find it embarrassing, the look at me like I'm mad and look a bit pitying, or maybe that's my overactive imagination. One friend I'd lost touch with a bit, spoke to him again recently as i heard his wife was pg. It came up about living together with her in her house and he chortled and said "Oooh, bet DH is loving living with his MIL, ha ha!" and he didn't know her or anything about the situation.
This morning she asked me to get her some diclofenac (which she takes in tablet form). As I was literally going to walk past the pharmacy on my way to the signing I said OK. Brought it back and she looked dismayed and said, "But it was the eye cream I wanted" (also diclofenac, for dry eye syndrome). I said, but you didn't say. she asked what time the pharmacy closed and I told her 1.30 (it was 12.20). I said, if you wait I'll be near the ooh pharmacy I'll get it then. do you need it today and she says "Yes, I'm desperate. I asked you a week ago." I said I don't remember that. I don't. Had to drive past the pharmacy on my way to the park so i got it for her, but it REALLY annoyed me. She has proved she is more than capable of the 5 min walk there and she's wanted this for a week'?? So, she can stand over an ice cream maker, do the laundry, carry in logs, make biscuits but she can't walk the the fucking pharmacy?? My arse. And the stupid thing is, it'd do her good...bit of freah air, she could pop into the little produce market next door, there's a bar next to the market she could sit in the sun and have a coffee..walk back the way she came or the other side past the jewellers.

OP posts:
DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 12/01/2013 14:54

Just a litany of complaints isn't it, she's quite capable of all sorts but it's a handy stick to beat you with. Hey ho, just go "Mmhmm" and ignore...

tribpot · 12/01/2013 15:39

Right, but it's not news that she's gaslighting you. I would instigate a rule that all requests for bits to be fetched whilst you're out are written down, so that 'no-one need forget' - and also so once you're gone she can make a note of help she needs when she thinks of it.

Alternatively I would just say "well, I don't have time to go again but I can go to the OOH later if you don't fancy the walk down to the pharmacy" and then shut the conversation down before she can go on about how totally impossible it is for her to get there (despite the wealth of evidence to the contrary).

badtoworse · 12/01/2013 15:47

ooh I like that idea about writing down tribpot. Wish I'd thought of your pharmacy response too.

OP posts:
tribpot · 12/01/2013 15:50

Hindsight is a wonderful thing - and hindsight on someone else's dilemma on an internet forum is even easier Grin

However - there's always next time. And, god knows, there will be a next time. I think looking for solutions will help you (and stop her from gaining any ground).

AutumnDreams · 12/01/2013 16:55

bit of freah air, she could pop into the little produce market next door, there's a bar next to the market she could sit in the sun and have a coffee..walk back the way she came or the other side past the jewellers.

This has me drooling with envy Bad. The woman doesnt know shes bloody born! I had finally decided - after much discussion with my two sons - that I would move to my beloved Southern Spain, when the economy in both countries got so bad that I had to have a big re-think. I`m there in a few weeks though, and again a couple of times, later in the year.

DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 12/01/2013 17:10

Yes that sounds very enticing and having your lovely DD and her family practically on the doorstep and DS in regular contact, she is pretty well off.

Anniegetyourgun · 12/01/2013 17:12

I'd bet a house to a tube of eye cream she never asked you for it last week. That might go some way towards explaining why you don't remember Grin

DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 12/01/2013 17:14

In fact if she stops trying to control you and putting a spanner in the works she will still see plenty of her GDCs and you will be amenable to seeing her, win win.

pictish · 12/01/2013 17:15

I agree Donkeys - it does sound cushty doesn't it?

Unfortunately, nothing less than being the priority at all times, and getting her own way over every little thing, will suit this spoiled and manipulative woman.

She doesn't know a good thing when she has it. She doesn't want to.
Professional victims...aren't they great?

Herrena · 12/01/2013 19:05

Late arrival to the good news - WHOO HOO!!! Wonderful Grin

Of course she never asked you for medicine last week. If you believe that then you'll believe anything!

Oh and I'd stop dwelling on her logical inconsistencies if I were you, or you'll never have a rest again ever. I do this with my mother (dwell, I mean) and have concluded that it's the wrong approach because we both end up infuriated.... sigh. Never mind, you're moving out!!!

Bossybritches22 · 12/01/2013 21:04

Yehah!

How soon can you get things done & move in? Grin

badtoworse · 12/01/2013 21:16

Realistically the 24th Bossy as have a really heavy work week next week, so going to get as much ready as poss this week and then get movers in for a quote next Saturday probably.
Currently looking at the credit crunch threads on MN as we'll have to really really tighten our belts and, even then we'll probably be eating into savings until DH finds work or I get a promotion, neither of which are particularly likely right now.

OP posts:
Aussiebean · 12/01/2013 21:26

Go Op. so excites for you and your families new adventure.

tribpot · 12/01/2013 22:05

You'll obviously want to be careful of those savings, badtoworse, but life is for living. That money buys you freedom

HappyNewHissy · 13/01/2013 17:11

I am so happy for you love! Well done, stay strong!

I think that as soon as you are out of that horrible atmosphere, things will change for you both.