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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

not spken to barmy mother for 2 years - thinkin of seeing her, what do you think?

29 replies

Tortington · 28/03/2006 14:34

am going up becuase of my cousins 21st this weekend but was thinking of calling in on her and seeing if we can just let things lie.
shes a nutbucket for sure. but shes my mother and she lives 300 miles away. i think i have got over my anger at her last physical and verbal onslaught. she is so proud that she will never apologise and chances are the door will be shut in my face.
she has periods of paranoia compounded by tinnitus - which s bound to make her znxious and a lot of other things. this is also compounded by winter depression - not elped becuase as shes getting older she is more housebound in the winter. no medical or social services help despite my trying for two years.
it allstarted becuase i sent her a letter ( she doesn't have a phone becuase of "the voices") as i was upset that she hadn't sent my son a birthday card or any of us a xmas card. In this letter i said that she didn't have to put any money in it - just send a card. shes a miser with money and it makes her miserable. her paranoia contributes to everyone wanting something for nothing - including her money, and makes for an all round bitter woman.
i went to see her after the letter on my next visit and she threw the pictures of my kids she had up on the wall at me and called my kids some horrible things - which was really a go at my rubbish parenting. and proceeded to call me names for not arranging toget her heating fixed and such and then this petit women manhandled me out of her house! She is convinced my husband and i stole money from a house sale - despite the fact that the house was in her name, she signed all the documents and we had no legal right - or bank details to committ this kind of forgery or theft - and this was over 16 years ago. i told her to ask her solicitor about it and how it could possibly have transpired that we managed to swidle her out of 2 grand ( like its worth it for fuck sake) and if it bothered her so very much i would give her the money anyway. she forgot anything nice we ever did, how we looked after her in our home when she fractured her pelvis - and i had three kids under 5 at the time. how i bought her an airplane ticket for xmas one year to come see us becuase she had mentioned how she had never been on a plane. how i drove 300 miles to fetch her when she couldnt take any more of the voices - she stayed with us for months.
i know on other threads i have advised that sometimes family members are just not worth the hassle. shes mid 60's now and has no friends, no communication with anyone - she goes into town for shopping a couple of times a week ( or used to). she doesn't speak to any of her family members. and i'm worried that one day shes pop her clogs and no one will know until the smell permiates through the walls.
so, should i risk giving her a knock? she's my mum all said and done. and although i am still angry at her accusations and insinuations ( especially the things she said about my children - like they wern't worthy of a card was the insinuation)
so i think i can get over myself to go say hello - but the chances are she'll shut the door in my face - or not open it in the first place.
shut i open myself up for it do you think?

OP posts:
LadySherlockofLGJ · 28/03/2006 14:36

Blimey are you Rhubs sister ??

Tortington · 28/03/2006 14:38

obviously my mother is armier than hers - a fact she doesn't concede!

OP posts:
LadySherlockofLGJ · 28/03/2006 14:40

You have to do what you feel is the right thing for you.

If you call and she shuts the door in your face, will you walk away with your head held high because you tried, or will it destroy you ?

Do you truly want to get in touch with her or is just a recent Mothers Day coupled with the pressure society puts on people.

As GGGlimpopo once said,......... better to walk alone than badly accompanied. (French saying I think)

Tortington · 28/03/2006 14:52

i'd be gutted if i'm honest - as i think im the one who is showing willing. my dh told me to wait until just before i'm coming home - so it doesnt spil my weekend - i then have up to 6 hours int eh car to scrike all the way home!

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serenity · 28/03/2006 14:54

As an alternative could you make contact with one of her neighbours? I don't mean ask them to pop in or anything, but just someone who would be able to contact you if your mum is getting worse, or isn't seen for a few days?

Just to echo LGJ, if you do go you have to imagine the worst response you could get, because if you go with even the smallest hope that this time it will be better, it could be heartbreaking for you ( and yes, I know how tough you come across on MN, but this is family, and family know exactly how to hurt you best)

Tortington · 28/03/2006 14:56

yes your right. didn't really think about the neighbours. i may leave a contact card with them - post it through with a note that my mums not on the phone so if there is ever anything wrong how to let me know. yes good idea. thanks

OP posts:
MeerkatsUnite · 28/03/2006 16:19

Would agree with the suggestion to leave any communication you make with neighbours.

Would not contact your Mother directly - her behaviour is classic toxic parent behaviour and you have seen her rejection at first hand.

The publication "Toxic Parents" written by Susan Forward may give more insight into why such people behave as they do.

Tortington · 28/03/2006 17:52

any more?

thanks meerkat

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Tortington · 28/03/2006 18:00

squeeezy plse.

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Sparklemagic · 28/03/2006 18:07

would it help to send her a postcard just telling her you are coming up - to prepare her that you intend to pop round. Make it really positive so she knows you are forgiving and forgetting (!) the last time.

Then she's well prepared and has had time to think about you coming.

However I'm well aware this could go both ways and COULD just give her time to get angry and prepared to show it to you. I just thought she might feel too 'on the spot' if you just arrived.

I think you are a lovely person for even trying with her. I don't know if it's the right thing or not, but what I do know is that if I felt strong enough I would rather try than not, because I think I'd be more likely to regret not trying when she's no longer around. If that makes sense!

Tortington · 28/03/2006 18:16

yes it makes sense - thanks a lot. i might do that - it gives her a chance to ignore the door if she doesn't want to see me rather than slam it in my face. shes more of the ignore the door kinda person rather than a scream at me kind of person.

also her first thought would be that someone is dead - if i just turned up.

OP posts:
foxinsocks · 28/03/2006 18:28

is she in the uk?

I would go round - take her some nice groceries and shove your foot in the door when she opens it. Put the groceries in her fridge and if she still insists that she doesn't want to see you, leave knowing that you've tried and that she has some good food to enjoy once you've gone.

Having a mentally ill mother is incredibly hard work. Perhaps the best way of dealing with her is to have a set visit schedule - so tell yourself you'll pop in once every 6 months or something.

Greensleeves · 28/03/2006 18:47

I wouldn't go and see her just like that. I'm not speaking from the most objective perspective on this atm Grin but my advice would be that if you have to make contact, do it either by letter/postcard or via the neighbours. I don't think the huge emotional shock of a sudden encounter would be kind to either of you. Have you sorted out in your own mind what you want the outcome to be/what you're hoping for? Are you hoping she will be reasonable and you can have a calm, adult relationship, or that she will apologise? Is it likely?

Anyway as I said I'm not very objective, having just cleansed my life of my own lunatic mother - but good luck with it, whatever you decide to do.

noddyholder · 28/03/2006 19:02

How would you feel if it went pear shaped and she treated you badly again?My mum is similar but have never had a full on row with her although it is brewing which is worse.If you can let it go afterwards if you don't get the result you want then go for it Life is short and you need to do what you feel is right.It must be so lonely for her but it seems she hasn't had the help for her mental health but that isn#t your fault xx

Tortington · 28/03/2006 23:50

thanks everyone. i sent her a letter. i told her i was sorry ( i'm not in the wrong but i think i'm better than that) and told her i would be up early friday afternoon. i told her that i was writing letter so shewasn't shocked when i turned up and she could take a couple of days to decide whether to open the door or not. i said let bygones be bygones and lets have a brew. i said just in case shedoesnt open door heres an update to the kids and told her ds1 has a girly and dd1 has found an academic flair and ds2 isnt keen on school but is a good lad. told her my nan ( her mother who she doesn't see) is frequently ill but has occasional good days. and that my cousin is 21 on saturday. the signed it "love"

i'm going to be upset when she doesn't open the door. but i know thats what is going to happen. so i am prepared. AND i know i have done all i could possibly do. i may even continue to send her letters with pictures of the kids.

thanks for the advice. i took it - and will update! eek

OP posts:
Goodgirl · 29/03/2006 09:02

Perhaps you could write down a list of her possible reactions - then write against them what is REALLY going on (eg her mental health etc) and why she acts in such ways rather than feeling the pain of rejection. This might take the 'sting' out of any negative situation on Friday as you would be more intune with the TRUTH rather than anything she might project onto you.

Just an idea but forewarned is forearmed (or something similar, but ykwim).

Best of British for the weekend and dont forget to enjoy the rest of it!

Northerner · 29/03/2006 09:07

Hi Custy - just seen this.

Think you are doing a really great thing here and definatley doing the right thing. Really hope things go smoothly and you manage to ahve a brew with your Mum.

Take care.

expatinscotland · 29/03/2006 09:11

No. I'd let it lie. She has some very, very serious mental problems and she is also physically abusive. Imagine if she came at you w/a weapon?

FioFio · 29/03/2006 09:16

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Tortington · 29/03/2006 10:48

aww thanks everyone. - i'll let you know on sunday eve or monday

OP posts:
Tortington · 01/04/2006 18:11

just to let you know everything went fine - she let me in and we had a chat , it was all down to your suggestions ta

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soapbox · 01/04/2006 18:13

Really! Wow - that must've felt strange!

Was the last time mentioned at all or did you both just ignore it?

Did she ask after the children?

Sparklemagic · 01/04/2006 19:09

Oh good. That's really nice news and well done you must have been a bit nervous! Smile

Tortington · 03/04/2006 13:42

we ignored it. i told her about the kids, had a brew stayed for about an hour.

thank you

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HRHQueenOfQuotes · 03/04/2006 13:49

that's great news Smile