Is this emotional abuse?

[poorincashrichinlove]

A mother issue. I'm feeling quite down...
18 months ago we moved 3 hrs away from DM for DH new job. After living a very stressful 2 years apart following a redundancy & DH only able to get a job miles away, it was great to have my unit all back together again.
Relocating was hard but DD loves school & we live in a lovely area. We have settled and made friends and acquantences. We're tight as a family so all should be well, right?
Over 2 weeks ago we were busy when DM phoned. I said we'd call her back later but she insisted on phoning the next day. We were out and I didnt have my phone so I text DM the following day and apologised. The reply shocked me-spoke to me like a naughty 5 yr old child i.e. 'sick of my bad behaviour'...
Informed her that i didnt deserve her abuse & would be turning my phone off. Next day I asked DH to turn my phone on & delete anything that might upset me...
Havent heard from her since. I want my mum in my life but i cant allow her to treat me this way. Historically, there's lots of dysfunction and emotional abuse in the family & I keep my distance. DM manipulates and never apologises/admits fault-I do. I'm feeling so low but I know if I make the 1st move she will use it as a stick to beat me with. Sorry this is long.
AIBU or is this emotional abuse? What do I do?

I don't know if it's emotional abuse or not...sounds like a bit of a nasty overreaction on your mothers part and does sound like she can be difficult and not very nice. What do you feel you want to do?

Yes I think so. You didn't do anything wrong to deserve such treatment. You are an adult not a child. If it were me, I think I would hang on in there and wait until she contacts you, however long that may be.

To me, emotional abuse is a sustained campaign of behaviour that is designed to manipulate or control someone else's emotions and actions. If your DM has a history of being difficult, belittling you or trying to make you feel guilty etc then she could easily fall into that category. That you are three hours away sounds like an excellent move!