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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

Should I invite my mum for Christmas?

28 replies

AugustaCarp · 31/10/2013 12:50

Don't even know where to start really. We've always had a very difficult relationship. As an adult, I can now see that my sister and I were emotionally and physically neglected. My mum has had her own difficulties growing up (was horrifically abused) and I don't blame her for my childhood, I have found my life a lot better since I cut her out of it between the ages of 21 and 28. She is very emotionally manipulative, and not being exposed to it has been great.

Despite this, I love my mum, and really crave a family life. I haven't seen my dad since I was 7 (DV), and she was adopted and no longer sees or speaks to her adoptive family (the family in which her advise occurred), so we have no one.

DD is a year old, and we got in contact just before I became pregnant. She's the sane as she always was, but does love my DD. She has very few friends, and I know that she'll be alone at Christmas (which no doubt she'll really let me know about, saying she can't think of reasons to go on, etc).

She lives 200 miles away, and is physically disabled (and poor), if she comes, she'll have to stay with us in our 2 bed flat.

I just don't know what to do. DH and I usually spend it on our own, snuggled up with lots of food and wine (his family are rubbish, but for very different reasons). He's not over joyed at the prospect of her staying, but he'd be okay with it. I know if I don't ask her to come, it'll probably really put strain on our relationship; I don't know if it'd survive another full break down. I desperately want DD to have a grandma and me to have a mum, but she's just so difficult.

I don't know what to do. Hmm

OP posts:
Matildathecat · 31/10/2013 13:10

Could you have her for the weekend before? Sounds as if you'll feel guilty if you do nothing. What about your sister? Can she do anything?

CogitoEerilySpooky · 31/10/2013 13:25

It rather depends on whether you - plural - think you can keep her under control for a couple of days. Important to have a strategy I think so that your DH feels as involved in the decision and the process as you are. Could you pay for her to stay at a nearby B&B rather than actually in your flat, for example? She's not going to turn into cuddly granny and it may be nice to wave goodbye to her in the evening and have time to do your usual thing.

AugustaCarp · 31/10/2013 13:32

Unfortunately no ones heard from my sister in a few years (she similar to my mum, but violent).

The B&B's an idea. I guess I could try and see how much it would cost, but I have a feeling it might be prohibitive over Christmas...

OP posts:
bakingaddict · 31/10/2013 13:48

How many days would she need to stay? I assume she would have to travel Christmas Eve or the day before. Could she stay Christmas Eve night and Christmas night. I would find it a bit soul destroying to send somebody to a B&B all alone on a Christmas night but I would then do a nice walk and Boxing Day lunch followed by booking her into a B&B for the remainder of her stay.

AugustaCarp · 31/10/2013 14:21

You mean one night in a B&B either side of her staying, baking? She can't walk very far, else getting out and about would be great. It's the being cooped up that I'm scared of!

OP posts:
loopyloulu · 31/10/2013 14:52

How would she get to you anyway? Train? Car? You need to consider the mad Xmas rush on the railways for anyone disabled. Will someone be driving her to you?

Is there another option- you go to her but stay in a nearby B&B? And all go out for Xmas lunch?

AugustaCarp · 31/10/2013 15:05

She can drive, but wouldn't get the train.

I think a BB with a baby wouldn't be any good, too much hard work (!)

OP posts:
loopyloulu · 31/10/2013 15:28

So she is disabled but would drive 200 miles on a Xmas eve or day before? That's very brave of her. Though if you are in your 20s guess she 's not that old?

For future reference, have you ever thought about booking a self catering cottage maybe midway or just somewhere nice? That takes the pressure off someone catering in their house and relatives can come and go as they wish.

I think you are 100% right to involve her in Xmas- life's too short to keep up family feuds and sounds as if she has loads of baggage from her past.

Is there any way she could drive on Xmas morning- my LD family have done this and roads are quiet up to about noon. Then she could stay just one night.

AugustaCarp · 31/10/2013 16:02

loupylolou, well yes, that's what she says. I know she can drive the distance as she's done it before, but then she says she can't walk very far (she has something wrong with her feet, apparently). She's not really one for being truthful so i always have to go on what she says, rather than shy objective definition of the truth.

Yes, a cottage etc is a nice idea, but would end up costing a lot of money I think (we don't have a car so would have to hire one for the week, and I'm guessing a cottage over Christmas would be high season rates).

OP posts:
loopyloulu · 31/10/2013 17:13

Yes a cottage would be pricey and it's unlikely you'd get anywhere now- they tend to get booked up months ahead.

In this case then I think the best solution is to invite her to yours but see if she would be happy to stay in a small hotel for a night then you all have your own space. 3 adults and a baby in a 2 bed flat is not going to be very relaxing is it?

Thymeout · 31/10/2013 18:11

I'd be wary of inviting her for Christmas, because you'll be setting a precedent. Your DH may not be that happy about it happening every year, particularly if it's not a great success. And how are you going to get out of it next year if you'd prefer to be alone? She's been used to spending Xmas on her own up till now.

It would be better if you could arrange a visit for a different time, not on a specific festive date. No travel problems, cheaper rates at a Premier Inn or similar.

I think Xmas puts an extra strain on a visit. Everyone expects so much and if it's less than perfect, there's the whole 'ruined our/my Xmas' thing because other people always ask if you've had a good one.

RandomMess · 31/10/2013 18:19

I agree get together but not at Christmas - too much pressure for it to be perfect etc.

Chottie · 31/10/2013 18:25

I agree with meeting up but not over Christmas. Too much pressure on you all.

loopyloulu · 31/10/2013 19:00

I just think it's awful to be what- in your 50s or 60s- and have to spend the day alone when you may want to be with your daughter and grandchild.

You don't have to set a precedent. You could do 1 year with her, one with the in-laws, and 1 on your own.

Thymeout · 31/10/2013 19:31

I agree, Loopy - but this is not your typical family. Op was estranged from her Dm for 7 years until recently. She says her DM hasn't changed.

She's worried that not inviting her will cause problems, but I think there is also a very good chance that things will go wrong if she comes to stay.

Re 'precedent' - Op's DH's family are 'rubbish' and it sounds as if going to them is not an option. There are many threads about people wanting to be 'just our own little family' this year, and the problems that result. Normally, I tend to disagree and think they should make the effort to celebrate as part of the wider family. But not in this case. Too risky. Perhaps build up to it if visits on less highly charged occasions go well. Perhaps something in early December?

loopyloulu · 31/10/2013 19:57

It's a hard one. DH and I never spent an Xmas with parents once we had our kids. We invited them here is they wanted to come. Sometimes they did, sometimes they didn't- but my parents are married still so they do have each other. I suppose I need to know a bit more about the mum to make a call on this one- ie does she have friends nearby, could she volunteer with a charity for the day (I think I would if I was alone at Xmas), does she even care about being on her own?

loopyloulu · 31/10/2013 19:58

I also think it''s up to her mum to make friends and not rely on family...for the future if not this year.

DontmindifIdo · 31/10/2013 20:26

It is a pity that so many adults cut out family members who are abusive and bullying, prefering this state to being in contact with that person, but then once they have DCs of their own they feel they have to have a relationship with them again to provide a 'grandparent' for their DCs, even if they can accept that person isn't a good parent.

OP, if you didn't feel guilty about your mum spending Christmas alone for hte last 7/8 years, don't feel that because you have made an effort this year she should expect to be with you. Who would she have spent Christmas with if you hadn't got back in touch? Is she friendless becuase she treats people badly?

OP - if you feel you have to do something, then go up with your DD to visit in December. Have "plans" at Christmas. You've spent 7-8 Christmases without her, she can't expect you to not have your own traditions and plans.

AugustaCarp · 31/10/2013 20:57

Thanks everyone. This is the thing - I don't even know for definite that she'd be in her own. Like I say, she's very emotionally manipulative. It might be true, it might not be.

OP posts:
AugustaCarp · 31/10/2013 21:08

Thymeout, you've summed it up perfectly.

OP posts:
ImperialFucker · 31/10/2013 21:13

I wouldn't do it.

I think you have to be a bit selfish here and look out for yourself. If she doesn't come to you, you and your family will have a really lovely Christmas. Your DD is one year old and her first real Christmas will be fantastic.

Your mum could absolutely wreck Christmas. It might rain the whole time and things will get very strained.

On the other hand it could go reasonably well and next year she'll want to come again. That time her true nature may be showing.

She neglected you when you were very young. If you spend Christmas without her, you are not neglecting her, you are protecting yourself and your family.

Don't do it. If you can't put yourself first, put your husband first. He's been looking forward to Christmas with just the three of you, hasn't he? Why shouldn't he have that? Why should your abusive mother's wishes take priority over his?

CookieDoughKid · 31/10/2013 23:45

Don't do it. Too much could easily go bad. Better to arrange a visit to come down day after Boxing day or Boxing night to be fair or another time in Dec when costs are less prohibitive.

CanucksoontobeinLondon · 01/11/2013 00:25

I agree with everybody else on this thread. Don't do Christmas, thereby setting a precedent (a) and potentially ruining your own Christmas if she gets up to her old tricks (b). Have her come down for a weekend in December or January. If it's affordable, have her stay at a B&B or small hotel nearby rather than in your own flat. If it goes well, she can always stay at your place on the next visit, rather than the first one (assuming all goes well, and there is a next visit).

And don't tell her you're doing so, but if she leaves on the Sunday evening, book the Monday off work if you can to recover from her visit. You'll probably be emotionally exhausted by the end of it, even if everything goes well. And be prepared for it not to go well. Hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Good luck!

AnySpookyWolfyFucker · 01/11/2013 00:28

"I desperately want DD to have a grandma and me to have a mum , but she's just so difficult.

I think this the issue you need to focus on.

You want DD to have the experiences and relationships we associate with grandmothers. Someone to take her to the park, or spoil her with sweeties, someone who loves and cares about it, perhaps especially someone with experience and wisdom. And in many ways you also want an adult daughter's relationship with a mother, that support, common sense, experience and love that an older woman who has already been a mum (and survived the experience!) who can cheer you on when things are wonderful and support you when they are difficult.

You like the idea of this person (or people). That is totally understandable, I think to some extent we all do - we are either glad we have her or sad that we don't.

The problem is that your mum isn't this person or people. Instead she is someone who wasn't properly there for you as a child - perhaps because she was badly damaged by her own upbringing, who still has issues as an adult. She isn't going to to be that iconic mother figure to you, nor that iconic grandmother to your daughter. Instead, she is hard work, manipulative etc.

So yes, if you had a mother figure who was lovely and kind and caring and wasn't going to make a visit at christmas stressful (well, more than usual festive stress anyway!), maybe someone who was able to help you with the cooking or present wrapping or shopping - or if they were too infirm to do those things, then if she was someone who you would still enjoy spending time with because she makes you laugh, makes you feel loved and appreciated. If your mother was like that, then yes it would be nice to invite her to stay. Nice for you, nice for her, nice for your DH and nice for your DD.

But if you invite someone selfish and hard work, someone who is only going to cause arguments and stress... that wouldn't be nice for at least three of the above people, perhaps all four.

You seem to have an accurate idea of who your mother is (manipulative etc). I think it is important to treat her as the person she is, rather than the person you'd like her to be (a good mum and grandma). I'm not saying that you have to drop contact if you don't want to, but I think that if you had just recently made contact with a different older woman who you had been out of contact with for years, who you knew to be hard work and manipulative, then you wouldn't be inviting her around for Christmas - you only feel you ought to because you are ascribing her with the status of a mother the person who you'd like to have in your life, rather than the person she is.

May I tentatively also suggest that those things that you would value in a mother for yourself, or a grandmother for your DD, that you find other ways of fulfilling those needs if it is likely that your mum will always fall short. It might mean doing some of the things you think grandparents would do as parents, or seeking to bring older women into your social life, perhaps neighbours, or through a church (or other relgious group if you attend/could attend one), or craft group, or some other activity/interest like a book, singing, history or writing group. (Maybe even the WI ;) ) Perhaps you'll find a regular childminder or babysitter for your DD that fulfills this role. If finding grandmothery type figures seems to difficult, then you might find that friendships that you can make with other mothers (through mother and toddler groups and other baby classes) might nourish that side of you that wants to feel connected to other mums, tap their wisdom and humour etc (Mumsnet is great for this, but in person is good too).

Sorry if that seems an odd suggestion, but when I lived away from relatives - before I became a mum even - I found that attending a craft group with a group of (older than me) women to be quite nourishing, in a way I hadn't expected (I was there for the crafts) and I also found that I appreciated my DH's family too. So I think there are things you can get from such friendships and relationships, that you associate with the role of a mother.

AnySpookyWolfyFucker · 01/11/2013 00:32

someone who loves and cares about her*

Volunteering would be another place to find older women :)