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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 parents are weird and I'm finding it hard to cope with...

106 replies

KingJoffreyFanciesDarylDixon · 09/04/2015 13:14

My dad is always angry. Always looking for stuff to get cross about. He's poised, waiting for me to fuck up.

He came round yesterday and immediately had a go at me for 'forgetting' to put my bins out. I had put them out, then brought them back in once they'd been emptied. Told him this - feck knows why I felt the need to defend myself. He then told me there was rubbish in one of them. Yes, stuff I'd just put in. Made me anxious - goes back to him going through my bedroom bin as a child and my mum going through the bathroom bin checking my sanitary towels as a teen (no idea).

He phones a lot too. Will often phone shortly after I've finished a nightshift or really early and then moan because I'm asleep. If I don't answer he keeps phoning. Takes it personally if I don't answer.

My mum is equally difficult. She's started letting herself into my home (going to look at getting new locks). If I've left something out she'll read it. I left a packet of pills on the side once and she had a good read asking what they were for. If post arrives when she's there she'll go through it, ask what it all is and hover around me trying to read over my shoulder if I open it.

(I think she's developing dementia. She's started making really racist comments. Something I'd rather not listen to.)

I'm a private person. Mostly because I had no privacy as a child. None. I was so anxious all of the time.

They also seem to come into my house and take it over.

Is there any way I can keep them at arms length without being horribly rude??

OP posts:
base9 · 12/04/2015 15:48

OP you really need counselling. Your parents have done a number on you. The thing about waking you us very cruel indeed and has not stopped despite you being 33 yo and in your own home with your own family. You must stop contact with them. Easy for me to say, but really you need this to end.

KingJoffreyFanciesDarylDixon · 12/04/2015 15:58

The panic is back now.

Went to bed feeling all clam and chilled and now I'm on edge again.

OP posts:
AlternativeTentacles · 12/04/2015 15:59

Ok you really need counselling. And to lock yourself down AND turn the phones off/vol down when you don't want to be disturbed.

5YearsTime · 12/04/2015 16:00

Utter loons... But it does show the steps that you took are working! They didn't get in! They will get the message..eventually...

base9 · 12/04/2015 16:04

Poor OP! Would a glass of wine or mug of warm milk help you relax and sleep? Make an appt with the GP during the week. They can prescribe you something to help you sleep and can put you in touch with counselling.

ImperialBlether · 12/04/2015 16:04

Can't your husband do something about this?

What would happen if he called them and told them to stop calling you when you were sleeping? To not let themselves into HIS house? How would they react?

RandomMess · 12/04/2015 16:05

They really are odd and cruel, FGS they have weekdays to see you so why pester you at the weekends????? It's them not you Flowers

KingJoffreyFanciesDarylDixon · 12/04/2015 16:05

True.

I've just hammered the bolt right across on the gate. Is stiff and hard to put across fully. I guess my dad just shook the gate until it came loose. That'll stop anyone getting in for now.

Will use my break at work to browse the B&Q website again...

OP posts:
KingJoffreyFanciesDarylDixon · 12/04/2015 16:09

We've both asked them not to call when I'm sleeping.

It doesn't go in. Or they'll say they thought I'd be up. The words don't penetrate. They just don't understand.

I only found out recently that them coming in upset DP as much as me. His own family lack boundaries too (like me he left home young and moved away). DP only really gets upset about stuff if it's upsetting me.

OP posts:
ThenThereWereEight · 12/04/2015 16:12

Poor you OP, what a head-fuck. Have you tried calling them at inconvenient hours? It couldn't make things any worse could it? Would they maybe then make the link?

KingJoffreyFanciesDarylDixon · 12/04/2015 16:17

They wouldn't make the link.

I honestly don't think they see me as a person.

Even if I did say (again) not to call me I'd get a PA comment along the lines of not knowing why I need to sleep that long. Which would just make me feel guilty.

They think I'm at their beck and call. If I don't answer they keep ringing. When I call back they moan that I didn't answer. If my phone is off or they can't get through they'll ask if my phone is 'broken' again.

I'm going to stop answering their calls and give it a full hour before I call back.

OP posts:
feelingdizzy · 12/04/2015 16:21

OP, you are not alone, your parents sound so like mine, its uncanny to see it all written down by somebody else. My parents have no boundaries, when I lived locally, they were always in my house(often when I wasn't there).However, they have not stopped now I have left the country, I have my house up for sale, my mother has keys to show people round. She emailed me yesterday to tell me she has had another estate agent in to value MY house and spoken to MY estate agent, that he wouldn't be needed !!!!
I know what you mean about talking to them, they do not listen, I have some news to tell my mother she will strongly disapprove, nothing bad, but not her idea. I am dreading telling her .Sorry didn't mean to just talk about myself, but just wanted you to know you are not alone.

AlternativeTentacles · 12/04/2015 16:27

We've both asked them not to call when I'm sleeping.

How about changing that to 'don't come around unless you are invited to by me as I don't want you creeping around the house whilst I am sleeping or not there. End of'?

Don't give it a full hour before you call back. Just don't call back until tomorrow as you are enjoying your weekend!

KingJoffreyFanciesDarylDixon · 12/04/2015 16:30

Oh, I'm not calling back today!!

I meant in general. Get them in the habit of understanding that I'm not glued to my phone.

Actually have s call block feature on my phone. Going to block their calls from Friday evening to Monday evening. Then they can't even try to wake me.

Bit annoyed with myself for not thinking of it before...

OP posts:
RandomMess · 12/04/2015 16:33

I have a much better idea...

The back gate - dig a very very very large hole in your garden by the back gate. Wait for them to sneak through it and then quickly build your new patio on top.

Sorted.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 12/04/2015 16:35

Do block all their numbers from your landline as of now. Same with your mobile.

Ultimately King it may well take some form of legal redress like an injunction to get them to stop harassing you in such a manner. Narcissistic people like your parents are only afraid of authoritative figures; you are someone they can control and they are not afraid of you. You are correct also in that they do not see you as a person in your own right.

KingJoffreyFanciesDarylDixon · 12/04/2015 16:40

I'm not really tough enough to dig a hole...

Just had to use a hammer to close a bolt!!

Grin

The situation is nuts. And now I'm knackered. If I hadn't seen that they'd both called and come round when they knew I had to sleep I'd be sleeping now.

Instead I'm awake and all stressed.

Ironically my mum is often telling me I should get a sticker for the door saying 'night shift worker sleeping'...

They're the only people who've EVER woken me up.

Hmm
OP posts:
Gunpowder · 12/04/2015 16:45

Goodness sounds almost like stalking. So sorry Joff. Sad

I'm glad your DP is onside.

base9 · 12/04/2015 16:52

I was surprised when your dh and ds appeared a little way into the thread. It is shocking that they stalk you to this extent when you have your own family! Let your ds and dh get involved in keeping them at bay.
hope you get some sleep, OP.

DisgraceToTheYChromosome · 12/04/2015 17:07

You're being tortured, you know. This is how prisoners were treated in the Lubyanka in the old Soviet Union. No privacy, constantly woken, persistent questioning out of context.

You need an injunction, nothing less will do.

Flossiechops · 12/04/2015 17:17

Gosh op what difficult situation. Have you got any siblings? Apologies if you've already mentioned it, I wondered what they were like with them if you have. I think you are absolutely doing the right thing by taking action, clearly words don't go in. It's time to take control Sad

base9 · 12/04/2015 17:31

Everyone shhhhhhhh.... maybe OP finally is sleeping. Smile

BorisJohnsonsHair · 12/04/2015 17:49

Would your DP be prepared to get a bit angry with them? To tell them NOT to call and NOT to come round when you're sleeping. That he's not happy about it and he doesn't want you upset?

Not saying you can't stand up for yourself, but if it's you they're taking advantage of then they might take more notice of him.

NeedABumChange · 12/04/2015 18:02

What's the checking the sanitary towels thing? As in just to know when you are on your period or counting how many you are using Confused that's possibly the oddest thing I've ever heard.

ImperialBlether · 12/04/2015 18:59

I assumed it was to check she wasn't pregnant, Need. I remember a few of my friends had mothers who did this, instead of trying to form a good relationship.