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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

Living under my Mums shadow, ruining our lives.

110 replies

sugarplumfairy28 · 01/06/2016 07:13

Sorry in advance this is most likely to be long winded.

I used to have a very very good relationship with my Mum. She would look after our children 2-3 days a week while I worked full time. If I didn't see her in a day we would call each other.

3 ish years ago DH and I decided we were going to emigrate (rent in Germany). We went to my parents to tell them of our decision. The plan then changed due parents needing to sell their house and wasn't going to be left with enough capital to buy in the UK. Long story short, parents would buy a house (specifically a 2 generation house, very common here) which suited both our needs. DH and I would pay household bills. The house in my inheritance.

So 2 years ago, we came house hunting, we found a house but it didn't meet mine and DH's needs. In the long run it could do, but even in the short term it wasn't good. My parents really wanted the house, and promised that certain things would be done within 2 or 3 months to make it livable. I took them at their word and agreed we would go for this house.

It's hard to explain, the house is 4 story's in total. Cellar, ground floor, 1st floor and 2nd floor which is only part converted. Mum has the cellar and ground floor. The only entrance is on the ground floor. The 1st floor is sort of split in two. There are 2 bedrooms off the landing, and a partition with a door, behind this door is our living room, kitchen, bathroom and one bedroom. This is what we have to live in. The children hate the door and both have expressed feeling isolated being in either of the 2 bedrooms. Last week, I single handily finished installing a kitchen (a gift from my Uncle), we have had work benches and no cupboards for 2 years, Mum actually had a tantrum because it's nicer than hers. The bathroom still isn't finished and is beyond my knowledge to do it, my Dad has given up. I have decorated the living room and all the bedrooms (twice due to a reshuffle) I feel that we have put up with a lot. We had no sink anywhere for 9 months, until one was replaced in the bathroom. The bathroom is mostly covered in bin bags to try and keep it dry. I had no oven or cooking device for 6 months, until my MIL got us a travel oven thing with two hobs on top and have used that for a family of 4.

My Mum has turned into a controlling and manipulative obsessed person. She constantly nags me about paying more than what the bills are, for reasons unknown. She screams and shouts if she doesn't get her way i.e apparently the garden is my problem (despite having no direct access to it) if the grass, which is around a third of an acre, isn't cut, edges and all, we get the slamming of doors, shouting and filthy looks until it is done. They go to bed very early (9pm) and complain endlessly if we are out past that. Mum has told me several times that we can NOT! have any more children, or pets. When DH is at work she talks to me in the horrific way. She completely take the children for granted but Mum actually has a go at the children for 'ignoring' her when my in-laws are over (who the children haven't seen for months). My Mum made a huge huge fuss for my brothers 30th birthday, for mine (in Feb) I literally got nothing, in fact I got a lectre about how it's no big deal, and that when she was 30 it was no big deal, her gift to me was babysitting the night before so DH and I could go to someones housewarming party, I hadn't been out socially since the July before... which was actually a BBQ we hosted and my parents actually offended our guests so much they left.

DH has a 3 hour each way commute and is very tired. Our children are not happy, I think partly because Daddy is basically a weekend Daddy and this constant bad air in the house. We are waiting for a call on a new job for him. We're not in a position to move out due to money, and if we do, I will lose my Dad (who isn't the problem but seems like a beaten down shell of what he used to be) and DD will lose her very special relationship she has with him.

I just need a friend, I feel so bullied and low in general

OP posts:
Creasedupcrinkle · 02/06/2016 18:42

Goodness me, you poor thing! You sound like you can't see the wood for the trees!

Dogolphin · 02/06/2016 19:12

You could put your stuff in storage, find out how much it costs to hire a removal van and team and how much per month for storage and put it on the list for saving up for.

You could look for somewhere to live that will take you all and your pets. Take your time, places do come up.

Save for your deposit and your removal costs and tick off the days until you can escape! You can do it!

sugarplumfairy28 · 02/06/2016 19:16

I will do it Dogolphin silly thing is, I know here, pets are much more accepted renting wise. I'm not lazy by any means and physically moving isn't an issue, we've done it before and it might be hard work, but it can be done.

OP posts:
Dogolphin · 02/06/2016 19:29

You just need a plan. You will both feel better when you have sat down together and written a list of things to do and money to save. Getting a new job will be just what your DH needs, if it isn't this one it will be another. Did you say you have a specific area close to schools? If so that will help the plan as you know where to live.

Can you economise on any of the bills in the mean time or does your mother have total control of those as well?

GlassBlobbery · 03/06/2016 07:28

I still feel that the reasons for the massive turnaround in your relationship with your Mum hasn't been addressed and to be honest, you all seem to be accepting it instead of actually saying "What the fuck has gone wrong here?"

In your OP you state that you used to have a good relationship with her. You are now describing a real (sorry) cow of a woman and this has no bearing on who you were describing before. What is going on? Something feels very wrong and your Mum could be poorly.

Yes, you need to remove yourself and your family from her insidious behaviour, but why does it seem that no one is bothered that you all previously got on?! Have I missed something?

Baconyum · 03/06/2016 07:50

I wonder if posting on the living overseas board would be an idea? Give the area dh works in and somebody might hear of a suitable property? 20 people looking beats 1 looking.

Also is there an equivalent of cab in Germany? Or some other way to get legal support? As I think legally your parents are your landlords and whether you think of the money you pay them as 'paying the bills' is a red herring. You're paying rent and she's changed the terms without your agreement.

Can you put physical barriers up against her bothering you in your space?

8FencingWire · 03/06/2016 08:15

I think you need to disengage with your mum. And no matter how much she bangs on about it, treat her as if she doesn't really exist.
Your first priority is saving money. Simply refuse to pay, what is she going to do? Cook strictly for you and the children, keep yourself to yourself.
Talk to the council, google all avenues and get out of there.
You might not see it yet, but I am pretty sure there is help out there.
Your mum is abusive. Your children don't need this. Get out of there as fast as you can and don't look back.

GlassBlobbery · 03/06/2016 10:12

yy to what Bacon said. Post on the overseas board - link this thread for better understanding.

GlassBlobbery · 03/06/2016 10:13

yy to what Bacon said. Post on the overseas board - link this thread for better understanding.

springydaffs · 03/06/2016 13:54

You can do this. You can move lock, stock - children, pets, guitars - when the time is right.

Soon! Please God.

sugarplumfairy28 · 03/06/2016 18:36

Well DH got the job! So happy, and proud of him. Now I feel like I can sit down and come up with a plan. We do have to get away from my Mum, and get some distance, but not at the expense of the things we have deemed important to our long term happiness. Thank you for taking the time to reply, I feel a lot better for having vented and have people confirm that I haven't gone completely mad.

OP posts:
springydaffs · 03/06/2016 19:01

Oh that's GREAT news! 🎆 💫 🌟

GlassBlobbery · 03/06/2016 19:11

Oh that's fab news. Well done to your DH! Brew

Dogolphin · 03/06/2016 19:12

Fantastic! You can do it!

Atenco · 03/06/2016 22:08

Just read this thread, OP, that's great news. Now get your plan in place, that will keep you sane until it is carried out.

I had an abusive grandmother when I was young, your kids will be a lot more settled when they get away from here.

Storminateapot · 03/06/2016 23:45

Excellent news. I do wonder if the complete personality change in your 'best friend' Mum is onset of dementia. But that's for your Dad to sort out. They tricked you into moving in with them under one scenario, when in fact they wanted to buy basic bricks & mortar, which were not suitable for your combined living, and then have you keep them completely.

You would be perfectly reasonable to go. They lied to you. They can sell the unsuitable 4 storey millstone, buy a little flat & do what they like. Ok you've spent money on it and you might lose it, but is it worth staying for? Write it off if you have to - the sun will still rise every day. Do they not have pension income at all? Where does that go?

Your children are quite aware of their toxic environment, be sure of that. Get them out. No need to leave anything behind, decide what matters most and make arrangements for safe storage. Find a property to rent that accepts pets.

You have no responsibility to chip in one more Euro to the support of people who can support themselves. If they disinherit you, so be it.

GlassBlobbery · 04/06/2016 07:57

It must be a great relief to you and DH being able to plan. How are things now OP? What are your plans?

sugarplumfairy28 · 04/06/2016 08:52

I think we're going to give it the weekend and let it sink in. DH is having a bit of a manic onset and is coming up with all sorts of things he wants to do, so it's not really the time to try and settle on a plan. Although one thing he has suggested is that we get a survey done on the house, we believe it's structurally unsound, and then in terms of parents, we all have a damn good reason to walk away, without arguing. Rather than them having any pressure to house DH and I, we can 'kindly' sort ourselves out, and they would be free to buy whatever they want without having to consider us.

I know everything here about my Mum is awful, but she is my Mum and as much as I want to get away from her, at some point down the line, I don't want to find out that I was the awful person who walked out on someone who wasn't 'evil' but was in fact ill. So because of that, DH's idea may be an option that perhaps leaves the door open to repair our relationship. But it's only one idea, and I'm sure DH will come up many others over the weekend, he has also seriously suggested we buy a boat...

OP posts:
WelshMoth · 04/06/2016 09:10

sugar fair play to you, you are aware of your DH's mind-set and you seem to be handling it extremely well. Yes I'd agree to letting things sink in especially given DH's temperament at the moment. Out of interest - how long will this particular episode last? Is he Medicated at all?

You're also acknowledging the possibility of your Mum being poorly. I think that's a positive step and I understand you not wanting to 'abandon' her. I think I understand that. Does your Dad recognise the change in her? Does he acknowledge it?

Getting a structural survey sounds a great idea - how easy are they to sort? What is your Plan B if the survey report shows that the building is 'sound' but in need of renovation for example (Disclaimer: I know nothing of buildings etc, just want you to consider a back up plan).

Re the boat - Hmmm. DH has frequent dreams of sailing away - very tempting but given his car-sickness history, it's a tad unrealistic Grin

gruffaloshmuffalo · 04/06/2016 09:34

Brilliant news on the job!

sugarplumfairy28 · 04/06/2016 09:52

Welsh he is medicated, and so the episodes are less severe, he has rapid cycling bipolar disorder, or more specifically ultra rapid. He can go through a whole range of emotions and states in a day! More recently though, it's lengthened to a few days or maybe a week, so given the importance of the news I expect this will last the weekend, with handing his notice in on Monday possibly sending him the other way if they put up a fight about it.

Dad has noticed but I think he'd possibly be even more in denial then she would be to be honest.

I'm not sure about the survey, they are easy to arrange and I haven't thought beyond that. I am however pretty certain it will show something. The roof is leaky, there is a very old, very large apple tree, literally right next to the house, and is coming out at like 45 degree angle, there is a sort of porch next to it, and the walls are cracked and damp, you can see the floor has been affected. So the roots are under the house. There is damp in pretty much one side of the house. So I'm certain a survey won't show the house in a good light.

My Dad is a yacht builder by trade, and so boats have always been a if we won the lottery dream lol.

We have told DS that Daddy has a new job and he looks so relieved, and looks more at ease. So that's been lovely.

OP posts:
WelshMoth · 04/06/2016 11:02

What have your parents' response been to his new job offer?

sugarplumfairy28 · 04/06/2016 13:02

My Dad was pleased, and I spoke to him alone outside about the concept of keeping our finances private, which he understood. Mum was happy, but then did start asking about pay, and bonus', but I had DH with me who told her it was 'enough' and refused to answer anything else. She said it would be better because DH won't be getting home late, and they won't have to stay up and wait for him to come through the front door.

OP posts:
PreemptiveSalvageEngineer · 04/06/2016 15:20

Congrats to HerrSugarPlum! Smile

OP, I know what you mean about possessions (and pets). They're not just "things" - if you lost them because of something avoidable like moving out without a plan, you would kick yourself for ages, and that's not good for your mental health either. I don't think the naysayers really get that.

Don't get me wrong, your children are the most important thing. Getting out of there is essential. Work your bits off to do it as swiftly as possible.

Best of luck. Smile

Atenco · 04/06/2016 18:22

Why do people have to take such extreme stances in regards to pets. If someone posts about a dog that bits children there will still be people who are opposed to having it pts, while at the same time, there are people here on this thread wanting to have this family's pets pts just to save a bit of inconvenience. Because forget about rehoming as it is usually about as hard to rehome a pet as to find a landlord who will let you keep them.