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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

Absolute nightmare being stuck between DH and DM

61 replies

cupcakesandrainbows · 20/05/2017 21:04

Help!

I can't take anymore.

My DM is driving me mad.

My DH is driving me mad.

Basically they don't get on v well and DH drives DM up wall and frankly, vice versa. DM is chronically ill and we nearly lost her last year, which nearly broke me. She's currently ok due to the treatment she's having, but for how long we don't know. She also has signs of possible dementia. Her house is a cluttered mess and we've tried to help her clear it and she's frankly gotten abusive with me for touching her stuff.

Anyway, I lost my DD 2 years ago to dementia. Which I'm devastated about. Terrified i could lose dm. Want to spent time with her when I can but am too depressed to sometimes.

Anyway she'll randomly turn up at ours and start criticising us for being messy. I've got a slipped disc, depression, anaemia and a lo who loves to make a house. I also work pretty much ft. So does dh.

The house next door to hers is on sale. She is furious dh won't move there and is currently having a blazing row with him. She said 'I want you both to be happy and not living like this in this mess but you both don't deserve it' and earlier had said my dh was 'not sharp' because he didn't want to move out of our current home for a multitude of reasons and cos it's just not possible to snap your fingers and just move bibity bopity boo.

Oh bloody hell I can hear them rowing now. I want to run away. I hate my life.

OP posts:
SuiteHarmony · 21/05/2017 00:56

I'm really sorry about your daughter. What do you mean you 'lost her to dementia'?

ExplodedCloud · 21/05/2017 01:03

suite I think here dd means darling dad not daughter

RunRabbitRunRabbit · 21/05/2017 01:15

She needs to go into sheltered accommodation. That's it. Tough if people gossip about you. Suck it up.

What was the row about? You agree with DH that you are not going to move in next door to your mother and that she is being unreasonable. So what is there to row about?

SuiteHarmony · 21/05/2017 01:25

Ah, explodedcloud thank you, that makes sense.

cupcakesandrainbows · 21/05/2017 08:21

Actually I'm confused and unsure what to do so I don't entirely agree with dh.

OP posts:
cupcakesandrainbows · 21/05/2017 08:26

I'm completely stuck in the middle

OP posts:
QuiteLikely5 · 21/05/2017 08:32

You are putting yourself in the middle.

You really need to explain to your mother that if she criticises you or your husband she will no longer be welcome in your home.

You cannot live your life the way someone else wants you to otherwise what is the point of being an adult?

I'm with your DH here.

Your life would be so much nicer if she wasn't in it!

Don't wreck your marriage in the name of your mother! She is dysfunctional and toxic! Just because she gave birth to you it does not give her the right to upset you infact she is the last person on earth who should be upsetting you!

RunRabbitRunRabbit · 21/05/2017 08:39

You are choosing to stand in the middle. You are not stuck there.

What are you confused about? What are your options? Specifically, if DH went along with anything you wanted happily, what would your preferred options be and why?

AStickInTime · 21/05/2017 09:09

It sounds difficult OP. You're stuck between wanting to spend as much time with your DM as you can, especially in light of losing your DDad recently. All really understandable. What I think is blurring the line for you is her unreasonableness; her change of behaviour, which could be linked to dementia. If thats the case it will get worse, not better, so you need to find the tools to deal with it. And to let yourself grieve the relationship you want with her.

You don't say much about the fights between your DH and DM, are they new or has it always been like that? It's hard to tell from what you've said, whether it's his way of trying to stand up against the unreasonable demands of someone with dementia, or whether it's a personality clash. But again, there's only a certain amount you can influence with other people, it comes down to grieving another loss; the loss of the peaceable relationship you wanted them to have with each other. That doesn't mean to say you sit back while they rip holes in each other, it's reasonable for you to say what's ok and what's not, and to remove yourself for your own (sanity) protection when they won't comply.

Is it reasonable to demand anyone moves house? No, of course it isn't.

Is it reasonable to criticise someone's mess when you don't live there, you don't have their struggles with bad back and depression etc, and you live in equal chaos? No, of course it isn't.

This is how you need to view every demand and argument set before you. I think it may help you to find out how best to deal with someone with dementia, or you'll run yourself ragged.

It's a hard situation and you have my sympathy. Life can sometimes be great but sometimes is so hard too. Flowers

OnTheRise · 21/05/2017 09:31

I'm not surprised you feel stressed. And I'm not surprised your husband is struggling too. Your mother, much as you love her, is not behaving reasonably. She's driving a wedge between you and your husband, and you can either allow her to do that or you can put a stop to it. In my opinion, the latterstopping heris the kindest and most loving thing you can do for both your husband and your mother.

I think your first priority should be to sit down with your husband and talk to him. Tell him you know your mother is being unreasonable and causing trouble. Talk to him about how whether she's aware of the fact that she's causing trouble or is only doing it because of dementia doesn't matter right now: what's important is that the two of you work out a calm, respectful way to deal with this, and then work together to enforce your plan.

A good plan might be for you both to agree on how much contact you'll have with her. Once you've decided (one afternoon a week, two phone calls, for example) then you tell her you're very busy and want to be able to focus on her when you do get together, so you're going to organise your time to make sure this happens.

She will, of course, object to this. So when she phones you at a time that doesn't fit with your plans, the first time you answer, tell her you're busy but you're looking forward to speaking with her on Wednesday as planned, and then you hang up. After that, you ignore her calls unless they fit in with the plan you agreed with your husband.

If she turns up at your house uninvited, you do not have to let her in. You can open the door to her and tell her you're busy, so can't invite her in, and then end the conversation and shut the door. Expect major kicking-off for a while, but stick to your guns.

When she does visit, if she starts criticising your housekeeping skills or your husband, or anything at all, tell her you're not prepared to discuss that, and change the subject. If she keeps talking about it, tell her you've said you're not going to discuss it but as she can't seem to understand that you're going to leave now, and then do just that. With no further comment. This is more difficult if she's at your house, but you can do it: tell her she has to leave, give her her coat, and show her the door. If she refuses to leave, then you leave. Do not allow an argument to start, do not engage in a discussion about whether you're being fair or not, just keep repeating that you want her to leave now and that you hope your next visit with her will go better.

The aim is to shut down negative behaviours as swiftly and easily as possible. And to put in place a plan which is bearable, and to ensure those visits you do have are as stress-free as they can be.

You and your husband can absolutely do this if you're able to focus and work together. You need to both have firm boundaries in place, to enforce them clearly, and to not allow yourselves to get riled up by her behaviour because ultimately, that costs the two of you, not her.

No, she's not going to like it. But she will learn that her good behaviours will be rewarded and her bad behaviours will result in a lack of contact.

cupcakesandrainbows · 21/05/2017 09:56

Thanks everyone for your advice and support.

I think DH is cross because we did a lot of work to her home so we could move in with her or at least stay with her but there are other areas of her home which are in dire need of a clean and tidy. She will not let us touch then. If we do she gets violent with me. So I've certainly left it well alone as I couldn't take anymore.

In an ideal world I'd like DH to agree to moving next door, if for no other reason then it's bigger than our current home and we could do with the space. Our current place has bloody asbestos and has had major plumbing problems and the whole time we've lived here I've been terrified the living room ceiling will collapse (part of it did once).

But moving house is not so easy. My LO is friends with the LO next door and they play lots. I don't want to take that from her. Also my Mum will drive us mad. However at least if I'm next door I can cook for her. She has to go hospital 3 days a week and is not eating properly and I'm worried but sometimes I can't drive food over to her and DH doesn't drive due to illness too. Told GP about food situation. My has capacity and refused all help so de nada. We tried to move in but she won't have it. So she's trying to get us to move next door. Basically because she can't cope with SIL living with her. Major personality clash and she has OCD about cleanliness and has it in her mind he's dirty. Even though he showers everyday and hoovers her home everytime he visits. Sorry for essay just needing to vent

OP posts:
OnTheRise · 21/05/2017 10:24

She gets violent with you? That's awful.

Don't move closer to her. Restrict your contact with her. She might have dementia, but she is also abusive and you do not need that. I'm sorry things are so difficult.

Mulberry72 · 21/05/2017 10:33

I absolutely would not move in next door to her, you think you have problems now? They will just escalate living so close to her!

cupcakesandrainbows · 21/05/2017 10:35

Thing is she's v ill. The violence happened as a result of a possible stroke and major physical ill health. It hasn't happened for a year.

OP posts:
cordeliavorkosigan · 21/05/2017 10:40

Do not move in next door. It sounds really hard, but sacrificing your marriage and things you need to do in your own life is not the answer.

RunRabbitRunRabbit · 21/05/2017 10:42

She would rather abuse you than accept help.

She has you driving food over rather than accept help.

She conned you into doing up part of her house. Your DH is ill, you are ill, your own house needs work, yet you gave up time and money to deal with her house so you could give up more time and sanity purely to help her. And she threw it back at you. How is she not under the patio?

She is not capable of making rational decisions, she has been violent, she is deeply offensive to you and your husband, she refuses help. She needs to be in a home. They can take care of her. You and SIL can visit. It will be much better for everyone. Why not?

RunRabbitRunRabbit · 21/05/2017 10:44

Your posts read like those of an abused child. Do you see that yourself? You seem terrified of displeasing her.

OnTheRise · 21/05/2017 10:52

I understand that she's very ill. But that doesn't give her the right to abuse you in all the ways she has been abusing you. If you move closer to her things will get worse, not better, because she will be there ALL THE TIME.

If she needs help, get her help. But sacrifice your own family's happiness in order to help her. It will make things worse.

TimeIhadaNameChange · 21/05/2017 10:55

Do NOT move next door, whatever you do. If you want to move to a bigger house there are others out there. Find one you like and that can be your home.

Yes, it must be disappointing that your mother's expectations are not being met, but times have changed. My mother expected my sister to move back home after university, and was terribly upset when she didn't. Her expectations had lowered when it came to me, but she would love me to move in with her, especially as I'm not married. It would be hell on earth. I love her lots but our views on life are poles apart. Among other things she lives in a show house, I live in a home, for example, I don't care if the washing up isn't done for a day or so, she gets stressed if it's not one immediately.

She found a house for sale a few years ago which she thought would be perfect for us, as the upstairs could be a separate living space, so I'd have my own bedroom and lounge. Expect I'd never be allowed to be up there. When I was living with her as a teen she'd yell on me if I dared to spend more than five minutes alone in my room, convinced there was something wrong. And as for "letting" me have blokes to stay, I could forget it. Obviously I'm a virgin as I'm not married (despite having a DP, but he doesn't come in to any of these discussions).

You need to stand with DH with this, make sure he just has a MIL problem and not a DW problem. Yes, it is difficult for you to be trapped in the middle but let's face it, your DM could make her life easier by accepting help, but she is choosing not to. That is NOT your problem. Don't accept the guilt she is trying to lay on you.

Food wise, you could either make up some meals to go in her freezer and then be heated up, or organise meals of wheels.

Every time she criticises you stand up to it, and if she persists, tell her to leave (after a warning) or, if you are at her house, leave yourselves. Do not let her continue. And the same for violence, but with no warning.

I do understand she is ill but I do think she's deliberately trying to manipulate you, and you can't let it continue for your sake and your relationship's.

ovenchips · 21/05/2017 13:36

You are all playing your parts in a very awful dynamic. Your mum is doing x each time, your husband is responding y each time, and you are reacting to both by ricocheting between the two. Stop!

Stop your participation in this awful dance. Stop reacting to them, think about what YOU want, what response you have, and what participation (or not) you want to have in this dance.

Find your own self in this. You are not your mum or your husband. They feel what they feel, but you don't have to feel it too.

I realise this is very much easier said than done but it would help you so much in your current awfully stressful and completely no win situation.

notanurse2017 · 21/05/2017 14:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Hissy · 21/05/2017 15:48

Tell your mum to back off!

You're not moving next door, she needs to either sort her own house out, or accept help.

Otherwise, you're out.

If your "community" feel so strongly, THEY can put themselves in the line of fire with her and her violence.

Basically people can fuck off with their interferring.

Go and back your h, now.

Your mum sounds like she'd benefit from social services help/assistance.

cupcakesandrainbows · 21/05/2017 18:51

I absolutely agree that she needs social services etc but she refuses and due to her having capacity there's nowt anyone can do about it.

OP posts:
RunRabbitRunRabbit · 21/05/2017 19:22

She only refuses social services because you do what she wants when she refuses. Leave her to it and she'll either manage successfully without them or start using them.

You aren't doing her any favours. You are doing all this shit because of your own issues not because she needs you.

PotteringAlong · 21/05/2017 19:26

I think your DH might be the one stick in the middle of you and your mum here, not you stuck in the middle.