Bit worried about my mum

[lifesteeth]

I don't really know where to start...

My mum has always been known for being a bit "dithery" sometimes, I used to think she did half of it on purpose for instance she always says things wrong no matter how many times you tell her, when that "ello" came out for girls my mum would insist on calling it "eelo" and both me and my sister kept correcting her but she never said it properly, the other day she was talking about something she'd seen on TV and she was refering to "testicles" but kept saying "tentacles" no matter how many times I corrected her. Like I said I used to think she did it on purpose but I'm not sure anymore...

Today we were in a clothes shop, in the kids section (which couldnt have been mistaken for anything else) and I picked up a little blue t-shirt for my 6 year old son and asked my mum if she liked it, she replied "yeah it would suit you...", she was being serious so I said "no, for dan.." so she looked a bit distant and then asked "are you getting it for you?" then she realised what I was on about and made a joke of it saying she didnt know what was wrong with her today but she's always like it.

I said to her "I saw a skirt in french connection I wanted but it was £50 so I didnt bother.." so she replied "yeah, you have 2 to buy for as well so it works out more expensive for you". (refering to my kids)??? So I said "no, it was for me, a skirt...(my kids are both boys)" so she said "oh! yeah...is he a bit babyish like that?" ???? totally confused at this point I just said "what?? French Connection over there...(pointed to shop) I wanted a skirt from there...it was £50 though so I didnt buy it.." so she said "oh! I thought you were on about (my dp), ignore me, I'm in one of those moods today" but like I said she's always like it and lately it seems much worse, its like she's never really "switched on". When they were on holiday last week My grandma pointed out a huge bumble bee to her and my mum shouted to her DH "oh...come and look at this Blue tit..!" ?? you cant mistake a bee for a bird...

A few weeks ago she told me she'd got my sister some shampoo specifically for red hair...intrigued I went to look at it when I used their bathroom only to realise she'd misread the bottle and it said for "dry hair"

Are some people just like this or should I be concerned? she's 53.

My MIL regularly muddles up her words. I had to stiffle my sniggers while she kept referring to washing up liquid as "lishing up wokwid" over and over in the same conversation. She's always done it so that's normal for her. Her family have dined out on her malapropisms for years.

If this is a new thing for your mum then it could be cause for concern. Is she tired? When DH is in the middle of a stint of nights and not getting enough sleep her goes all vague and can't think of the right word for things, often saying something similar or related in some way. E.G. if he wanted pickled onions from the super market he would ask me to get some jam jars!!!(pickled onions come in jars!)

Is she stressed or depressed? That could make her be detatched and preoccupied.

I'd try and broach your concerns with her DH and see if hes aware of any changes/problems and take it from there. Perhaps talk to her GP.

lol madold....
Some people just are poor processors and users of language. Somethnig that as a salt I am very aware of.
In more serious cases,could be evidence of some sort of mini stroke....might be worth getting her checked out by GP.

Oh and the most side splitting one was when is when she recalls childhood holidays in Coverdick when she means Coverack!!!

I think at 53, her concentration and short term memory should be better. Try to get her along to her GP. Hopefully he will be able to assess her and clarify if she indeed has a problem.

Since going through the change, my mum has noticed a change in her memory and concentration. She says its ten times worse than the post birth fog that i had been experiencing (and still do to a certain extent). Perhaps it could be hormone related?!? Anywhoo i agree with Jalopy, it would definitely be worth a trip to the GP. Although if your mum doesn't see it as a problem and it isnt particularly hindering her life, she might not be as keen to get this resolved as you.