Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

How to go No contact/minimal contact

25 replies

JeansandJumpers · 18/01/2018 15:20

Hello, I won't bore you with the backstory to my narcissistic mother, but about 7 years she said things so horrific that I said I didn't want to be in contact with her except if she was ill, for b-days and xmas, or if something significant happened. But that I loved her. Unfortunately, without apologising, in fact making it seem like it is ME who has been forgiven, I have been coerced into spending time with her (by golden child) and the abuse, though less blatant and frequent, continues. I have tried to maintain a facade that I can cope. But I can't. Her company and phone calls have my adrenalin pumping and I am in tears when I put down the phone. She may not be saying anything blatantly wrong but every story is about how much better other people are than me. I can't control the impact it has on me physiologically. I have said, numerous times, I would prefer if you didn't call me., unless you need something. IN fact when I answered this week I said 'whats wrong?" and she said, "does there need to be something wrong for me to call you" and I said "well yes" and she launched into soliliquies aboute the fabulousness of herself and other people's children. I was raging inside, and wrung out. To say I can't speak to you again will result in more accusations of me being mentally ill, and struck out of the will. Is there any point explaining how I feel? How do I go no contact/minimum without causing another nuclear attack involving extended friends and family? How do I minimise collateral damage? If this specific element of my question has been answered before I am happy to be directed to the correct part of a thread - I have been reading through but find a lot about behaviours of NPD and being NC, or decinding to go NC, but not HOW. Thank you

OP posts:
PricillaQueenOfTheDesert · 18/01/2018 15:27

I’m nc with my parents, long story but basically when I moved to be with the man who is now my husband I didn’t bother to tell them where I’d moved to. They don’t have my phone number and no way to contact me (other than email if they wanted to)

I’d start by changing your phone number.

PasstheStarmix · 18/01/2018 15:44

I could have written your thread. I’m actualy shocked how similar your situation is to my own. My DM is also a narcissist and also likes to tell me how great other people are. I’m a FTM and she’s been absolutely no support yet according to her it’s my fault as I had ‘distanced’ myself even though anytime I’ve seen her has been me arranging it! The woman literally twists and makes up lies to victimise herself in any given situation; in fact she’s very skilful at it. She then convinces herself that’s the truth and proceeds to call me to extended family (people I never see so they only have her side) then tell me how they all agree with her.

DM similar throws unjustified ‘concerns’ for my mental health in an attempt to eliminate herself from any blame. I cant feel tired or have an off day without medical intervention being needed.

We have never been close and since ds was born things have only got worse. If I don’t fall in line with what she wants and then lay down boundaries she will spit her dummy out and cause so much drama. I swear she likes the drama to be honest as she causes that much of it. She will gladly make a mountain out of a molehill and again it’s all her daughter’s (my) fault. She absolutely destroyed my confidence growing up and I still feel anxious now when she gets in touch.

DM loves to tell me how great everybody else is including people my own age with babies. I think she’s rather have these as her daughter! She loves to also tell me how great everybody thinks she is. She even went to great lengths to tell me DH how a younger man in a bar was chatting her up and this made dh uncomfortable to say the least. She had already told me the sorry and then will tell it again and again.

I went NC with DM but she didn’t respect my need for space and blew up my phone and got the golden child (my sibling) to persuade me to speak to her and oh how much she was hurting etc. I’m now in a situation where I feel bullied into seeing her and feel I have to let her see ds even though I don’t want to see her! As far as I’m concerned my relationship with DM is over and it’s a business transaction for her to see her gc. I know this is not how she views it though.

Sorry you’re going through this OP, Flowers

PasstheStarmix · 18/01/2018 15:46

my and story

JeansandJumpers · 18/01/2018 16:02

PasstheStarMix, thank you for your reply...even though I gave so little detail it seems you are i have very similar mothers! I don't know if you've noticed but my thread was accidently posted several times, I hope MSNT can merge them. I am shaking and in tears today, as I have personal disappointments to deal with, but no-one I feel I can share them with, and the repercussions of this weeks phone calls had knocked me for six already. It wasn't my intention to get into the nitty gritty of the ENDLESS unforgiveable things she has done or said, but I have to say, you sharing yours has actually cheered me up (if you know what I mean!). Its so good not to feel alone in trying to deal with this. I'm just scared to go NC as I know that will escalate the bad mouthing and so on...

OP posts:
Treacletoots · 18/01/2018 16:22

Ok!!! I could have written your thread too. However. I went NC about 9 years ago and honestly haven't looked back. No more stress at having to spend Christmas evenings with her (day time was reserved for her favourite niece, not her own kids!) Then kicking off because we declined to have an alcohol free lunch just to suit her.

Not giving good enough presents/showering her with champagne/flowers on her birthday, anniversary because she's the best mum ever (not)

Forgetting she kicked me out at 14 because, well I honestly don't know, so many things!

Anyway, go no contact. Change your number and if you do move don't tell her.

We did this and sadly this year I finally did something she was interested in, had our DD. We chose to stay NC after a lovely meet up with DF followed by a vile message from her. Leopards dont change their spots and nor do emotionally abusive parents.

PasstheStarmix · 18/01/2018 16:22

I’m sure MN will be able to merge or if not there’s a lot of duplicate threads for you to check.

Oh I’m pleased that sharing my experience made you feel alittle better and I do know what you mean. It just helps to know that you’re not alone on the dysfunctional DM front as i get sick of seeing mothers and daughter who are best friends prancing around everywhere! It makes me feel alittle empty and sort of annoyed that I didn’t get that! Then I realise it’s not the end of the world and you can chose your friends but you certainly can not choose you’re family unfortunately.

It has helped me tremendously having ds and realising I would never treat him the way dm has treated me. It really has made me see things ALOT more clearly. I think you have to be prepared and not scared (excuse the rhyming Shock) for your DM over reaction. You go NC and guaranteed she is going to react. The one thing narcissists hate is boundaries and they will kick and scream. She will want her own way and she will say and do anything to get it. I always find it helps to to be prepared for the drama (you can predict how she will react and when it comes true it won’t be a surprise.) I laugh it off to dh now and say oh dm is at it again. We literally predict her next move she’s that obvious. Most importantly be kind to yourself through the process of you wish to process with NC. You have to safeguard your own health and happiness.

PasstheStarmix · 18/01/2018 16:22

I’m sure MN will be able to merge or if not there’s a lot of duplicate threads for you to check.

Oh I’m pleased that sharing my experience made you feel alittle better and I do know what you mean. It just helps to know that you’re not alone on the dysfunctional DM front as i get sick of seeing mothers and daughter who are best friends prancing around everywhere! It makes me feel alittle empty and sort of annoyed that I didn’t get that! Then I realise it’s not the end of the world and you can chose your friends but you certainly can not choose you’re family unfortunately.

It has helped me tremendously having ds and realising I would never treat him the way dm has treated me. It really has made me see things ALOT more clearly. I think you have to be prepared and not scared (excuse the rhyming Shock) for your DM over reaction. You go NC and guaranteed she is going to react. The one thing narcissists hate is boundaries and they will kick and scream. She will want her own way and she will say and do anything to get it. I always find it helps to to be prepared for the drama (you can predict how she will react and when it comes true it won’t be a surprise.) I laugh it off to dh now and say oh dm is at it again. We literally predict her next move she’s that obvious. Most importantly be kind to yourself through the process of you wish to process with NC. You have to safeguard your own health and happiness.

Treacletoots · 18/01/2018 16:22

We've totally got the same mother issues. I've been NC for 9 years and minimal for about 10 before that.

So so many reasons. Always choosing other family members over her own children. Expectations of us to treat her like the perfect mother on any celebration ... Birthdays, anniversary etc and kicking off when she doesn't get what she expects.
Kicking me out as a 14 year old child, and I still don't know the reason. General bullying and constant emotional abuse such as saying 'you have a flaw in your character' when I was 10 and 'I love you but I don't like you'

Go NC. Change your number and when you move house, don't tell her. We did :) she has spent the last 10 years stalking and abusing me and my friends on various social media channels, with no consideration this is my job. but we're used to it now. I'll take this over having to put up with her shit in person!

PasstheStarmix · 18/01/2018 16:23

The site crashed and posted my comment twice; must be having technical issues...Hmm

Treacletoots · 18/01/2018 16:24

Sorry! Thought my first post crashed.... :/

PasstheStarmix · 18/01/2018 16:25

proceed typo

JeansandJumpers · 18/01/2018 16:31

Your messages, starmix, and treacletoots, are making me laugh. The no alcohol lunches, the showering with champagne and flowers, but it not being enough. It is text book. When I try to talk to real life friends they say shit like "but she is you MOTHER, I@m sure she isn't that bad" which just reinforces that sense of isolation and fear! I'm just at such a low ebb right now in general I'm scared to implement the NC because of the inevitable drama. FYI I try to avoid talking about this issue these days, I thought it was behind me, and I don't like 'dragging up the past'. But this chat is really helping. If I dwell on it alone I feel sooo sad, but this is comforting. Thank you. Sadlly I don't have children or a partner (and yes, I think a lot of that has to do with her - I won't go down that road!) and I do have a few old friends that know the score, but I don't want to bore them with my latest wobbly as they all hate her and just wish I wojuld cut ties while I find it a bit more difficult to be that finite.

OP posts:
PasstheStarmix · 18/01/2018 16:37

I’m pleased the message have made you feel alittle better JeansandJumpers. What you have to remember is no matter wnay you do you can never please narcissists. I recommend the book: ‘You’re not crazy it’s your Mother by Danu Morrigan. It’s helped me loads and I laughed out loud at wh examples she gives. Link below:

www.amazon.co.uk/Youre-Not-Crazy-Your-Mother/dp/0232529299?tag=mumsnetforum-21

PasstheStarmix · 18/01/2018 16:38

/s*

PasstheStarmix · 18/01/2018 16:39

*what

PasstheStarmix · 18/01/2018 16:41

*the

PasstheStarmix · 18/01/2018 16:42

the*

AttilaTheMeerkat · 18/01/2018 16:56

JeansandJumpers

Re your comment in quote marks that I have separated out:-

"To say I can't speak to you again will result in more accusations of me being mentally ill, and struck out of the will".

This is narcissism 101 from your mother. They always but always make such threats to cut people off. Anyway why do you want to be further obligated to her at all by promises of money that may never happen; she has trained you since soon after birth to serve her.

I would seriously consider blocking all your mother's ways of contacting you particularly if her phone calls make you feel so bad. You need boundaries and the problem here is that she has never really encouraged you to have any; she sees you as an extension of her.

People from dysfunctional families end up playing roles; yours is scapegoat and she has made you responsible for all her inherent ills. The golden child role that your sibling has is also a role not without price but your sibling is unaware of that.

"Is there any point explaining how I feel?"
None whatsoever. She is not interested in you.

"How do I go no contact/minimum without causing another nuclear attack involving extended friends and family? How do I minimise collateral damage? If this specific element of my question has been answered before I am happy to be directed to the correct part of a thread - I have been reading through but find a lot about behaviours of NPD and being NC, or decinding to go NC, but not HOW. Thank you"

I would suggest you read the website entitled Daughters of Narcissistic Mothers as a starting point. The links below re how to go no contact are also helpful to read:-

freedomfromnarcissisticandemotionalabuse.weebly.com/blog/going-no-contact-a-list-of-what-to-do-and-what-not-to-do

afternarcissisticabuse.wordpress.com/2014/09/01/why-is-no-contact-so-difficult/

I would also suggest you find a therapist who is well versed in the machinations of narcissistic family structures and deal with your own fear, obligation and guilt pertaining to growing up within such a dysfunctional family. This therapist must have no bias about keeping families together despite the presence of mistreatment. The first person you see may not be the right one but persevere. You need to find someone who fits in with your approach, interview such people very carefully.

The "well we took you to Stately Homes" thread on these Relationships pages is also worth looking at.

Treacletoots · 18/01/2018 17:02

Ahhh the old striking you out of the will trick!! My mother also said this to me, I suspect to provoke a reaction. I didnt react, undoubtedly this just pissed her off.

However I mentioned to my DF at latest contact and he said they didn't even have a will!! Proving she was just being spiteful and trying to hurt me.

Agree other people just don't get it. Because it's your mother they can't be that bad. Oh really. It's taken me the best part of 30 years to figure it out but now I can see, I wont turn back. No chance.

Treacletoots · 18/01/2018 17:08

Oh. Thanks for the book recommendation. Bought!

NC is very difficult to get your head around because that's how you've been conditioned to behave, i.e. her slave.

It's no coincidence that 4 months after going NC I also kicked out my useless, emotional abusive ex husband too. Finding your voice and strapping on a pair of balls is incredibly freeing. You'll wonder why it took you so long ;)

JeansandJumpers · 18/01/2018 17:11

Atilla - thank you for the very specific advice and links. I did start to look at "well we took you to stately homes" (which in itself I LOVE for how it makes me laugh, as that is along the lines of what I have been told!) but it seemed so much of 'me too' to wade through in my time of desperate need for immediate consolation (selfish I know!). Treacle, narcissistic mother has written me in and out of the will several times, apparently...surprised solicitor doesn't call time on it... Passthestarmix - no need for spelling corrections (I have too many!) and thank you for the link. I have read stuff before and it made me...identify/feel less alone/laugh...but today I needed real time, live, support, and thank you all for that.

OP posts:
Treacletoots · 18/01/2018 17:17

Grin glad you're feeling better. And always here for a chat about our narcasstic ( can't spell) mothers.

PasstheStarmix · 18/01/2018 17:33

Me too, always helps to chat.Flowers

OnTheRise · 18/01/2018 21:53

I haven't seen my parents for over four years and it's great.

I asked them not to phone me, to only email, and it triggered them never emailing me, and only phoning.

I used to shout at them when they phoned but now we just hang up and don't say a word. The calls have become less frequent as time has passed.

I can't stop them trying to call me but I can change how I react to them. I can't stop them bitching about me to other people, but I can stop getting upset about it.

Just stop calling them. Get Caller ID so you can know if it's them phoning, and not answer. When people tell you they've been badmouthing you, tell them you don't want to hear what they're doing or saying.

It gets easier, and life without their toxicity is great.

RandomMess · 18/01/2018 22:04

I am v low contact with my parents. No narcissist traits but ignored my emotional needs, abuse within the family that they somehow missed, very critical.

Ultimately contact makes me ill so I stay well away as to be a good Mum they can't be part of my life.

They have my email address and I live a couple of hours away. I am sad that it can't be different but the impact contact has on me is so detrimental it's the only way.

Grey rock technique works very well!!!

New posts on this thread. Refresh page