Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

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

Her demands are overbearing.

171 replies

Sunflowersok · 03/06/2020 09:51

I need a rant about my mother, and how overbearing she is with her demands for me to take responsibility for her life.

She constantly asks for so much off people with a sense of entitlement that you her owe what she needs. She does not work. This was partly due to mental illness years ago but for the past few years she’s been making excuses not to. She will often, often!!! Play the victim. It’s like making up this victim scenario is what gets her by in life. I’ve tried helping her in the past setting her life up, getting a home for her. She has often had solutions to every single one of her issues but it’s like she enjoys playing the ‘poor me’ card.

She asks me a lot for money. Every week maybe. She lives with her son who is a few years younger than me who also is also entitled. He lives like a child in her home and rinses her. Will not cook for himself etc. He’s 25. He’s had so many job losses over his attitude not getting his own way at work I’ve lost count. At the moment he’s managed to keep one for the first 2 years of his life. He earns more than me. But for some reason barely pays anything towards her rent and he blows the rest on himself. If you need an idea of how much money He spends, over the past two years he Must be on to his fourth or fifth sports car. He will buy these, spend thousand on the insurance, pull them apart, kit them up, reckless drive, write them off, buy another outright in cash. Rinse and repeat. My mum is constantly asking for ‘scraps of coffee’ she is that skint. I know the first thought is to blame by brother for his shitty behaviour towards her, but she encourages it from him. I’m here working full time but having to feed my DD and run my home. Before I met my partner I had no savings at the end of the month as my income was stretched. She will not ask him for money because ‘He is only a baby’ and ‘but he works so hard for it’ or ‘but he has just bought another car so he doesn’t have any’ and instead expects me to fund her instead.

If I say no to her, she will make me feel so bad that I either give in, or she will send me nasty passive aggressive messages. I have called her outright once after she had me in tears for going on a night away with my partner to the theatre after refusing her a 100 loan. The night had been planned for 2 months and I wouldn’t have been able to go if I had loaned her.

She’s constantly asking for favours. Constantly. During lockdown it was ‘will you go to the shop for me’ or if you are ‘passing can you drop a scrap of washing powder off...’ (knowing full well i will just buy her a box, and if I say no, she will make me feel bad because it’s “only a scrap” of washing powder). Will you nip here for me. She knows I’m self isolating. She messages me every day with these demands. I live 20 minutes away from her so it’s a 40 minute round trip. I am working from home full time. I am homeschooling. She knows I can not run my daughter around here there and everywhere in the current conditions. Her son is furloughed at the moment but is ‘ Too busy working on his car’. She lives A 2 minute walk from the shop. She has no commitments.

She used to do this when I was working 2 hours away. I would leave the house for 6, get to work for 8, not Return home until 7 most nights. She would ask me to do a full shop for her on the way home from work, maybe twice a week, when I was knackered and all I wanted was to get home, get showered, put the washing on and eat. With the money she borrowed off me. She could have easily been shopping in that time I was working. If I said no she made me Feel bad because I was ‘passing the supermarket anyway’. She has often bitched about me to
her sister making me look like the ungrateful daughter. If I ignore her messages about favours, she will sent passive aggressive messages like ‘oh its fine I’ll just starve then’ or ‘I’ll hide from the bailiffs I’m sure they won’t find me’.

I confronted her after the theatre incident. She denied it all. And then it settled for a bit about the money, she never asked until Christmas came when she ended up getting a loan for a lavish Christmas of food and gifts, knowing she couldn’t afford repayments and would could just ask me to pay it back.

Yesterday she asked me to loan 40 for council tax as she was in trouble. I asked her how much she owed. She said 80 but she planned to pay a bit and then pay more when she could. I told her it might be better to ring them up and ask them to make a payment plan and put a few quid extra on her bill over the year to spread the cost, rather than borrowing off people and wondering where she will scrape the money up to pay people back. She said she will thInk about it. I gave her a perfect solution To her problem but she messaged back and said ‘I’ve thought about it and decided to pay the 40 now instead’. Meaning of my money. She had a solution for her issue and she decided It was my responsibility to pay it.

I don’t mind helping her out here and there but by doing so I am feeding in to my brothers lifestyle and their ridiculous head in the sand attitude to responsibility over their lives. I’m so very fed up. She’s been like this as long as I can remember and I just needed to write it all down.

OP posts:
Nearlyalmost50 · 03/06/2020 11:50

The very first thing I would do in this situation is stop your dd going to her two days a week. She is not an emotionally healthy or stable grandma and whilst your dd adores her now, and she 'adores' her whilst she is a little compliant thing (and as a way of controlling you), this may well not last. One day, your dd will start getting the messages, the errands, the other stuff - do you want that for her? I would get your child in afterschool club, pay a teen to babysit, anything not to have her there two days a week. I would pay visits (if you want) with you there too.

Why would your mum be exceptionally demanding and difficult to you, and not to your daughter? And would that be healthy and sensible anyway?

I think this is more problematic than you managing to wean yourself off constantly replying to her- as it keeps you in the loop, needing her phone, and so on. It is not worth it for a few hours childcare a week.

gutentag1 · 03/06/2020 11:51

I'm sorry but you do just need to be firm. She knows you'll give in, which is why she doesn't take responsibility for herself or ask anything of your brother. Just say no, it won't kill her and will force her to sort herself out.

Sunflowersok · 03/06/2020 11:51

My DD is 8. No I agree mama, you shouldn’t have to make up an excuse to say no.

I feel this thread has given me more strength to have more of a backbone. Thank you to everyone who has read and inputted on this bizarre situation I know it all seems very unbelievable, unfortunately it’s not.

Luckily, I’m in the position where I’m working from home and it will helpfully be like this for a while, so when she goes Back to school I won’t need to ask my mum to assist there. That will help greatly, she makes me feel like I owe her loads when she does anything for me.

I have posted before I think a while back but I got a lot of posters saying that I was very ungrateful and what’s a bit of washing powder and coffee now and then. And then the situation got a little better until Christmas. It seems it had gotten worse again now

OP posts:
saraclara · 03/06/2020 11:53

I’ve suspected a lot of what I have loaned her over the years has gone straight to him but she lies and denies it.

All the more reason not to continue doing this.

Next time she asks, say 'sorry, I don't have the money. You'll have to ask (son)'
And do that every single time. And if she says anything relating to him being her child/working so hard, simply say 'I am your child too, and I work hard. He lives with you, now it's his turn to help you' Every time. Don't deviate from the script.

Sunflowersok · 03/06/2020 11:53

Oh gosh whilst we are in the subject of childcare! I spoke to my mum and said if she feels like I don’t do enough for her I’ll arrange to put her in breakfast club and change my hours it’s not a problem. She got upset, almost cried, begged me not to take her granddaughters time away from her.

OP posts:
LivingThatLockdownLife · 03/06/2020 11:56

It's not about a bit of washing powder or coffee though is it. It's against a background of life long abuse.

Ultimately you didn't break her, you can't fix her and it's not your responsibility to try. No matter what other people try to lay on you. If they're so concerned they can pick up the slack. Bet they don't because it's easier for them to hassle you until you give in and go back to being the good little servant girl.

Recommend daughters of narcissistic mothers website if not already mentioned. Unless people have one themselves their advice will be at best useless and at worst damaging.

ThisShitCrazy · 03/06/2020 11:56

That's the hold she has over you. She can see DD at weekends when she expects nothing in return. You are paying her to look after your DD remember that

Thinkingabout1t · 03/06/2020 11:59

It's hard but you really need to cut her off for a while. Go very low contact and the moment she asks for money, say no and hang up. Maybe look for a good counsellor once lockdown is over or an online one for now

Good advice. I'd definitely try the online counselling as soon as possible.

HER DEMANDS WILL NEVER STOP. I can't stress that enough. You will never meet all her (and her son's) needs because they are infinite. OP, you have been very kind and generous to your mother, both when you had to take responsibility far too early as a child, and more recently when you have a child of your own.

You have to release yourself from this dreadful relationship, for DD's sake as well as your own. Yes, she will miss her gran now. But as others have said, your mother is grooming her to take over when you've been worked into the ground.

Sunflowersok · 03/06/2020 12:02

I understand this will be continuous. I know she will never change. I don’t think my partner is quite there with seeing it yet I think he believes we can train the situation for her to break out of the mentality. I know she won’t.

When I was younger my dad used to always say she was the most selfish person he knows. I didn’t understand at the time, but I see it clearly now.

She’s a narcissist isn’t she?

OP posts:
Sarahlou63 · 03/06/2020 12:02

Apologies if it's been mentioned up thread but would it be possible to make an appointment with CAB and go with her to get some external advice on what benefits are available to her and to draw up a budget? It would give you a framework you can refer her back to whenever she moans.

Alternatively next time she says she hasn't any money do a quick search on the make and model of your brother's current car and suggest he trades it in for a banger!!

SummerDayWinterEvenings · 03/06/2020 12:04

You say in this case it is too far gone.

Email.
Dear X
Over the years, I have listeneed to your abuse of me and my family but I have recently seen that I have enabled your behaviour towards me.
Adults support children. You are not my child. I have given you hand out after hand out and meanwhile my child and my family suffers.
It is not up to me as to how you and my brother who is an adult fund themselves but it is up to me to put an end to the situation for good.

There will be no more money hand outs -not today, not next year, not ever -under any circumstances. Any requests for money -will not received any reply -because the reply is now, no to ever single one. I have changed my phone number will immediate effect due to your verbal, emotional and financial abuse. If you wish to develop a normal mother /daughter / grand-daughter relationship I am happy to do this -in time. But for now, I am not asking to you for anything, please do not ask me for anything. Any verbal abuse, or abuse my email will result in me leaving our relationship as it is toxic for everyone.
Regards
Y.

Do not ask her for any favours. Do not engage. Do not respond to third parties. Get a new number, get your partner on board and do NOT ask her for anything or phone her or contact her.

If you sends you a horrific email -less is more. I have received your email. As per my email, I am now not going to contact you further, please do not contact me or visit me or try to engage in a relationship via third parties. I wish you the best moving forward and I hope we can both move forward alone.

Low contact will not do in this case -go zero at least for 6months - 1 year and see how you feel then after counselling.

SapatSea · 03/06/2020 12:04

What is it you want from your mother? She will never turn around and make you feel like you are a "good girl" and that she really loves you. She cannot give you the nuture/love/things society leads us to believe all mothers possess ("Who doesn't love their old mum, eh?"). You need to accept you cannot receive that from her, grieve and try to move forward with your life. It's heartbreaking but like many others you will never have a "healthy" parent experience from her. the best you can do is try to give that to your own child and you need to assess if having your M as part of that mix is healthy.

Just because your DD "adores" your M doesn't mean that your M is good for her. Many narcissists hold others in their thrall. In 15 years time your M could be leeching of her and she could be dancing to your M's tune. Do you want that?

Reduce contact until you can go NC. Think about moving away if you can. Read up on abusive parents and co dependency. Look at the "but we took you to stately homes " thread on Mumsnet where you will get great advice.

billybagpuss · 03/06/2020 12:06

Oh gosh whilst we are in the subject of childcare! I spoke to my mum and said if she feels like I don’t do enough for her I’ll arrange to put her in breakfast club and change my hours it’s not a problem. She got upset, almost cried, begged me not to take her granddaughters time away from her

This might be exactly what you have to do to address the balance though, she is justifying some of her behaviour towards you in her head by the fact that 'you owe her' because she's helped you out. The current lockdown situation is actually an ideal way to redress it as from September your hours could change and its just easier to organise it a different way. You could still carry on paying the phone if you wanted to, but it will no longer be an issue when the credit has gone.

Sunflowersok · 03/06/2020 12:07

After yesterday’s asking for 40 towards her 80 council tax arrears, She’s just sent me a text message About how cheeky they are upping the price of the ‘cheap fags she gets under the counter’ 😬

Impossible. She gets benefit help for everything. Even with my brother living there. I’ve never questioned to whether she’s claimed him as living with her or not, i don’t want to get in to that with them.

OP posts:
Hmpher · 03/06/2020 12:08

I don’t have any experience of this but the bit where you say she makes you feel like you owe her greatly whenever she does anything for you really stood out to me as strange and wrong. My own parents do a lot for me and never ever ask for anything in return. They regularly offer help in terms of having grandchildren, financial support etc and I mostly turn it down but they’d do anything for us. I think that’s pretty normal! I just can’t imagine how shit it must be to feel like you owe your mom because she helped you out. She’s your mom! I know my own relationship probably sounds grabby now, but i try to help my parents out wherever I can. They just don’t need much help with things because they’re not that old yet and financially comfortable with few medical problems. If their household is hit with illness I might go and do some cooking and cleaning to help out, I take parcels for them and go to their house if something is being delivered or fixed while they are at work, pick up prescriptions occasionally etc. And they’re always very grateful even though it is nothing compared to what they do for me. It’s normal to want the best for your child and help them out even when they’re adults (though I’m not condoning her behaviour towards your brother as that sounds very dysfunctional). Just wanted to reiterate that it isn’t normal to be made to feel that way by your own parent and you are right to be upset by it.

PinkCatty · 03/06/2020 12:10

Disagree. No email or letter. It will blow up in your face.

Just strong, firm, clear boundaries. Forever as people have said.

Don’t react. Keep contact neutral. If she’s really hassling or rude again, withdraw further. It’s tough op but what’s the alternative. Stick with it.

Zaphodsotherhead · 03/06/2020 12:10

I think you need to not need her.

Not just for childcare for your DD (which she is holding over your head, implicitly) but you need not to need her attention or her love. It's hard, she's your mum, but if you can free yourself mentally from caring about her opinion or her affection; if you can stop wanting to please her, it will be a lot easier for you. If she was just some acquaintance that you had who was constantly asking you for money, you'd have no problem saying 'no' would you?

So you need to start thinking of her like that.

SummerDayWinterEvenings · 03/06/2020 12:10

Stop engagning. Stop. You are doing this -you. You engage, that's causing drama -step back no drama. Done. Someone can't fight with someone if they block them / change their number etc. Good God -I'm stressed just reading it. Stop you are enabling her. Stop talking to her. Stop. Email - I'm not giving you any more money as above in my post. Just stop.

SunshineCake · 03/06/2020 12:12

Just because she is your mother doesn't mean you owe her anything or can't say no. Mine abandoned me so I don't know what it is like to feel this kind of hold but you are now a mother and your dd has to come before anyone else.

Sunflowersok · 03/06/2020 12:13

I think the ideal situation for me is to still have her briefly in my life but at a very very very far distance. I didn’t see her from ages 13-20 and I really struggled mentally with this, I had a hard time dealing with it all and accepting who she is. I used to look up to her as a child and she was my comfort blanket. The contact on some way has helped me put the past behind me - I pretty much saw my mum go from being a very kind loving person to just being a shell of her former self and I only started to work through this when I got in touch with her again. My Dd brought us back together. I’d be happy with a weekly or even bi weekly hello with her, I still care for the woman but I don’t want to be any other part of her life. I don’t want to be used and I don’t want to be felt like I’m responsible for yet another adult. I want to be able to save up for a house without being made to feel bad for not lending her a fiver of like you that is just ‘say’ there. I don’t want to go to the theatre and have a Much needed night away from the kids (my partners Dd is 6) Without her sending Passive text messages Which make me break down in tears. I don’t want to hear endless droning of how poor she is whilst she glorified my brother for getting a new sports car and congratulating him for paying off a few grand in debt whilst I’m still chipping away at mine slowly because I have bills to pay. I don’t want it

OP posts:
Sunflowersok · 03/06/2020 12:16

*sat there

OP posts:
squiglet111 · 03/06/2020 12:17

Just keep referring her back to your brother. Tell her to get him to set up a payment plan for council tax as his contribution to living there.

Just simple replies. "That's too bad, ask brother". She gives excuses about brother. "That's too had, ask him anyway"

Just repeat until she gets the message.

Have you ask your brother directly to give your mum money?

Deelish75 · 03/06/2020 12:17

Something tells me your mum will be fine, people like her often are. It's time to step back and allow your mum to take responsibility for herself. At the moment you are enabling her. Say no - you don't need to give an explanation. If she keeps pushing you tell her YOU (Sunflower) will end the phone call. Take control. It's nerve wracking at first - I had similar with my own mother, but it's get easier. My mum finally went off in a narcissistic sulk when she realised I would no longer dance to her tune.

Your mum has done a brilliant manipulation number on you. It's time to stop being manipulated. The feeling of freedom is brilliant.

Your mum - she'll be fine.

sunflowersandtulips50 · 03/06/2020 12:18

Everything about your relationship is based on money, you paid her to clean your house and stole from you, she calls asking for money, you pay her phone bill so she can contact you as she collects your DD twice a week from school.

Money, money, money and nothing else. Stop using her for childcare and stop giving her money. She isnt a good person to have in your or your DC life...

Wheresthebiffer2 · 03/06/2020 12:18

Without going into my experience/relationship with my mother, I wanted to tell you that when I first said NO to her, and meant it, it was so empowering. It felt amazing. I was 27 that first time. Before that I did whatever she wanted. Finally I said NO. And guess what....the sky did not fall..... (I thought it might, I trully did) But it didn't. Life went on, and eventually, after several months, I was able to resume contact with her, slowly, gently, on my terms. As an adult.