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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

I want to go low/no contact with my mother but …

18 replies

Lemongrass3 · 05/09/2022 14:38

.. she lives with us so I can’t. She moved in with DP and our three teens 6 months ago because she couldn’t afford the rental increase at her current place. It was meant to be a short term solution while she saved money but for various reasons including the cost of living and lack of affordable rentals we are going to be stuck with her for longer and I can’t stand it.

She’s poor. She doesn’t contribute to any rent or bills, only very occasionally buys small food items. We cook her dinners, she never cleans or helps with washing up but maybe that’s to be expected since she’s 75 (in good health though).

im also stressed and worried about one of the kids who has a serious mental health problem and needs a lot of support from me. She’s aware enough of this although not the specifics.

Despite all this last week out of the blue she had a screaming crazy pissy fit at me over something she was unhappy about. She did this even though she is living for free in our house. She did this even knowing her behaviour would add to my already existing stress worrying about my kid. she did this even though she knows it’s not acceptable behaviour to give a verbal spew of aggression to another adult, she’s done it to plenty of friends in the past and those friendships have ended. Although perhaps she doesn’t get that part of it, as her side of the story is always very innocent and the friend is at fault, but this has happened almost a dozen times over the past 20 years and she is the common denominator.

I’m just so over it. She’s used me as an emotional punching bag all my life and thinks that yelling like a crazy loon at another adult is acceptable behaviour.

I don’t even know why I’m posting, to vent I guess and wondering if anyone else has a difficult mother and how do they deal with her? A friend thinks my mother is abusive but I don’t think she is as she usually only gives her verbal aggressive spews at me once or twice a year and other than that she’s usually ok.

Anyway I’m being polite to her as I have to see her in the house all the time but my once peaceful home is now a place of stress. And I feel like an idiot letting her move in in the first place. I just want her out and if I never had to see her again I would not care. I feel too worn down by her, it’s been gradual but my main feelings for her are now just guilt and duty and reluctant responsibility and feeling sorry for her because she’s poor and angry and doesn’t get why her behaviour causes issues with others. It’s also not the first time since she’s moved in that she’s had a verbal spew at me, the earlier one was when we were waiting to go into a church for a funeral and I was so worried she was going to cause a scene,but fortunately we could calm her down before she got too loud and pretend everything was fine.

OP posts:
Lemongrass3 · 05/09/2022 14:38

Oops that was long 😬

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 05/09/2022 14:40

You moved her in knowing what she’s like, did you think there would be a miraculous change?
Was the rest of the family onboard with it?

Motnight · 05/09/2022 14:42

Tell her to present as homeless to the council.

Lemongrass3 · 05/09/2022 14:45

@Hoppinggreen yes and I was an idiot. She literally had close to 60% of her pension (not sure if you call it this in the UK but it is her sole income) go in rent. She was getting to,the point that she couldn’t afford bills and food. And it was just meant to be for 6months max. It was such a bad idea.

DP was wary but left it up to me because we thought we could handle it for a short period, kids are mainly shielded as she only screams if they’re not around.

OP posts:
Xpologog · 05/09/2022 14:45

75 and mobile, in good health, she should be doing plenty. I’ve a friend of 75 who does all the gardening, half the housework and even my disabled friend of 80 seems to do more than your mother, so she has no excuse.
Is there any other family she can live with? Can you contact the council, adult SS if necessary to find some supported living place for her?
You cannot keep her for the next 10, 20 years, that would be bad for you and your children.

FlipFlops4Me · 05/09/2022 14:45

Could she afford a tiny flat that you could help her move into. Can you afford to help fund her with tiny flat just to get her out of your place?

Lemongrass3 · 05/09/2022 14:47

@Motnight council don’t look after housing in Australia. She’s looking at retirement homes though but they have waiting lists for rentals. Plus right now we also have people living in temporary housing pods or tents because we had a bad flood a few weeks before she moved in that has wiped out accommodation options in the area too.

OP posts:
pixiecharm · 05/09/2022 14:48

she never cleans or helps with washing up but maybe that’s to be expected since she’s 75 (in good health though). *

I think most 75 year olds keep their homes up together.

Lemongrass3 · 05/09/2022 14:51

@FlipFlops4Me that was actually part of the reason why she moved in because we HAD funded a tiny new build in a complex. When we signed up,it was die for completion before Christmas last year. Then when she moved in with us it was meant to be June this year. It’s still only has basic site works and because of the flood and covid there are supply chain issues and problems get tradies. But that had been a solution that is part of the reason why it’s a mess because it’s not going to be completed any time soon.

OP posts:
Surtsey · 05/09/2022 14:52

She won't listen to you, so your DP needs to have words with her.

He needs to tell her in no uncertain terms that he will not tolerate her speaking to you like that in youy home, especially when you have given her a roof over her head out of the kindness of your hearts, and if she ever does it again then she will be out on her ear.

Lemongrass3 · 05/09/2022 14:54

With the housework, I’m not particularly bothered that she doesn’t do anything as me and DP would be doing it anyway, we vacuum the floorboards a lot as have a shedding dog.

OP posts:
goldfinchonthelawn · 05/09/2022 15:00

I think you need to have a very clear word with her. Tell her she must never speak to you like that again, or she'll find herself dropped off at the nearest hotel and she can find her own accommodation. Tell her you expect an apology. You expect her to help around the house in a small way and to contribute fairly to all bills - food and utilities. Explain that you are very concerned about your children who are your first priority and that she must under no circumstances add to your stress by having prima donna fits. These are the rules and if she doesn't like them, she can pack her bags and you will drop her at the hotel.

Lemongrass3 · 05/09/2022 15:00

@Surtsey she actually did all her screaming in front of him as well. I’m just glad none of the kids were in earshot. I think he was just shocked and chose not to say anything at the time as she was also ranting on at him for not saying hello to her in the kitchen the previous day and he didn’t want to escalate the situation. She pretty much screamed her piece then left the house. DP understands where I am coming from, and agrees with me but because she’s not his parent he’s less invested whereas I feel bad that I can’t stand her at all and wish that I lived a million miles away from her, when I should love my mum, but I don’t.

OP posts:
Lemongrass3 · 05/09/2022 15:05

@goldfinchonthelawn I agree, I need to set boundaries with her. It’s just ridiculous though that I’m an adult woman and I’m nervous about confronting her. My methods in the past have involved patting her down, apologising for whatever she screamed at me about, then avoiding her as much as possible for months which I can’t do at present. At least I didnt apologise to her this time, I was too stunned and embarrassed that she was behaving like that again. I also need to pick my time if I talk with her as I can’t have her screaming if the kids can hear.

OP posts:
Longdistance · 05/09/2022 15:07

She needs to learn not to bite the hand that feeds her.

Maray1967 · 05/09/2022 15:28

Tell her exactly that. If she bites the hand that feeds her, the food will be withdrawn.

You need to sit her down and find your voice.

‘Mum, the way you spoke to me yesterday was totally unacceptable. We do not tolerate shouting and screaming and abusive comments. We expect you to make some contribution to our living expenses and to help out. If you won’t then we will end this living arrangement. I am being very clear: any more kicking off and you’re out. ‘

You need to consider the other family members as well as your own need for peace in your home. She is extremely ungrateful to behave like this. Find your voice.

Practise what you need to say and say it to her clearly. She will probably be shocked if she has routinely trampled all over people but she needs to hear this.

Alternatively, just pack her bag and put her in a hotel for a few days and leave her to sort herself out.

Jamaisy82 · 05/09/2022 15:33

This is a very difficult situation. It's hard when it's your mam. I love my mam but we could never live together as we clash, we are fine in small doses together. You need to have a good talk together as this can't go on if you are unhappy in your own home.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 05/09/2022 18:24

Your friend is right in that your mother is abusive. I would read about cluster b disorders re your mother, particularly narcissistic personality disorder, and see how much of that resonates with your own experience of mother.

you would not tolerate this from a friend so do not tolerate this from your mother .

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