Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

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

What to do about my mother

16 replies

dammiejodger · 14/11/2022 19:24

Name change as this could be outing. If any tabloids see this please do not print this. This is my life and I need help. Please don't put this on social media either Mumsnet.

I am one of three children of my mum, I am the eldest and have a different father to my younger siblings. Growing up I was close to my mum but when I got with my now husband things changed. I saw how his mum treated him and realised a mother shouldn't treat a child like this, she also got jealous and would say she was ill for me to go home etc. I grew up and was given regular 'good hidings'. I remember I got a brush tangled in my hair once and she hit, slapped and kicked me. She has drew blood. There have been loads more occasions. My stepdad has stepped in before and told her to stop. She gave me a good hiding whilst I laid in bed trying to get the duvet to wrap around me to cushion her blows, she did this in front of her friend and she called me the next day to see if I was ok.

I have come to realise over the years that she is a narcissist. She can't be happy for me, I can't confide in anything to her as she turns it round to be about her. She has alienated me from my grandparents, won't tell me why, I know it's her because my Nan told me and she won't tell me why. I used to be very close to them, my aunt is disgusted with them. My sister has cut all contact with her. I now have two children, and she ruined the day I came home with my second. She says I am a bad daughter, I may be now as I have put up a mental barrier because I can't let her in anymore.

There are huge health and safety risks as to why we won't go to her house.

I have always tried to be the mother she wasn't to my own children. I have never laid a finger on them. I will never emotionally manipulate them to how she did me.

Her latest episode is her going mad at me over Christmas. I asked her if she would like to come Boxing Day, to which she said no, ok fair enough. Then she asked if we'd come there, I explained why - she knows why. She is now saying I don't make the effort, I can't stand the sight of her, I don't make her feel welcome at my house. When she comes here she sits down on her phone with minimal interaction with the children demanding cup of tea after cup of tea. She has been racist in front of wider family members. When she comes to a birthday she makes it about her, goes into rants about stupid things. Yet when she comes I wait on her hand and foot.

I am exhausted. This may sound very trivial but it has been going on now for nearly 20 years. She goes mad, then there's radio silence, then she messages and it's like nothing has happened, then a few months go by and it's the same. I only have her in my life because of the children. My sister has a child but because of how she is she's drawn a line and has nothing to do with her.

Do I cut her off? Nothing changes. I can't go to her for advice, I don't have any support from her. She thinks the sun shines out of my brother's backside, he is a criminal known to and monitored by the police. If this was my sister or I she'd be up in arms.

I am very close to my ILs but after my son's birthday, she took them away in another room and was crying to them, they were frosty with me after that.

OP posts:
dogmama1 · 14/11/2022 19:34

Couldn't read and run ....

Absolutely, cut her out. Just because she's blood, doesn't make her family. She's abusive to you, mother or not, she doesn't have that right. Especially not now your grown with children of your own.
Be the example for them of what they should and shouldn't tolerate. It doesn't sound like she'd leave a big void in any of your lives.. misery loves company and for aslong as you allow her to keep behaving this way. She will.

Cut ties, have a wonderful Christmas with your kids and partner and whatever other family are kind and loving to be around. And crack on....

She deserves to be alone. She sounds absolutely horrible!

NiceGarden · 14/11/2022 19:34

In an ideal world you'd be allowed to shoot the cunt but as that's not possible the obvious solution is to take the same wise decision your sister took and go NC.
And get some trauma therapy.

dogmama1 · 14/11/2022 19:37

And as for the brother, it sounds like they're on the same wave length, probably why she favours him. He doesn't remind her what a piece of hair she is (sorry).

Get rid - you'll be happier and healthier for it. And I wouldn't believe any, I'll change speeches ether. If she still thinks this behaviour is acceptable toward her adult children, she always will.

determinedtomakethiswork · 14/11/2022 19:39

Cut her out completely. Don't be fooled by her being nice in a few months time when she comes crawling back. Make a list of all the horrible things she's done and said and when she comes back, read it. You do need some therapy I think, you've had a terrible time with her.

I would speak to your in-laws and tell them about this. Tell them the truth about your past, if they don't know already. Tell them that your sister has nothing to do with her. Tell them she idolises her son who is a criminal. Tell them she would do whatever it takes to make them dislike you and that's why she was talking to them that day.

hourbyhour101 · 14/11/2022 19:47

I know people say go no contact and it seems like a easy thing to say but to do is massively hard.

Have a look on the stately homes thread on here, you aren't alone.

Family doesn't mean they get to treat you like garbage.

Do yourself the biggest kindness and let go of the mum you dreamed about and deserved, grieve that loss (because it is a loss) and let her go (and try for lc if NC is to bigger step right now).

Sending you all the love ❤️

Brigante9 · 14/11/2022 19:48

Cut her off and find out why your in-laws have been frosty.

WeeOrcadian · 14/11/2022 19:54

Go completely no contact, it's the only way. Block her on all mediums.

I have gone through a small percentage of what you've noted here and I've gone NC with my birth-giver. I've never felt freer.

Do it. You won't regret it.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 14/11/2022 19:55

Cut this serial abuser out of your life. It is not possible to have any sort of a relationship with a narcissist.

if she is too toxic/difficult for you to deal with, it’s the same deal for your kids too. Look at YouTube resources like Dr Ramani.

Ultimately you need to grieve for the relationship you should have had with your mother rather than the one you actually got.

Thepossibility · 14/11/2022 20:15

I cut my dad and his partner off for similar. It's bliss. I see it as me protecting my children from toxicity.
Even if the venom isn't aimed at them, they see their mum twisting herself into knots to please an arsehole. That's not a healthy role model. I'm teaching my kids how to respect people and be respected.
To have boundaries.
Impossible with a narcissist.
You can't let her ruin special occasions, she needs to go.
If you can't do it for yourself, do it for your children.

dammiejodger · 14/11/2022 21:15

Thank you for all of your replies.

She paints me in a bad light to anyone, says how much of a bad daughter I am, don't make the effort, the list is endless.

She's angry at me for not visiting my stepdad in hospital recently, despite them having restrictions and me working and juggling childcare. I spoke to my stepdad daily, he is a saint to put up with her.

My sister thinks she is having an affair as well, it's all such a mess.

I don't know how I'd cut her out. We have said since the last gathering, son's birthday, that we aren't going to mix my parents and DH's family again, it is too much. I'm always on edge about what she is going to say or what mood she's going to be in.

DH's family are very close, birthdays and celebrations are a big thing and it's a big get together for such things, which is wonderful. But I think my MIL would find it strange how I would not invite her to things or see her. I have told my SIL in the past about things. My DH has even tried to tell his mum that my mum isn't as wonderful as she thinks. My DH tolerates her, but after the last time of her coming and having a racial outburst he has had enough. I do feel for him putting up with this for years.

I am very close with my sister and she doesn't understand why I can't just cut everything off.

I got in touch with my real dad a number of years ago, I don't know why the split, I can perhaps see why, she is very lazy and has an awful temper. She was not happy about this and said I was being horrible to my stepdad who took us on when I was 11, I had conversations with him about getting in touch and he completely understood. He is very rationale. But because of how she is and the couple of occasions where I have met up with him and her reaction, it is something I have left for fear of it.

I don't really grieve because I've not really known what a proper mother / daughter relationship is so I don't know what I should be missing. What I do know is, with my daughter, I will be there at the drop of a hat, I will pick her up from nights out happily - I would rather have walked miles home than call her in an emergency. I hated having friends round due to how she was. I will be there for my son and daughter equally.

I love being a mother and adore my children, I can't quite process why or how she has been like this with me as when I look at my own I just want to protect them, support them and be there for them.

At times I feel emotionally shut down from her but times like tonight when I know I need to make a decision it fills me with dread. I just tootle along waiting for her to text me in a few weeks as if things are back to normal.

My daughter is in bed with me now, poorly. I just look at her and wonder why someone could do this to their own flesh and blood Sad

OP posts:
dammiejodger · 14/11/2022 21:22

I am a nurse now, she used to be a nurse. Sometimes I think she is jealous I have gone further as I am now in a speciality and enjoy my job. It is very stressful and emotionally draining day in day out, and to have this to deal with as well. Not to mention a busy home life with two young children.

I have had the same friends since school and they have always seen what my mum is like. They have told my husband that they have felt sad for me over the years.

I know something needs to change. Day to day I am in my own little family / work bubble and function without giving her much thought then this blows up and it is consuming me.

I can function without her, I don't need her help and don't ask for it. And I think this is what frustrates her and makes her jealous. I know I am a better mother to my children than what she was to us. She did have troubles though, she worked full time as a single mum with us three, she kept a roof over our heads. But it didn't stop the beatings or name calling.

OP posts:
GhostBridezilla · 14/11/2022 21:26

Yea you need to cut her off. For your own sanity. She was and is a horrible person and until she realises and makes changes then she deserves no place in your life. Be strong.

GG1986 · 14/11/2022 21:43

She sounds awful! Cut her off, she brings nothing positive to your life and no happiness. Your children have their other grandparents on dh side.

Closetbeanmuncher · 14/11/2022 23:27

I feel for you OP

Its so hard mourning the mother you will never have, and even harder when they can still inflict repeated emotional damage. Read up on FOG (fear, obligation, guilt) it may help you make a decision.

You deserve happiness and should take whatever steps you deem necessary to secure that state.

💐

maddog1996 · 15/11/2022 00:01

I can totally relate to what your going through . My relationship with my mother has been so hard all my 57 years . She's always favoured my younger brother who does absolutely nothing for her .
I'm like you I look at my daughter and cannot comprehend being so horrid to her in any way shape or form .
Someone once said to me just because they are your family doesn't mean you have to like or be around them and it's so true .
Good luck in whatever you decide I really do feel your pain x

madmumofteens · 15/11/2022 11:27

Oh OP that's so very sad that your mother has been so abusive and continues to be so please try and go NC you don't need her in your life you are an amazing mum she will never be who you want her to be 💐 xx

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread