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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

Would you forgive and forget?

7 replies

Slav80 · 10/10/2023 22:45

This is a bit of a long one but bear with me. I had my DD last year; a month before I was due to give birth, my mum, who lives abroad, came to stay with us to help with the baby. She didn't like living here, she was often moody, she said that she was here for the baby, not for me, this made me feel sad, she apologised but then she said the same later. I had a tough pregnancy, I desperately needed a mum, we had lived in different countries for nearly 18 years at that point, so perhaps this played a part too, but her behaviour during her stay sometimes made me feel lonely. My partner didn't get on with her because of this, one evening after the baby arrived she said the same thing again (bearing in mind I was recovering from a c-section and suffering from post natal anxiety at this time), he said that this is not a nice thing to say and it escalated to an argument. After that, my mum decided to go back home, she left on good terms with me, or so I thought, but not with my partner.
Just before she left, I had signed up for mental therapy for my anxiety as it was getting out of control, I couldn't be alone in the room, I lost appetite, etc., she knew I was unwell but after she left, she didn't contact me for 3 months, not even to ask about her grandchild, it was always me initiating contact. I felt totally abandoned, I can't explain it, I wasn't alone in the real sense, I had my baby and my partner but something in me felt really empty.
She saw us 3 months later, and she made it clear that she wasn't happy I didn't stand up for her during that argument with my partner, she called me ungrateful and stupid like him, this is despite the fact that she supposedly left on good terms with me. I decided to limit contact then on advice from my therapist, to avoid drama in my still fragile state. At that point, my mum still hadn't asked me if I was ok physically or mentally.
Fast forward 2 years, she's started to show more interest in my DC, asking to FaceTime, etc., she wants my DC to know and recognise her, now that my DC is more aware of people, but I feel like my mum doesn't deserve my DC.
I am fine now, back to my old self but she left me in my most vulnerable state despite the fact that I supported her for years emotionally and financially.
So my question is - would you forgive and forget? Or would you sort of rekindle the relationship but keep this at the back of your mind?

OP posts:
NeverWornACropTop · 10/10/2023 22:51

I might let a relationship of sorts continue, but I would keep her at arms length and stay emotionally distant. That kind of hurt would stay with me forever. I’m glad you were able to heal and get back to your old self Flowers

Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 10/10/2023 22:55

I would find it very hard to forget this.
At the time you needed her the most she failed you and turned it into a thing all about her.

You and your husband should have each others backs

Bluela18 · 10/10/2023 22:59

It's a really difficult one. They say you should forgive . Personally I think as she wasn't there for you at your most vulnerable time, never asked or showed any interest for 2 years, it sounds toxic behaviour. All of a sudden she wants a relationship but seems only as your DC is able to recognise people as her reason for this. Has she any regrets about her missed time and has there been an apology?She sounds like the kind if person who could display this kind of behaviour again in the future if things didn't go her way? If it were me, I'd keep things as you have got them now. Your mental health is better , which is fantastic. I think she lost the chance at being grandma when she treated you all the way she did for 2 years

Slav80 · 10/10/2023 23:04

Bluela18 · 10/10/2023 22:59

It's a really difficult one. They say you should forgive . Personally I think as she wasn't there for you at your most vulnerable time, never asked or showed any interest for 2 years, it sounds toxic behaviour. All of a sudden she wants a relationship but seems only as your DC is able to recognise people as her reason for this. Has she any regrets about her missed time and has there been an apology?She sounds like the kind if person who could display this kind of behaviour again in the future if things didn't go her way? If it were me, I'd keep things as you have got them now. Your mental health is better , which is fantastic. I think she lost the chance at being grandma when she treated you all the way she did for 2 years

@Bluela18 no apologies, and no regrets, she behaves as if nothing's happened. To this day she hasn't asked me about my therapy or how I did go through it all. The dynamics of our relationship has always been about her, ever since I was able to support myself, I have supported her too.

OP posts:
Thirdsummerofourdiscontent · 10/10/2023 23:09

Honestly she sounds like a very self centred woman. (My mother is very similar) from experience my mother did this and wanted lots of FaceTime until my kids got used to it then she just flaked. She has gotten more miserable as she has gotten older and now only has a polite relationship with my children. I think that’s more than enough, she is only interested is she thinks people are judging her.
I recently read about grey rocking and realised this is how I have always handled my family, I refuse to let them break me any longer.

Bluela18 · 10/10/2023 23:15

I'm sorry but she sounds very selfish and even now wanting to have a relationship with DC now seems to still be all about her. No care of her missed time or treatment towards you all. I think you'd always experience this seeing as that's how the dynamics of your relationship has always been. I think you did amazing to go through what you have despite how your mother treated you and great you are back to yourself. You , your partner and DC all have eachother and that's what's important

Takeabreather23 · 10/10/2023 23:26

I’d say your back to
”your old self”as she isn’t in your life anymore .
Your mum needs /wants everything to be about her when your at your most vulnerable and everything is about you (after a baby) people like your mum can’t handle it . It eats them up and they can’t hide it .

She will only do the same again .

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