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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

AIBU to think DM is being controlling?

19 replies

BiscuitQueen1 · 25/02/2024 12:37

DM fell out with her brother some years ago, I’ve never known the full situation, but know that some comments were exchanged and DM now hates his guts.

Fast forward a few years, my DN recently passed and DM asked whether myself and my siblings would be associating with my uncle at the funeral, speaking and smiling etc. I said I would be polite and don’t want there to be a scene. Because we said we wouldn’t be outright ignoring them or not making eye contact, she decided she couldn’t cope with going and didn’t attend (if we agreed to this, she made clear she would have attended).

DM’s brother arranged a small wake, myself and siblings (as well as most of my extended family) attended. My uncle and cousins were all very polite, not a bad word was said about DM and it was overall a very nice event for an otherwise sad occasion.

That evening DM found out we’d attended from another family member, to which myself, DS and DB received text messages to say how were traitors and should be very ashamed of ourselves. Fast forward a month and she’s not made contact, only a text from my DB (15) stating again that were traitors and how could we be so abusive towards DM (sounds very much like her words).

I then received another text message yesterday essentially saying she can’t move past this so she will now be staying away - so, going no contact.

To me this seems like a huge overreaction and frankly quite controlling behaviour. DM has not been the best over the years as it is (that could be a whole other thread), we’re not particular close and she has not shown us any kind of loyalty, so to expect that back is mind boggling. Equally, my uncle lives half way across the world and I hadn’t seen or spoke to him in years, I purely went to celebrate my nans life, although it was nice to see everyone too.

FWIW, me, DS and DB are adults - I think we should be able to decide who we do and don’t have relationships with at our age. Obviously if it was something truly awful that happened it’s a different story. AIBU here?

OP posts:
JamesPringle · 25/02/2024 12:40

YANBU at all.

Am I right in thinking that she didn't go to her own mother's funeral in order to avoid her brother?!

Hadalifeonce · 25/02/2024 12:41

You are not being unreasonable. Your DM is. You do not know the details of her falling out with your uncle, nor were you involved. She has no right to demand anything from you.

Dacadactyl · 25/02/2024 12:41

YANBU and sorry to say, but your mum sounds unhinged.

The sort of person who doesn't get on with their own brother, to the extent they won't go to their own mums funeral just in case you say "sorry for your loss" to him, is a bad apple.

And now, for her to cut you off too? That just proves it even more.

I'd just let her cut you off to be honest. She'll come back when she realises she's not getting any drama from it, or if she wants something.

AdoraBell · 25/02/2024 12:45

YANBU

Your DM cannot dictate what you and other relatives can do.

We’ve just left BIL’s wedding. I don’t speak to one BIL for a very good reason that I won’t put here. I just get on with everyone else, his grown up sons etc. It’s my decision to attend, I don’t expect anything to dance to my tune.

ohdamnitjanet · 25/02/2024 12:45

Wow. That’s a massive over reaction, I’d most definitely not respond or reply and leave her to her own sorry lonely mess.

BiscuitQueen1 · 25/02/2024 12:47

JamesPringle · 25/02/2024 12:40

YANBU at all.

Am I right in thinking that she didn't go to her own mother's funeral in order to avoid her brother?!

Yes exactly this - I actually called her the night before and was encouraging her to go, telling her she may regret it etc but she was adamant. I also said I’d be the first to speak up if anyone trying to cause drama, now I’m wondering why I even bothered as I’ve been cut off so easily.

OP posts:
Thelnebriati · 25/02/2024 13:41

YANBU. Either she went NC with her brother for good reasons - in which case she has a responsibility to warn you - or she went NC over personal drama, in which case she has no right to get you involved because she's being controlling.
In your shoes I'd be inclined to accept her decision and let her get on with it.
Did you ever feel like you had to be the parent when you were a child?

SamphiretheTervosaurReturneth · 25/02/2024 14:10

Send DM and DB a joint message

That you are sorry they both feel you have disappointed them, that you have no idea why attending your GMs funeral etc could.be seen that way and that you have no idea what their issue actually.

End that you will respect their decision not to contact you but will not refuse any calm approach that doesn't focus on whatever all this is about.

Then leave them to it.

Alternatively, type up precisely want you really want to say. Read it a few times, then delete it and just put them out of your mind

I have a similar family dynamic and the best advice ever is to shout out loud;

Just fuck off with your stupidity

And then get on with your own life! But I do imagineer a terse email every now and then!!

BiscuitQueen1 · 25/02/2024 15:26

Thelnebriati · 25/02/2024 13:41

YANBU. Either she went NC with her brother for good reasons - in which case she has a responsibility to warn you - or she went NC over personal drama, in which case she has no right to get you involved because she's being controlling.
In your shoes I'd be inclined to accept her decision and let her get on with it.
Did you ever feel like you had to be the parent when you were a child?

It’s hard to say, I was definitely neglected in ways. Tbh this has happened all throughout my life, whenever she fell out with someone we had to cut contact too or if she felt a certain way about something, I had to feel or think it too.

It’s only as I’ve got older I’ve realised this behaviour isn’t normal though I’m still coming to some stark realisations, so I’m glad to hear I’m not unreasonable in my thinking here.

OP posts:
Galeforcewindatmywindow · 25/02/2024 15:28

Best plan is one I carried out. Dm flounced out of my house..
Left her to it for 10 years... Life was truly blissful..

Hatty65 · 25/02/2024 15:30

I'd be tempted to text the 15 yo back to say, 'I went to my Nan's funeral. There's nothing abusive about that. Mum genuinely needs to grow the fuck up. If she's cutting all contact with us that's her choice'.

Grendell · 25/02/2024 15:33

It's like your DM doesn't see you and her as separate people.

candgen625 · 25/02/2024 15:44

Sounds to me like she is attention seeking. Just don't rise to it. Text her to get in touch with you when she feels better but you won't be chasing after her.

twingiraffes · 25/02/2024 15:46

BiscuitQueen1 · 25/02/2024 15:26

It’s hard to say, I was definitely neglected in ways. Tbh this has happened all throughout my life, whenever she fell out with someone we had to cut contact too or if she felt a certain way about something, I had to feel or think it too.

It’s only as I’ve got older I’ve realised this behaviour isn’t normal though I’m still coming to some stark realisations, so I’m glad to hear I’m not unreasonable in my thinking here.

It seems that it is she who is the problem and the cause of the fall-out trouble, not your uncle. Looks like she has had form for doing this sort of thing for years.

That's on her. If she doesn't want to have anything to do with certain other family members, there is no reason why you have to do the same (unless of course you know the full circumstances and feel the same way). Life is too short to bear family grudges like this. You need to leave her to get on with it. She might come round, she might not, but at the end of the day, that is her decision.

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 25/02/2024 15:51

how many brothers are there ? as you say 15 then you say all adults.

and I thought dn was your nephew not your grandmother. i only found out otherwise at the 5th paragraph.

BiscuitQueen1 · 25/02/2024 16:12

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 25/02/2024 15:51

how many brothers are there ? as you say 15 then you say all adults.

and I thought dn was your nephew not your grandmother. i only found out otherwise at the 5th paragraph.

DN is my Nan (DM’s side) - DM is not happy with me, DB and DS (we are all adults). Younger DB (15) lives with her still.

OP posts:
Geebray · 25/02/2024 16:19

Your mother sounds like a narcissist. Your life will probably be improved by not having her in it. Don't chase after her.

Feel a bit sorry for your younger brother though. Stuck with her manipulating him.

BiscuitQueen1 · 25/02/2024 16:24

twingiraffes · 25/02/2024 15:46

It seems that it is she who is the problem and the cause of the fall-out trouble, not your uncle. Looks like she has had form for doing this sort of thing for years.

That's on her. If she doesn't want to have anything to do with certain other family members, there is no reason why you have to do the same (unless of course you know the full circumstances and feel the same way). Life is too short to bear family grudges like this. You need to leave her to get on with it. She might come round, she might not, but at the end of the day, that is her decision.

Yes, I agree. Although from her perspective, if I talk to my uncle, I’m siding with him and being disloyal to her. She frankly can’t see that this is any way controlling or abnormal behaviour towards an adult.

I won’t be replying but I’ll no doubt receive more nonsense telling me what a traitor I am.

OP posts:
twingiraffes · 25/02/2024 21:07

Just tell her that you are a grown-up, this isn't the playground and you aren't going to take sides.

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