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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

How to explain LC/NC

8 replies

Brosources · 03/04/2024 13:06

I’ve been LC with my mum for 8 years now. This was caused by a specific incident at that time which for me was the final straw. We’ve never got on and from an early age she made it very clear to me that she didn’t want me, if she had to have a child she would have wanted a boy. I can remember her rages, telling me how awful and worthless I am, hitting me and then laughing at me, spoiling my sister and then making sure I knew that I wasn’t getting the same. There’s more but that’s the gist of it. She recruited other family members into thinking that I was a terrible child and this has been my role in the family ever since. I am the bad one. Luckily for me I now have a lovely DH and 2DC, and having gained some space from her I can see how nasty she can be and have a much healthier view of myself as a result. I have no regrets over going LC.

My problem is that I struggle to explain to people why we hardly speak. Occasionally it comes up in conversation and people are always shocked that I would choose to minimise contact my own mother. There was never one specific incident which on its own was enough to justify LC, just a realisation that her behaviour has always been deliberately hurtful and unkind. Has anyone else experienced this and how do you explain it to someone who has come
from a loving family, with the “but she’s your mum!” mindset?

OP posts:
PPJK · 03/04/2024 17:59

Honestly, my go to would be not to mention it at all or the most briefest of explanations e.g. she's not the maternal type

Does she live locally?

DH is LC with his parents but most people don't know that. A couple of people do, but they do understand as they have 'tricky' parents too.

SOxon · 03/04/2024 18:14

OP, the response to “but she’s your mum” could be, “exactly!”

@PPJK is quite right of course, why mention her at all

nearlynorthern17 · 03/04/2024 18:26

I always say "we just don't have a good relationship" and no one ever probes further!

BoohooWoohoo · 03/04/2024 18:33

When people say that to me I say something like
”She’s not someone who I want round my kids” which shuts them up quickly.

If it’s someone I’m likely to never speak to again then I say something like she lives overseas or she’s not a fan of children which hasn’t led to further questions.

DisforDarkChocolate · 03/04/2024 18:35

The ' but she's your Mum' people will never understand and you don't owe them an explanation.

PeaPalRIDriots · 03/04/2024 18:37

Don’t explain. Just say you’re not close with family and leave it at that. Explaining ourselves is what we did as victims of abuse.

ButterflyKu · 03/04/2024 18:39

DisforDarkChocolate · 03/04/2024 18:35

The ' but she's your Mum' people will never understand and you don't owe them an explanation.

Exactly. They’ll never get it. I’ve been NC with my mum for a year, I just say ‘we never got along’ and leave it at that. I don’t really need people to understand and be on my side if that makes sense

NCFTS · 03/04/2024 18:41

I just say things like ‘it’s a long story’ or ‘we all have busy lives’. I don’t bother telling people because 1. It’s none of their business, 2. You never know who is one of their flying monkeys and 3. The most important lesson I’ve learnt in life - be careful who you tell your problems to. Most people don’t care, the rest just want something to gossip about.
Its not worth the hassle.

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