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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

Limiting time/boundaries with emotionally abusive people

7 replies

lovenotwar149 · 23/05/2024 08:00

Hello everyone,
I have posted on this topic before. I had a NC stance with my parents which has now resumed to limited contact of monthly visits for an hour. This NC for over a year or so has helped tremendously. Whilst in an ideal world NC is almost certainly what to do forever, I have decided not to sever all ties and I think monthly visit of an hour is what I can manage.
That being said, I have maintained this since Dec '23. Five reasonable visits have been done ,my husband accompanies me as they behave better when an "outsider" is present.
My mums has 'cottoned on' to my regular timings now of monthly visits towards the end of the month and last wk was 'trying' to manipulate the visit, in her very usual manipulative way. To get to the point I didn't go y'day , she came up with her usual lies when she finally got back to me. I accepted her lies with a polite 'ok no prob.' This was then met with her trying to call me thereafter. I didn't respond.
My question to you is...
I now want to stick with my boundary of contacting them again at the end of next month in June. May's visit isn't going to happen now. I dont want to get into her 'drama' of rearranging a date. This gives her room to call/msg/complain/ cry/rearrange again etc This is her usual behaviour. Suits me in one way as I get to NOT see them for another month now.
There will be comments/put downs if I leave it another month but I am so well versed is answers to her mean comments now that I can handle them pretty damn well.
I know many of you may think and write just cut them off, but I am not as I said going to do that. So in the situation I am trying to navigate , does it seem reasonable to not go now til June?
I do hope this is clear. Many thanks!

OP posts:
WrylyAmused · 23/05/2024 08:26

Absolutely reasonable.

That way you're communicating "This is my boundary. If you can't abide by it, I'll remove myself until you can. I'll try to see you every month, but bad behaviour means you miss that month's visit. I will not subject myself to your manipulative behaviours"

Perfect response and way to approach it, good for you.

lovenotwar149 · 23/05/2024 08:58

Thanks. I felt 80% confident, thats pretty high, that this is reasonable.

"This is my boundary. If you can't abide by it, I'll remove myself until you can. I'll try to see you every month, but bad behaviour means you miss that month's visit. I will not subject myself to your manipulative behaviours"

Nicely put. I agree thats exactly what it is communicating. I can't quite believe I HAVE got to this place. Its very empowering indeed. :)

OP posts:
IfMichaelMosleysVoiceWasWrittenasMusicalScore · 23/05/2024 09:06

Well done @lovenotwar149 , it takes guts to stand up to people like that and the more you do it the more you'll have and the better you will feel Flowers

Roastbeefandyorkshires · 23/05/2024 09:31

YANBU-stick to June. Well done on your rock solid boundaries Flowers

lovenotwar149 · 23/05/2024 10:14

Thanks people! Your confirmations are very valuable to me :)

OP posts:
Thecatthatgotthesouredmilk · 23/05/2024 11:38

Yes to this!

I had to do the same thing with my own mother. Went a year's no contact now, very limited contact on the phone. As I now live in another country.

I really needed that year away to let the FOG lift (fear, guilt,obligation).

Now I am in a position where I can put down the phone when she starts her toxic chat. I will not tolerate any shit from her anymore, and boy does she know it.

Keep up the good work. You will only grow in strength and confidence.

lovenotwar149 · 23/05/2024 12:56

Thecatthatgotthesouredmilk

Thank you so much - I am getting there most definitely! :)

OP posts:
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