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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

My mum is my biggest issue- update

29 replies

Helpmeout99 · 30/09/2024 13:54

Hi all I posted a couple of weeks ago about how my mum was staying with us while her new house was being built and how difficult our relationship is. My mum has, I am sure, a personality disorder and has always been very controlling and highly critical. We have come to blows over this many times and I have tried to instill boundaries while she is with us but she sees them as a personal attack on her. Any time I try to discuss our issues she throws back all the childcare and help she has given us, I have always thanks her for this but the fact remains that the issue is her emotional immaturity and her critical and controlling nature.
We have been trying to be a nice as possible and tiptoe around her and she has seemed a little better over the last week or so, promised she would get therapy although I know this is likely a lie as she has said this many times over the years. I have already decided minimal contact when she is gone and to just grit my teeth for the next two weeks until that time.
Anyway fast forward to today and she left her phone at home and my teenage daughter who has also been on the receiving end of her wrath opened up a message from her friend. The messages were all about how awful we all are, how she hates me, my brother and now my daughter and wishes she had never had children. They contain downright lies about her time with us and also about things like she has paid for our holidays etc and we just “see her as a cashcow” which is just an absolute lie!! She is painting herself to be the victim and us to all be awful people despite the never ending support i have given her over the last 25 years. My entire adult life has been supporting her from one perceived crisis to the next.
my brother refused to have her in his home so we have had her for months and I would not take a penny off her for utilities, food etc as I wanted her to be comfortable and enjoy being with us, despite her past behaviours I did not think she would behave like this.
she has also sent messages to my Uncle who says he will inform my cousins of what a terrible person I am and how badly I have treated her 🙄 this breaks my heart as I havel always put her needs first and supported her and tried to help when she has yet another crisis! To think she sends these messaged while sitting in my home with me cooking her meals 🥺
I know my daughter should not have opened her messages but she has and I now know what she truly feels about us. None of what she has said is a shock as she will always be the victim and I suspected she would start a smear campaign against me as she is losing her control over me and her living with us has taken the blinkers from my eyes. I know see that the nice side of her is the mask and she is a narcissist. She will not accept any criticism pf herself and I am done with her- I truly feel she is unhinged.
I dont feel I can let her know what we have seen but I also kind of want her to know that her behaviour has resulted in this.
I know I am a good person and have done everything I can to help. I am bow in therapy but need advise on what to do regardIng my daughter opening her messages. I asked her what prompted it and she said because she hears the awful things my mum says when on the phone to others she wanted to see if there was evidence in writing.

OP posts:
lemonlavendar · 30/09/2024 14:21

Your DD was looking out for you, not in the most ethical way but her heart was in the right place.
Has your mum somewhere else to go?
Just say you opened the messages and how upset you are. And go from there.
Time for her to leave and find somewhere that makes her happy...although I suspect there is no such place.

WhatIsThisTomFoolery24 · 30/09/2024 14:28

I'd be booting her out immediately & going NC. That level of disrespect & nastiness is too far.

Cm19841 · 30/09/2024 18:41

Just wrap this up and ask her to leave.

I read your previous post about the situation, You had advice to ask your mother to leave then too.

Your daughter is now watching your example. Don't be treated like shit!

ivykaty44 · 30/09/2024 18:47

I’d let her know the messages have been opened and as you are all hated so much it’d be better if she found somewhere else to stay

agter your dad hearing all the terrible things she says on the phone the messages just confirm that in writing

now she can message everyone stating you’ve kicked her out

you don’t have anything to lose as they’ve already listened to her lies so now the truth can happen

Glooop · 01/10/2024 01:27

Cm19841 · 30/09/2024 18:41

Just wrap this up and ask her to leave.

I read your previous post about the situation, You had advice to ask your mother to leave then too.

Your daughter is now watching your example. Don't be treated like shit!

Your daughter is now watching your example.

Your DD has watched your example all her life of you being abused and appeasing the abuser.

If you want your DD not to act like this in relationships - show her how you have agency and get your DM to move out. Do it in a decisive, direct and dignified way.

In the past you hav endured the abuse to you.

However this latest development shows that your DD is being abused and smeared.

If you cant act for yourself - act for your DD.

Show your DD that you have her back 100% and that no one gets to treat her badly.

If you dont get your DM out - you are showing your DD that she should tolerate abuse and that you will stand by and inadvertently enable it.

Garlictest · 01/10/2024 01:43

need advice on what to do regarding my daughter opening her messages

It doesn't matter what you say or don't say - as you now know, she'll say whatever she feels will enhance her victimised position. I'd definitely tell her DD heard her smearing you and lying, and that you know she's badmouthed you to your uncle. It is fine to tell her you've read the messages; it's not a crime, and you already know what she thinks of you.

I also recommend sending her away immediately. She can stay in a hotel or with one of her sympathisers. If somebody (your brother?) could be with you to make sure she fully goes, all the better.

In my experience, she's likely to say you've stolen something of hers - and to steal something from you. So oversee her packing, and make sure she doesn't leave as much as a pair of tights behind.

Sorry you've got a mother like this. You've done well to come through relatively sane. Now it's time to build your boundaries.

Justice4Friend · 01/10/2024 01:48

Are you the poster whose mother was abusive and you had an abusive childhood? Also, where she didn't believe you on some serious matters?
Never mind the past but this is enough to pack her bags and tell her to leave and don't even turn up at her funeral.
I can't understand how you can give birth to someone and be an absolute piece of 💩 to your own child.

mathanxiety · 01/10/2024 01:54

Regarding your daughter opening the messages - thank her.

And as a PP said, pack your mother's bags. She can sleep on the couch of one of the people she's been lying to until they in turn kick her out.

HollyKnight · 01/10/2024 02:27

You don't say how old your daughter is, but it is sad that the girl feels like she has to be the one to take action here. That is not her responsibility. She shouldn't be the one trying to sort out this toxicity. Your mother needs to go. You need to get her out of your family's home and life. Don't you dare criticise your daughter for trying to put an end to something you have allowed to continue.

YourMommaWasASnowblower · 01/10/2024 05:44

I agree with others, kick your mum out. She’s making others think badly of you anyway when you are putting a roof over her head. If people question you on it say you found out she has been spreading vicious lies about you - it might make them at least think twice about what they have heard about you.
As for your daughter, she’s ripped the plaster off, good for her. She shouldn’t have to behave respectfully towards someone who hasn’t respected her.

MoveToParis · 01/10/2024 06:04

She absolutely has to go.

Past childcare doesn’t give her the right to abuse you.

You are allowed to make decisions she doesn’t like. Have a couple of mantras to just get her out.

Mum, I have decided we cannot live with you anymore. I have booked you a hotel for tonight and after that you are on your own.

I am not asking your permission. This is my house and you have out stayed your welcome.

It isn’t open for discussion or negotiation. You are leaving today.

Helpmeout99 · 01/10/2024 07:20

Glooop · 01/10/2024 01:27

Your daughter is now watching your example.

Your DD has watched your example all her life of you being abused and appeasing the abuser.

If you want your DD not to act like this in relationships - show her how you have agency and get your DM to move out. Do it in a decisive, direct and dignified way.

In the past you hav endured the abuse to you.

However this latest development shows that your DD is being abused and smeared.

If you cant act for yourself - act for your DD.

Show your DD that you have her back 100% and that no one gets to treat her badly.

If you dont get your DM out - you are showing your DD that she should tolerate abuse and that you will stand by and inadvertently enable it.

Yes I absolutely agree- My mum will be leaving and I am letting her know I have copies of all her foul messages. I am then going no contact.
I have always felt guilt and responsibility towards my mum but no longer. I have started therapy and may struggle with my own guilt but I will absolutely not tolerate this towards my children.
my mum is toxic and I want her out of my life- this is on her not me.

OP posts:
Helpmeout99 · 01/10/2024 07:23

HollyKnight · 01/10/2024 02:27

You don't say how old your daughter is, but it is sad that the girl feels like she has to be the one to take action here. That is not her responsibility. She shouldn't be the one trying to sort out this toxicity. Your mother needs to go. You need to get her out of your family's home and life. Don't you dare criticise your daughter for trying to put an end to something you have allowed to continue.

I have not criticised my daughter, infact I asked her to take pictures of the messages so I can show my mum and say this is why you are leaving. I am going no contact and have started therapy. I have been conditioned to take this shit all my life but now she has started on my daughter while living here I will not stand for it.
I am grateful I have the physical evidence and had I been at home yest and not at work when my mum left her phone there I would have more than likely looked at the messages too so I dont blame her one bit.

OP posts:
Helpmeout99 · 01/10/2024 07:25

MoveToParis · 01/10/2024 06:04

She absolutely has to go.

Past childcare doesn’t give her the right to abuse you.

You are allowed to make decisions she doesn’t like. Have a couple of mantras to just get her out.

Mum, I have decided we cannot live with you anymore. I have booked you a hotel for tonight and after that you are on your own.

I am not asking your permission. This is my house and you have out stayed your welcome.

It isn’t open for discussion or negotiation. You are leaving today.

she is going and we are having no further contact. I am going to message my Uncle and tell him the facts and what he decided to do with that information is up to him but I will not tolerate the lies.

OP posts:
SardinesOnGingerbread · 01/10/2024 07:25

Congratulations on your decision. I went NC with mine at the start of January this year, and whilst I have grieved the experience I never once felt it was the wrong decision. Wish I'd been able to do it decades ago. Good times ahead! X

TorroFerney · 01/10/2024 07:29

Helpmeout99 · 01/10/2024 07:20

Yes I absolutely agree- My mum will be leaving and I am letting her know I have copies of all her foul messages. I am then going no contact.
I have always felt guilt and responsibility towards my mum but no longer. I have started therapy and may struggle with my own guilt but I will absolutely not tolerate this towards my children.
my mum is toxic and I want her out of my life- this is on her not me.

Why do you need copies of her messages? Seriously drop the rope, all you will do is re read them , you know she’s awful , reading them is a form of contact. It won’t help you recover. They aren’t needed, you don’t need proof.

Gingernaut · 01/10/2024 07:30

Did you send the messages to your phone?

Take photos of them?

I'd keep the proof, just in case I wobbled in the future

Your daughter is a little heroine

itsgettingweird · 01/10/2024 07:30

"Mum, rightly or wrongly DD opened up and saw your messages to your friend. Obviously as we are vile people you don't intend to stay here rent free another day longer. Let me know where you're moving to today and I'll take you there".

And let her tell the world you kicked her out. It's no worse than she's already saying which isn't true.

Shame you didn't take a picture of the messages.

itsgettingweird · 01/10/2024 07:31

X posts. You do have copies. That's good.

Garlictest · 01/10/2024 07:34

Oh, congratulations OP! It is really tough to break that wall of compliance, the weight of all the obligation and guilt she's worked into you. It's an act of courage, of love for your daughter, and of self-care. Therapy's the way to go Flowers

All the best with the eviction, hope it's quick! Yes, do tell your uncle. He can decide what to do with the information.

Helpmeout99 · 01/10/2024 08:30

TorroFerney · 01/10/2024 07:29

Why do you need copies of her messages? Seriously drop the rope, all you will do is re read them , you know she’s awful , reading them is a form of contact. It won’t help you recover. They aren’t needed, you don’t need proof.

Because my mum will lie black is white and say they dont exist so I will show her and tell her this is why she has to go.

OP posts:
Helpmeout99 · 01/10/2024 08:31

Gingernaut · 01/10/2024 07:30

Did you send the messages to your phone?

Take photos of them?

I'd keep the proof, just in case I wobbled in the future

Your daughter is a little heroine

Yes I told my daughter to take pics of them all for proof x

OP posts:
lemonlavendar · 01/10/2024 08:51

Well done OP.
Stand your ground.
I had a similar relationship with my mum but was too scared to bring anything up for fear of her reaction. (Always said i was too sensitive)
Severely affected my mental health-for decades.
i was 60 when she died and only then did i start to feel free and found my confidence. Don't be me.
I should have gone NC decades earlier and saved myself.
Don't be me.

Seaoftroubles · 01/10/2024 09:16

OP, it's good you have proof of your mother's vile attitude towards you and your family. So glad you are getting her out of your home and are supporting your daughter. Congratulations on taking action! Please go NC with your mother when she has left and stay that way to protect yourself and your daughter in the future. She doesn't deserve to have any further contact with you or your family.

Blusterydaytodaypoohbear · 01/10/2024 09:45

Good for you op. Your dd will at last have a great role model. It must have Ben difficult having her in your home.

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