Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

I have a dilemma, my overbearing mother

8 replies

Anyonefoundmysparesock · 11/04/2025 01:03

I am well and truly stuck.

My parents live abroad. Warmer climate. They moved abroad during covid times. I lived in another country too, but decided to move back home when my eldest finished university, and so we moved back home 3 years ago. My parents apartment had stood empty for some years in our home country. And when they knew I was moving back home they offered me to rent it for a reasonable price, which I thought was a good idea, everyone would win.
Where I live most apartments are sky high in rent and so I saw this as a temporary solution till I found the forever home in my ideal location.

But then I became seriously ill. Had to stop work, and although I continued to pay rent and all bills, my mother decided this was not possible anymore. Something to do with tax etc affecting their pension, claiming they will loose everything if they take rent off me. They are well off btw but ok, I said fine, till I go back to work and find my own place.
For context.
My mother is abusive, verbally and emotionally. Its her way or no way. She will mock people, slander and is openly racist. She is 75 soon. She knows better than anyone on any matter and is very headstrong, she has always been this way, and I grew up never knowing what sort of mood she would be in that day, that hour, and so on. She is a martyr, and if she does not get that treatment she will let you pay for it with silent treatment for example. I married a man that was an echo of her.

Now I have had therapy, and boy did that change everything. My outlook and how I now see her and she it irks her.

If you saw her, you would never believe she was abusive. just a sweet old lady.

Now, they have come to their apartment 2 times in as many years, but for weeks on end. I have tried to find a place but with the rent so high and me on a low pension for now until I recover, its impossible to be around her. They are both fine for a couple of days, the all hell breaks out, like tonight. I dread waking up tomorrow morning because I just left her saying I refuse to be under scrutiny.
she was fuming and as I was walking out the living room she was livid.

I am scared of her, always have been and I am bloody 54. When I was 20 I had a boyfriend she approved off, but we split up, and I worked at a supermarket, when she found out she came to my workplace, and as I was stacking shelves, on a Friday evening, she walked up to me asking if we had broken up, and then when I said yes she slapped me across the face, my ears were ringing long after. And this is what she has done to us siblings.

I am divorced, zero equity from it, and did not plan out my life this way. I just feel she is set on targetting me in any way possible. And she does this in such a suttle way too, they are digs, and as I have a slight disability she will use this to target me, and has done all my life, but does it in a way no one would understand but me, does anyone get that?
But I am stuck. If I dare stick up for myself, and believe me I do, she will continue until its a full blown argument, because she will not back down, and she has zero respect for me and for my sister.
Its sad really. But I am stuck under the same roof as them for another month. I am going to try and find somewhere to rent, but I am so done. They are planning on moving back home as step dad has cancer. He is alright bless him, but like me cannot put a foot wrong or she will be in his face. She can be so horrible to him at times and he has given her such a beautiful life.

Sorry its long.

Tonight she asked if I can drive her places tomorrow to get cakes for her big birthday coming up, I have POTS that came with the illness 2 years ago. I am trying to manage it with weekly IV infusions, fingers crossed it will help me as I need to get out from their roof. I have enormous guilt because I am here for free but at a massive mental cost. But all hell broke out because she hates the fact that I cannot be controlled anymore.

I just needed to went. Not sure there is any advise to be had. But I truly wish that I had my own home where I did not have to worry about her moods which I have lived with my entire life. But seeing I am under their roof, I fear it will only get worse. I dont have anywhere else to go, apart my car.

OP posts:
Maitri108 · 11/04/2025 01:55

OP can you move into a house share in a less expensive area?

Comtesse · 11/04/2025 02:07

Oh mate this sounds awful Flowers

Happyinarcon · 11/04/2025 02:28

i reckon your illness probably has roots in your abuse and fear of your mum. As you heal mentally you will start getting better. The tough part right now is facing your mother as an adult and not as the frightened inner child. She can’t hurt you, now you’re both adults and you are safe. Until you get therapy YouTube has some good resources

Anyonefoundmysparesock · 11/04/2025 02:48

Had therapy and still receive it. Its been really good and needed.

My illness was embolism and had nothing to do with my mothers abuse. It was due to a c vaccine. The POTS came as a direct result of the embolism.

I have been looking to relocate to the smaller places, and was hoping to have moved prior to them coming over at the beginning of April. They are staying for another 4 weeks.

OP posts:
HeySnoodie · 11/04/2025 03:03

As a temporary thing are you able to cat sit through a local pet sitting company.

HeySnoodie · 11/04/2025 03:06

are tiny flats in cheaper areas affordable, may need to relocate to a different town

HeySnoodie · 11/04/2025 03:08

Also check the benefits you’d be entitled to. Chat to citizens advice or look online?

Lmnop22 · 11/04/2025 08:40

If you’re on a low income surely you’d be entitled to some housing payments to cover rent somewhere?

My advice would be to move anywhere you have to and get into anywhere that’s away from this toxic woman and then from there you can take stock and potentially plan to save/move to your ideal area etc

But for you sanity, get out of that house! Could you go and stay with your sister? She knows what your mum is like.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page