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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

Silent treatment from DM - is she justified, or being a narcissist?

16 replies

NotTodaySonnyJim · 23/07/2025 11:30

To avoid a drip feed, I'll preface my issue by explaining that I've had a turbulent relationship in the past with my DM. She's 50, I'm early 30s - she was a single teen mum and made a lot of mistakes raising me. She was often emotionally abusive, and I think she felt quite resentful that her youth was spent raising a child. I left home as soon as I was old enough. We've continued to have disagreements in my adult years as she's struggled with her MH and relationship with alcohol. She's turned a corner in recent years though and things have been civil.

I've recently had a baby, and last week my baby was diagnosed with a minor health condition (easily treatable, not a huge concern, and the treatment started yesterday). DM was at a friend's wedding abroad when we got the diagnosis last week, so I decided not to tell her while she was away so as not to worry her. I did however tell my baby's other grandmother/my MIL, as she's a GP, and she talked me through the condition my DC has and how it will be treated. I felt very reassured after this conversation and had pretty much put it out of my mind (obviously I was worried about my baby to start with, regardless of how minor the condition is).

Fast forward to Sunday, DM gets back from her trip and messages asking to come and visit the baby. I replied saying we couldn't do this week, explained about the health condition and treatment that the baby will be having. Thinking I was being reassuring, I mentioned that I had discussed it with my MIL too, and fed back her knowledge about the condition and treatment. I haven't heard from DM since - she just stopped replying. Nothing to express concern about the baby, relief that it sounds straightforward, nothing on the morning then treatment started wishing us well or checking in that we're OK. I can only therefore assume that I'm getting the silent treatment because she's upset I didn't tell her sooner (and potentially is narked that my baby's other GM knew about the situation before she did).

AITA here for not telling DM straight away about the situation, and she's justifiably upset for not being kept informed about her DG's health? Or is she being narcissistic and making it about her? Due to our historical relationship, I'm inclined to think she's being unreasonable in her reaction, but as a FTM and her a FTGM, I'm not sure about the etiquette when it comes to sharing updates about my child!

I'm also not sure what to do moving forward - do I text her and acknowledge that she's been ignoring me in my message and ask why, or should I just send her a normal message with an update about the baby, and ignore that she's ignoring me? DH thinks I should do neither and just wait for a response, but the continued lack of communication is making me feel stressed (despite being a grown up, my DM always manages to make me regress back to anxious teen mode when she's throwing a strop).

OP posts:
littlemissprosseco · 23/07/2025 11:35

She’s throwing a strop, you don’t really know why, so ultimately she’s going to lose out.
Id just send a message saying’ if you’re not going to communicate with me, I can’t invite you to come!’
Then leave it and enjoy the peace

littlemissprosseco · 23/07/2025 11:36

And yes, she’s making a complete non event about her

outerspacepotato · 23/07/2025 11:38

Concentrate on your baby, not your mom.

The silent treatment is an abuse tactic. She wants you to chase her but you have more important matters to deal with.

If she takes offense because you told your MIL first, who had knowledgeable advice and support and was there, instead of her while you were trying not to worry her while she was on a trip, then she's centering herself instead of someone who could have used a little support. This doesn't sound like a person who will be there if needed. How petty and selfish.

Don't text her, don't chase her.

I'd drop the rope here. Give her a little headspace as possible. Grey rock. It's ok to be done.

JackdawRoost · 23/07/2025 11:42

Genuinely, nip this in the bud now. Before it starts to affect your child and damage them emotionally.

She is trying to reframe your relationship now there's a GC in the mix, with herself on top, with people running around after her.

And ask yourself, if a friend or other family member (or hell, even a random colleague!) was so rudely dismissing and uninterested in your beautiful new baby's health, would you give a single shit about chasing after them and kowtowing for any breadcrumbs of care? No you would not.

Seeing you as a mum most be a real headfuck for her and she's acting up to try and keep the unhealthy and damaging dynamic going with you. But guess what... You're an adult, you put your baby and yourself first now.

It's hard. It hurts. She's not doing good enough
You deserve better. I suggest googling the grey rock technique, and throwing yourself wholeheartedly into people and situations where you are valued and treated correctly.

twoshedsjackson · 23/07/2025 11:59

You might consider sending her an "update text", such as you might send to any concerned family, on the principle that you are a proper grown up who does what is civil, grey-rocking the attempt to make you feel uncomfortable with silent treatment. I believe that this can be described as "yellow rock" - a bright cheerful response to an attempt at manipulation.
Or you could consider your husband's sage advice and wait for the tantrum to blow over; she must be itching to know what effect she is having!

CeffylCoch · 23/07/2025 15:01

I agree with your husband, don’t give her a reaction. If she wants to sulk that’s on her

speakball · 23/07/2025 17:04

wait for the tantrum to blow over; she must be itching to know what effect she is having!

The mum will indeed snap out of it. That’s not the issue. What the issue is is that your mum wishes to harm you emotionally if you do things that she’s not happy with. She wants you to be emotionally distressed because you behaved like a separate adult. Her hope is that from now on you worry about her response to avoid the pain she hopes you’re feeling now. Make no mistake, the silent treatment is violence.

Shesellsseashellsnotinmystreet · 23/07/2025 17:12

Last time my dm flounced I left her to it..
For 10 peaceful years..
Bliss it was op.

RentalWoesNotFun · 23/07/2025 17:16

I’d pretend I hadn’t noticed the silent treatment at all and just email as normal.

along the lines of “Hi just a quick update that baby is feeling much better and the xyz condition is clearing up nicely. We will be up for visitors after Friday. Please let me know when you’re free to pop by and see him and I’ll get in something nice to have with our cuppa”

just one email
If no reply if just leave it for a fortnight and then see how you feel.

slightlydistrac · 23/07/2025 17:29

Just send a quick "Oh, by the way, I didn't want to worry you about dc's health condition while you were on holiday and that's why I waited till you were back before telling you".

And leave it at that. If she is going to sulk, then let her stew in her own juice.

Arlanymor · 23/07/2025 17:31

RentalWoesNotFun · 23/07/2025 17:16

I’d pretend I hadn’t noticed the silent treatment at all and just email as normal.

along the lines of “Hi just a quick update that baby is feeling much better and the xyz condition is clearing up nicely. We will be up for visitors after Friday. Please let me know when you’re free to pop by and see him and I’ll get in something nice to have with our cuppa”

just one email
If no reply if just leave it for a fortnight and then see how you feel.

Yes I agree with you - don't indulge her by even referencing her silence. Just an update on the health condition and information on being available for visitors - then the ball is in her court.

MiloMinderbinder925 · 23/07/2025 17:34

You're very enmeshed and hyperalert to your mum's feelings/moods. She's punishing you for your infraction by withdrawing and she knows it causes you anxiety.

The answer is to emotionally disengage until you get to the point where her moods don't interest you. Carry on with your life, focus on your baby and their treatment. Send her a photo and update in a week or so and leave the rest up to her.

NotTodaySonnyJim · 23/07/2025 18:30

I decided to "yellow rock" and sent a generic update about the baby, with no acknowledgement of the radio silence otherwise. Now we wait to see if we get a response...

OP posts:
Thisshirtisonfire · 23/07/2025 18:38

Yeah she's being a twat.
Completely ignore it.
Send her cordial generic updates and don't enquire why she isn't replying.
If she never replies again well I guess the trash took itself out

Shesellsseashellsnotinmystreet · 23/07/2025 19:15

Remember you are the dm now. She doesn't get to boss you around...or have the monopoly on your time.

speakball · 23/07/2025 19:19

I don’t see how referencing the mums cruel behaviour is indulging it? Pretending she’s not mean is exactly what she expects.

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