My mom - what a piece of work (update post 84/125/149/154)

Uh,she did threaten the grand-daughter. This is more than a mood disturbance. I'm not a mental health professional but I know craziness when I see it. This is truly mentally unbalanced behavior. If the family doctor has one GRAIN of common sense he will refer her to a psychiatrist. Family docs do treat a lot of mental illness, but when you're really off-balance going to a family doctor is like having your vet take out your gallbladder. Mom needs a psychiatrist!

When I posted that, she hadn't said she threatened the daughter, or if she did, I didn't see it. Notice that after she posted that she cornered her, I said the police should have been called.

Again, I have dealt with a family member who was almost identical to OP's mom in behavior. She ended up being diagnosed with depression (and it had been ongoing for years) and with her antidepressants, her behavior is completely normal. I'm not a mental health professional, either, but I am very close to having a B.A. in psychology.

And, if you recall, I said that once antidepressants stabilized her mood swings, she'd be thinking more rationally and perhaps would persue a psychiatrist.
 
Oh Jen, I just cried when I read this. For two reasons, I have a mother who reacts this way, and I understand the fear and hurt your children/yourself felt. The sad thing is that there is no way to change her reaction, you can only change your resopnse. I had to lessen my communications with my mother 2 yrs. ago. This was both the worst/best thing that I have done. I cant express the saddness I feel for you.
 
Your daughter may need to see a counselor about this. Your mom needs commited, or that would be my first reaction. Getting her away from my children would be first, getting her help would be second.

How is your daughter and son, he had to witness this and may feel bad about not being able to protect his sister, even being as young as he is.

Grandpa would have to come to my house to visit, that would be up to him. I wouldn't let grandma get a second chance without medical help and frankly, probably not even then. It would take a lot for me to forgive that.
 
OP, is their any kind of update tonight? Has your Mom attempted any kind of apology at all? Or has your Dad contacted you?


Mom has not called either of the kids cells, nor DH's or mine since Saturday evening. There has been no apology and I truely do not expect to ever receive one. Speaking from past issue between she and I, in her mind, she is the victom and we should be begging for her forgivness. She has not sent an e-mails to us, nor has she posted anything on Facebook.

We have talked to my dad both Sunday and Monday. He took his cell phone back Sunday morning. Said she still hasn't spoken to him. He will be out of the house making car runs the next two days, so that'll be good for him.

When I got home last night, found DD in her room working on her hair. She had a couple of different outfits laid out on her bed. She was working on putting together what she wants to wear the 1st day of school and how she'll wear her hair.

I asked her how she was doing. She said she was ok. We talked a bit more about Saturday night. She looked at me and told me, "Mom it's grandmas issue. She needs to cry me a river, build a bridge and GET OVER IT!! I love my hair, you guys love my hair, that is all that matters." There are times, when I forget she is a very wise child.
 

Wow, it certainly sounds like your girl has her head squarely on her shoulders! Good for her, and good for you too, mom :thumbsup2
 
She took a mole hill and made a MOUNTIAN out of it. Sorry this is gonna be long.

DD12 is going into 6th this year. She is EXCITED beyond words. She has been counting down the days for weeks now.

Since the end of the school year, she has been asking if she could get her hair cut. She has a beautiful head of thick, curly hair. With the dance classes she takes, her hair has to be long enough to go into a bun. Growing up, I had hair to my waist. Other than when she wore bangs and trimming off split ends, she has never had a hair cut.

She and I had gotten a magazine to look at all the different styles. She picked out the ones she liked the best, keeping in mind what she had to keep for the dance bun requirement. DH and I told her that we would get her hair cut this coming week.

On saturday, when I went in for my cut and color, she went with me and took in the magazine. The lady who does my hair looked over what she had picked out and the three of us agreed what would look best and what she could take care of best.

Once KD got my color on and had me tucked under the dryer, she didn't have anyone else, so instead of having me make a trip back up there, she went ahead and did DD's cut as well. NOT AT ALL AN ISSUE WITH ME.

OMG...does she look cute. She never stopped smilling. Kept running her fingers thru it. Didn't want to roll down her window...it might get messed up. DH and DS both gave their approval....for DS14 say that he liked it is impressive.

DH and I had plans to go out to eat and a late movie Saturday night. The kids have not spent anytime over at my mom and dads this summer. Mom had asked if she could keep the kids and spend some time with them, so that was the plan.

We get over there and my dad was out cutting the grass. DD got out of the car and walked over to him. He had a shocked look, then a big smile. He told her it sure was different, but he liked it and gave her a hug. We went on into the house. DD and I had to go back to my mom and dads bedroom to find her. And when we did, the day of happieness made a u-turn and headed for hades.

My mom started crying. Would barely look at DD. Just glared at me. DD kept trying to hug her grandma, but she just kept pushing her away. Telling her, she couldn't believe we would do that to her. Go away, leave her alone. Finally, DD turned and walked out and I followed her...didn't say a word to my mom. DH was standing in the hallway, he heard what was said, he followed us out to the family room. We had barely gotten into the family room, when the bedroom door was slammed shut and the wailling began. We proceeded on out the door. We stood outside with my dad and the kids for about an hour talking. Mom never once stuck her head outside. DS went into the house once to get some water and when he came out, said she was still in her room carring on.

Dad said to just go ahead and leave the kids. Once he finished mowing the grass, they would go get something to eat and stay outta her way. We left, dad was heading across the street to finish the mowing and DS and DD were outside messing with their bikes.

DH and I get home, takes us only about 10 minutes. Once I get in the house, I pull my cell out of my pockets and it starts ringing before I can set it down. Call id shows that is my mom and dads house. I answer it and it is DD whispering you need to come get me. I can hear my mom screaming in the back ground, so I can barely hear what DD said. She then says grandma go away, I'll be out in a minute. She starts to say something, but all I hear is my mom screaming don't you dare shut this door and hang up the phone. I can hear DD start to tell her who she is talking to when the phone goes off. I call back, DH is already putting his shoes back on. When DS answers the phone, I asked what is going on. He says, "mom, she's gonna kill her. she's chasing her through the house." DH is already standing in the doorway, as soon as he heard that she is being chased, he was out the door and in the car. I told DS to just stay outta the way, because if you try to interfer, she'll turn on you. He stayed on the phone with me, until DH got there. Me not being there is/was for the best, because I know it would have gotten a whole lot uglier had I been there.

About 10 minutes after I know DH has gotten there, my cell starts ringing. It's my mom. I refuse to pick up. She called back a dozen times, leaving 4 messages. Once DH and the kids were in the house, I finally answered one of her calls. She is screaming and sobbing....Bring them back...don't do this to me.....WHY......just bring them back. Then hangs up. Calls back a few minutes later, we are not answering. This goes on for another 1/2 hr. Left another 6-7 messages.

According to what we can only partially guess at, as she is sreaming and sobbing in her voicemails, we are guitly of:
1 - not asking her permission
2 - stabbing her in the back. She once held a beauticians license. Hasn't worked in a salon since before I was born, I'm 41. Tell me what she know about the modern styles and trends.
3 - taking to much off. We already know the hair cut can go up into a bun. Did it before we left the salon.
4 - said she would have cut DD's hair. But we would have done a little at a time so she could get use to it.
5 - taking the kids from her and turning them against her.

I won't go into what all she did or said to my DD before DH got there. But needless to say, I WILL NEVER FORGIVE OR FORGET what this woman did to my beautiful daughter over a haircut. I don't think that DD will ever get over it either.

And for the record before everyone says she needs physic help.....we all have known it for years. Getting her to go, that's another story. She's just fine....everybody else has issues that we need to deal with. This is the first time she's lost it on the grandkids. She can lose it on me all she wants...I can have it out with her, but the kids can't do that nor should they have to do that. Dad, DH and I need to talk, but she took his cell phone and I won't call the house number for her to either scream at me or listen to our conversation. This may just have been the straw that broke the camels back with Dad. Before she took his cell, we had already told him that until her issues are being treated, the kids will not be anywhere near that house.

No time to read the responses but your mom is a sick woman. Your kids should not be near her. She CHASED your daughter? She WAILED about a haircut?

I'm guessing you were raised with this type of behavior so you are kind of used to expecting this from your mom but I can tell you, this is seriously messed up. This is not at all normal. Protect your kids.
 
I am impressed with your daughter, that response is perfect.
 
Good for your daughter! :thumbsup2 Hope you can work something out with your mom. I hate it when parents act like such turkeys.
 
wow how awful. I agree though, when you dropped her off and your mom was slamming the door and starting her fit then, I would have never left the kids. Hopefully she will get some help.
 
Smart girl. You have raised her right. She knows whose opinions count in her mind. :thumbsup2 :hug:
 
You have to wonder...exactly what WAS your mother planning to do when she caught your daughter???

Scary stuff folks.

Yeah the chasing thing was what stood out the most to me. It's one thing to be screaming like a lunatic but to take it one step further and make it physical is really scary.
 
Wow.. :sad2:

Im glad your DD liked her haircut.. Unfortunately I bet she will remember this behavior for a long time to come..
 
You daughter is one smart cookie. Actually though, your mom's behavior sounds suspiciously like some type of mental illness. This could turn out to be a positive if you guys are able to get her the help she needs. Good luck with everything!
 
Everyone is talking about how the OP's mother is mentally ill/imbalanced, and needs some professional help.

I am not trying to be harsh here... but I am truly concerned that the OP might need some counseling/therapy to address these ongoing family issues.

I just can't understand how the children were left there that day.
Her daughter was chased and physically accosted/threatened. 911 was not called. ( I don't know how far the OP lives for her DH to drive over there) No authorities were ever called.
Calling some authorities might have mandated some treatment for the OP's mother... but it was strictly avoided.
The children still had their cellphones, hearing them ring with their grandma's number. (just - don't pick up if it's her...) Why wasn't the grandma's number at least blocked IMMEDiATELY? I am assuming that the children still have the same cellphones, with the unblocked number, should grandma go off the deep end and start in again.
On this thread, it appears that the OP has talked more about being a 'daddy's girl' and her concerns for her dad, than she has expressed concern for her own children.
It should not be up to the OP's daughter to say, "oh, it's all right, it's grandma's issue..." so the the OP feels better... (which, of course, is what the child will want to do) It is up to the OP to say NO, this is NOT all right.. I will make sure that you are never subject to anything like this ever again.

Again, I am sorry for being so blunt... but, for the OP's sake (and her children) I hope that she is receiving some counseling and support.
 
I do agree with previous posters, but only to a certain extent. I think your Dad should be allowed to see your kids at your home. And I do not think your Mom should see them at all for now.

BUT... I think that to sever all communication with your Mom is not beneficial to anyone. Now that things have calmed down a bit, you need to answer your Mom's next call. At that point, I would let her know that under no uncertain terms, she crossed the line. If she chose not to seek psychiatric help, then she would not be allowed to see or talk to the kids. But if she does seek help, and is diagnosed with a mental disorder, I don't think you can continue to hold this incident against her. A mental disease is not the fault of the victim any more than cancer is. If she gets help, and is med-compliant, then she should be allowed supervised visits. By that, I do not mean that you are sitting in the room with her the entire visit, but rather in or around the house in the event that intervention is necessary. I would never depend on your parents as babysitters again.

I know this was awful for your entire family. I'm glad that your DD is handling it well. I do hope that you and your family can work through the problems, and find a solution that works for all of you. :hug:
 
Unfortunately in order to get grandma medical help may involve taking steps to have her declared incompetent. That would be the only way to force her to get help against her will.
 
I just read your update on #84 and I just wanted to say you have done an excellent job raising your children. She is very wise indeed. :)
 
Glad your daughter has such a good perspective on it all. Make sure she really feels that way and isn't just saying what she thinks you want to hear. She's been through some major trauma at the hands of someone she loves. Your children are not safe around your mother. She could do something even more radical so quickly no one would be able to stop it. I wouldn't leave them alone with her ever again. Your father obviously hasn't the ability to protect your children from her, sadly. I'm so sorry. It's obviously mental illness and not anyone's fault but needs to be handled that way for the safety of the kids. I can not imagine your horror. I'm glad everyone is ok. I hope your son is ok too, he must have been really afraid. Peace.
 





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