Follow
Share

Hello, I need some suggestions on how to deal with my negative mother. She is always complaining about how bad she feels and that no one cares about her troubles financially and physically. She also says she is dying soon. I keep telling her that we don't know when we will die. We live in a multi-generational household. I resumed a serious relationship with my college boyfriend, and he proposed. I notice that my mother's anger has escalated. She says my attitude has changed, and I say "yes" because I am happy. I also want to add that we are over 60, so we aren't kids. I still run her errands, but I just don't jump immediately. Now my mother yells, bangs on things, throws, and tells me to shut up. My mother tells me she doesn't want to hear anything I have to say. She doesn't talk to my adult children or my brother this way. She can also put on a nice face around others. Except she always complains about how bad she feels. It is so bad that her Church members ask does she ever feels good or fair. I love my mother, but I don't feel I should give up my life. My mother even bragged to me that my sister-in-law can never complain that my mother bothers my brother to do anything for her. Well, my brother is her child too, and honestly, I felt insulted. It's like she doesn't want me to be happy. My fiancé has always been kind and respectful, so I can't imagine why my mother wouldn't want him as her son-in-law. He has even asked if she would like to move in with us, and the comment was a hard NO. However, when I am around, she won't even watch a TV show with me. She goes to her room or goes to sleep. My fiance suggested maybe it's her medication but if that's the case how can she switch it on and off? I am just afraid of her anger and these outbursts.

Find Care & Housing
I don't want to disregard my mother, although she is so negative and controlling. I want my own life and to be allowed to be happy with my choices. I don't want to feel guilty for wanting a life that doesn't revolve around my mother and adult children. Initially, my mother tried to use my children as an excuse, but both are on board and don't care about my plans. Now that my mother sees she can't use my children, she is trying new tactics. The angry outbursts, her health, and now she's dying are her latest behaviors. In truth, my mother is pretty self-sufficient. I believe she uses her health/pains as a way to gain attention and manipulate. I could be wrong because we never know how someone else feels. However, her physician is not indicating anything unusual. I have left a message for her physician to inquire if perhaps the medication is causing the behavior changes. I am on her medical records to receive information. Even her dentist brags about her dental condition at her age. She does her laundry, cooks, cleans, and is in church leadership. She even feeds my dogs daily, which I told her I would do when I get home. She doesn't drive anymore and uses aging transportation for her medical appointments, which she schedules on her own.
Helpful Answer (0)
Reply to Tinalove
Report
AlvaDeer Jul 8, 2025
Basically you have two choices. Stay in the multi-generational home and live as you are, or leave with your fiancé and make your lives together.
It's up to you.
Mom isn't going to change.
No one can change this situation for you; again, it's up to you.
Good luck.
(2)
Report
Time to stop living in a multi-generational home came a long time ago, imho.
Why are you remaining in it?
Helpful Answer (5)
Reply to AlvaDeer
Report
Tinalove Jul 8, 2025
Hello,
It is a home that we purchased together.
(0)
Report
Time for way more separation from mean, griping mom, without apology. She’s decided to be unhappy, for whatever reason. To not let it bring you down, you must limit your exposure. Do what’s comfortable and doable for you to help her, let her find other help for things that are too much. Move forward to your future in your own place. Wishing you the best in your upcoming marriage
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to Daughterof1930
Report

Mom is clearly upset she is loosing her Caregiver Slave. She is misguided, has a terrible attitude and is a manipulator. Give Mom what she wants, and LEAVE. She doesn't want to see you happy! She can't control you if you are.

I would leave with my fiancee as soon as possible, and enjoy your best years with happiness. You have the gift of a new life, take it and run. Mom has had her long life of bullying you, and kissing up to everyone else. Stop doing her bidding and get out of there! Don't throw away your best years dealing with Mom's nonsense.

Whatever you do, DO NOT let Mom move in with you two.
Helpful Answer (4)
Reply to Dawn88
Report
Tinalove Jul 8, 2025
Thank you. My aunt (mom's sister) says the same thing. My aunt says my mom doesn't want me to get married, but I should not allow others to take my happiness away. My aunt also feels that my mother was spoiled growing up and wanted all of the attention, being the youngest in their family. My aunt feels that my uncles catered to her, my dad refused to because he was also the youngest and spoiled (the marriage ended in divorce), and now she expects me to do it. This could be old sibling resentments popping up from my aunt, however. My aunt tries to avoid my mother because my aunt says she tries to remain positive, and my mother complains about everything, is negative, and never thankful. My mother does try to control and boss everything and everyone, and the aggression and outbursts just happen at any time. Then the next day, she wants to pretend it didn't happen, and she is so nice. I live with Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde. I feel it's deliberate because people with mental health issues cannot control or change their behavior on a whim.
(0)
Report
Of course you shouldn't give up your life for your mother, who is a miserable old woman and who wants everyone else to be miserable too.
You and your fiancé deserve a happy life as far away from your mother as possible, so I do hope that you're planning on moving out sooner than later. And if it's your home that everyone is living in, then I wish you well in getting everyone out including your mother.
She'll have to either move into assisted living or a senior apartment where she can hire help with her own money of course.
You are not your mothers keeper.
I wish you well in starting a new and happy life with your fiancé on your own.
Helpful Answer (3)
Reply to funkygrandma59
Report

Don't deal with her at all! She is treating you with utter disrespect which you should not tolerate. Never move her in with you and your fiance unless you want her to ruin your marriage. You deserve a happy life now and mother deserves to be alone in her misery, she's earned it.

Best of luck to you in your new life.
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to lealonnie1
Report
Bulldog54321 Jul 7, 2025
I think they live together
(0)
Report
See 2 more replies
Either move 1000 miles away with your fiancé .
OR
You
set boundaries of what you are willing to do , and only do that . You can’t let Mom have control which is what she is trying to do .
I would not live with her . All I see here is that so far Mom only needs errands done . Mom feels threatened by your having a fiancé in your life. Mom was expecting you to be her caregiver and revolve around her until the end . She’s throwing guilt trips .

If this is your house , Find a senior apartment for Mom , you can have food etc ., delivered to her. Get her on a wait list if she qualifies for subsidized apartment . If she can afford a more expensive apartment sooner , great .

If this is her house it can be sold if she needs more care like assisted living.
Again move out. If it’s her house , if she is in need of more care at some point and refuses assisted living, you call APS, or the Area Agency of Aging.
Helpful Answer (3)
Reply to waytomisery
Report

Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter