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Reply to bevely
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If she is judgemental and unfriendly, then it's normal and a good reason for you to reconsider your arrangement with her.

It's harmful for you to live in a negative environment caring for an unappreciative person - who ever they are.

Was your mother always like this? Or has she developed dementia and her personality has changed for the worst?

Caregiving has to work for both caregiver and the one being cared for. If this isn't working for you (sounds like it is not) then in your own interests you need to plan for a change. Even if she was not like this before, and it is due to disease not everyone is cut out to be a hands on caregiver. I know I am not. There is no shame in that.

More detail about your situation would help us to give better answers. Wishing you the best as you deal with this difficult circumstance.
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Reply to golden23
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BurntCaregiver Apr 28, 2025
Absolutely right, Golden. There's no shame in not being cut out to be a caregiver. Even people who take well to this kind if work don't have to tolerate being abused and mistreated.
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As soon as I read "You live with" I said "Oh No". You are living in her house, her rules apply.

This is a common post here, all I can say is, make a plan to move out and get your life back on track. Do whatever it takes, don't let guilt become your mantra, it is a self-imposed emotion that will keep you stuck.

There are options available, explore them.
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Reply to MeDolly
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Is mom normally judgmental and unfriendly? It could be medical. My mother was not normally cruel to me and one day she just said something to me that was out of character. Had her tested for a uti and a full on mental diagnosis - Found she had dementia and a uti. After that she was given some medication for the uti but the dementia was not fun to live with. I just chalked it up to the illness and knew that it was not her!
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Reply to Ohwow323
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Let me tell you something. When an adult child lives WITH a needy, senior parent in the parent's home, it's usually a disaster.
What happens is the needy parent is losing control over their own life and what they're able to do, so they compensate for that by becoming an abusive tyrant to their adult child/caregiver. Controlling their adult child's life makes them feel powerful. If the adult child is also financially dependent on them, their life is a living hell.

When a needy parent moves into the adult child's home it's different. There may be other behaviors like guilt-tripping, manipulation to get their own way, and negativity, but there isn't control.

You have to move out of your mother's house. Your life will be ruined for good if you don't. She can have caregivers. She can live in a care facility. You deserve a life.
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Reply to BurntCaregiver
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Your mom is critical and unhappy. I would consider whether this has a lot to do with her underlying personality or whether it is coming with aging and all the problems of aging, all the many losses of autonomy and ability. If mom ALWAYS had a tendency to be who she is, then that's an answer. If she is now different it may be worth discussion with a doctor as to a need to antidepressants. Often a low dose medication can help one deal with the many changes that come with aging.

In the end you may be left with the "mother-daughter-dance" that can last a lifetime in one form or another. Old age isn't a particularly happy time, and at 82 I can assure you of that. And who will you complain to? Well you will complain to the person you believe can/should help you make it OK, or to the only person still there to listen to you. Sadly that's it.

Try not to take it personally. When someone is this unhappy it is usually about THEM, not about YOU. Heart out to you. Get a break from it, find something that will bring you joy. Sometimes there's nothing for it but to go out into the garden with a hot cup of coffee and deep breathe.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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BurntCaregiver Apr 28, 2025
Or to put the complaining, abusive elder into a care facility. No one has to live in misery, be judged, guilted, manipulated and abused by a needy, elderly tyrant because they have no one else to lash out at. No way.

If the OP's mother is as bad as the post says she is, that is not going to improve. In act, it is going to get worse. Put her in a care facility. Nobody cares if she complains, rants, or is judgmental. They will simply ignore her.
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I’m not sure it matters if it’s normal. It’s not healthy to live in an environment where you feel judged and like you’re not wanted (what I would say unfriendly likely means) I hope you’ll search for a new plan for both you and mom, we only live once, why do it being made to feel bad? My dad firmly would not let his adult children live with him and he wouldn’t live with any of us, always said he’d seen it ruin too many relationships. I think dad was right
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Reply to Daughterof1930
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It shouldn't be normal but it is too common, as you'll find from reading the many unhappy accounts on this forum.

You aren't obligated to continue living with her and caring for her. Why waste your time on someone who has this attitude toward you? Start making plans to move out. She can use hired caregivers or go to a senior facility. Reclaim your life.

If you want to share more details, you'll find good advice and encouragement here.
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Reply to MG8522
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