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Accepting help from an Abuser...

User Profile: ImpudentIncognito
ImpudentIncognito February 14th, 2024

Has anyone ever accepted "help" from an abuser?...
How did it turn out for you? (ex. Did you end up in low-contact? Did you have to stay away again shortly after and go no-contact? Did legal issues arise from receiving help from abuser or did the abuser harm your family in any way?...)

A lot of uncomfortable feelings have cropped up and I'm unsure of where to start...

I guess, first off, I recently got in contact with my (abusive) mother who lives 1,000+ kilometers away and who used to verbally, physically, and SA me during my childhood up until I left the house at 18 years old... and have been gone for a couple of decades and stayed gone away from my family.

I didn't really have a choice in terms of being in contact based on my current situation. I haven't been able to work for months due to dealing with chronic pain, as a new addition of pain caused from me quitting MJ, alcohol, and caffeine lately, which ended up making me bedridden.  Was nauseas for days, dizzy, sharp pain in the chest/ribs, and blurry/double vision along with my whole body radiating with pain...

Anyhow, due to these issues, it has made me unable to work, which has caused me to be (nearly) evicted. Luckily, the landlord is very kind and allowed for a payment plan... I'm getting my tax money soon, but may not receive it by the time the payment is due.


So I ended up breaking no-contact with my eldest brother who lives with our mother to ask for one-time help...And they're offering to help me + get things for me & my son...It feels very...unpleasant...I wonder if this will end up biting me in the butt?

In the past, my mother would not acknowledge my son as her grandson, saying she "doesn't know [son] enough" to really say he is a big part of her life(my son is PRESCHOOL AGE! She said this when he was a TODDLER!). She said these things due to her hatred of my ex-fiancé (I mean, I don't like him either, based on him nearly making me unalive). However, her reasons for hating him were shallow. For example, my ex-fiancé was not the same religion as HER, not the same race/ethnicity as HER, and not tall enough according to HER standards. She doesn't like that out of all of my siblings, I had a child first (I am the only female sibling, and also the 2nd youngest...it's a cultural thing I don't necessarily agree with -- in term of why she doesn't like that I had a child first)

I happen to be mixed race (my mother is an immigrant from another country, my father is a different race from my mother) and my mother used to always make racist remarks about my dad's race (my parents are separated) and would say things like "You know how (racial slur)s are" and dumb stuff like that. She used to compare me to my father and say things such as "I hate your dad. You're just like him!" After all the pain and grief she has caused me growing up, she NEVER apologized, and NEVER recognized how the things she said or did were hurtful or harmful. Only would say "I don't remember that. Whatever..." and "I'm sorry YOU feel that way". She's infallible in her eyes.

Anyways, as soon as the tax money comes, I plan on paying them back ASAP. I don't want any other further connections with my parents.

She made some uncomfortable comments recently while talking on the phone, now that she knows that I have medical issues. She said
"Can I ask you something? I was wondering if anything happens to you Cog, would you let me have [son's name]? Will you put me in your Will?"

Uhm...Excuse me??? I'm not dying or anything. I shrugged off what she said on the phone and went "Well, I'm not planning on dying anytime soon so...I'm keeping [son]." ((Plus, I have a partner, but she does not know that! My partner has offered in the past, we talked about some things...based on health and other stuff. Been feeling depressed a lot lately...)).

Then she changed the subject to "Oh, are you planning on staying in [city]? Will you be moving? Will you stay in touch? Are you planning on going to [state]? I heard that there are a lot of [political party] in that state so it wouldn't be a good place to live."

I just gave vague answers and mentioned "Who knows? I'm focused on trying to not get evicted and trying to recover my health." because I don't want to give her any indicators where I'll be going. That state that she mentioned WAS one of the places I planned on going, I might have let it slip to my oldest brother a long time ago, and he probably told my mother. 


She also made some subtle comments asking how I was able to support myself when I was going through the medical issues, and I said I had some government assistance. I didn't want to tell her about my partner, but she probably heard from my oldest brother as well, he's bad at keeping secrets from my mother. I wouldn't tell her anything haha, so she dropped it after awhile when she couldn't get any info.


She also immediately compared me and my son to my oldest brother. 
"Oh he's tall? He's just like [oldest brother]."
"Oh, you've been having medical issues? [Oldest brother] has been struggling too!"
"Oh, you're not working? Neither is [oldest brother]"


Uh...okay...He can just tell me some of these things himself.
She also didn't believe me a long time ago when I mentioned my son started reading at 3, because my oldest brother started reading at 4, and she would brag about it.

Funny thing is, I ALSO started reading around that age as well, but I guess she forgot I remembered being able to read in preschool. I loved reading, and my son shares the same affinity as myself.

My honest feelings about all of this?...
I don't want her in my life, and considering she SA me, I don't want her to do something awful to my son. I don't trust her.

Why did I accept help from her?...

My partner is unable to assist at this time, as he is going through some stuff and doesn't have the financial means, but says once it's sorted, he'll be able to help (I also want to return the favour, as he helped me out a LOT). He also live a couple of hours away.

I have no friends here anymore, except for some creepy stalker friend, some people who want to cause harm to me, 2 brothers who live here (2nd oldest brother and younger brother) treat me poorly, "friends" who only want to use me for "pleasure" (I avoid them like the plague, they say some gross and creepy things to me), and my ex-fiancé who nearly made me unalive.


I have no one to turn to, and couldn't get rental assistance, hardly any places are offering. Just had a neighbour get evicted and kicked out of her home. It's getting bad in this area...Another reason why I want to move out of this state, but my partner and I are waiting for the right time. I'll have to research a new Speech Therapist and daycare/school for son. I'll need to make sure I'm able to work at that time (if not, my partner said it's OK) OR at least have income from disabilities or unemployment until I recover...And we'd need to get new cars. My car is gone and his car has an engine problem. So, just one nice car to start off with at least. I also...need to figure out child support (again) before I leave this state....And deal with some other things.

Those are just a few things I have to handle.

Thank you for reading my rambling, I appreciate it by the way. 
I hope everyone is doing OK!


3
User Profile: Mya000
Mya000 February 19th, 2024

@ImpudentIncognito It sounds like you're going through an incredibly challenging time. It takes a lot of courage to reach out and share your feelings, especially when dealing with such complex and painful family dynamics. It's understandable that you're feeling conflicted about accepting help from your mother, given the history of abuse and manipulation. It's important to prioritize your safety and well-being, as well as that of your son.

It's positive that you're planning to repay the assistance as soon as possible and that you're clear about not wanting any further connections with your parents. Prioritizing your own boundaries are crucial steps towards healing and moving forward. It's also commendable that you're exploring options for support, even in a challenging situation where resources may be limited.

You deserve compassion, understanding, and support as you navigate through these difficult circumstances. Please take care of yourself, and don't hesitate to reach out if you need someone to talk to. I hope things start looking up for you soon.

2 replies
User Profile: ImpudentIncognito
ImpudentIncognito OP February 22nd, 2024

@Mya000 Hello, I appreciate your response. It feels very validating based on what I'm going through. I ended up getting my tax money, however, I'm not able to pay my mother back right away based on paying off rent (to prevent eviction) and paying off some bills.

Currently, trying to figure out this disabilities thing and income...A little scared to go back to work right away due to the medical issues. My partner should be in the job field soon though, once he gets his license in the field he's working towards(I'm also working towards a license in the field I want to go into). We're both trying to start a life together, hopefully once my lease ends in June.

Once I recover though and am able to work, planning on cutting off former (abusive) family, save money for the future, and never look back.

It's exciting, yet daunting at the same time.

Thank you for listen to me ramble, I appreciate it. 🌻


1 reply
User Profile: Mya000
Mya000 February 22nd, 2024

@ImpudentIncognito It's great to hear that you've received your tax money! Wishing you the best of luck as you navigate through these challenges. Remember, I'm here if you need to talk or just need some support along the way. Take care <3

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