Today my Mom came to watch my kids while I had my chemotherapy appointment at the hospital. She quickly left after I got back. I would have liked her to stay for a while because I’m not at my best but at least my kids had supervision when I needed it. The problem is when I got home my daughter was hungry. I’m not sure if she wasn’t fed lunch or just hungry like usual. She kept looking in the fridge over and over. I went to help her get a snack because I had stocked the fridge yesterday with a lot of groceries including easy to eat prepared foods. Every single thing is gone. Mom must have bagged up all of my groceries and took them home. I don’t even have milk or apple juice for my kids. I’ve called her several times and she isn’t picking up. I called my brother who doesn’t live with her and he said he will speak to her and get back to me. He’s pissed. Should I call the police? I’m really thinking about it because it’s several hundred dollars of groceries I needed for the week and being so close to Christmas it’s hard financially to replace
If your daughter had come home from school, found no food, and told you her babysitter had taken everything from the fridge, would you feel more obligation to protect her or to preserve the babysitter’s reputation?
What part of you still believes that being a “good daughter” means enduring harm that you would never allow your own children to experience?
If this same situation happened again next week, and your children asked why you let it happen, what story would you want them to believe about who you are and what matters to you?
I’m sure we can’t have Christmas with her if I call the police but I do think it’s necessary.
What would the downside of not having Christmas with her be? Not giving the chance to steal your kids´ presents from under the tree?
Why would you WANT to have Christmas with someone who steals food from you and your children?
Theft of items with a value over $50.00. Punishable crime in every jurisdiction in the country.
If you live in the US, call the police, report the theft, and tell them you believe it was your mother. They WILL deal with her.
And of course, NEVER leave your mother alone in your house again.
I’m in Canada but I’m sure the rules are probably very similar. It was about 300 in groceries
Are you willing to never allow your mother into your home again? Because it might come to that. I know she stole, but is it worth losing the childcare that she’s providing when you burn that bridge? Support during your health struggled? Your answer might be Yes, and that’s ok. The cops won’t stand there and watch her place your stuff back in the fridge, so it’s probably a ticket or jail and that has consequences (on her and on your relationship).
Edit: also, have you checked your jewelry, perfumes, clothes, handbags? Any chance she is undiagnosed kleptomaniac?
She hasn’t been present helping me during my cancer diagnosis or with my kids and my son’s health problems. We’ve only seen each other probably 10 times this year and she lives nearby. I have nothing of any value that anyone would want to steal. I don’t keep money in the house and my jewelry is costume jewelry.
Nothing of value except THE FOOD YOU NEED TO FEED YOURSELF AND YOUR CHILDREN
Yeah I definitely needed the groceries that’s why I did a big shop yesterday so I’d have things for them
Your “mother” is the biggest asshole for stealing from her sick daughter and her grandchildren! Report the theft to the police.
She stole your food, while you were at *chemotherapy*? Food you’ll have a hard time replacing?
No, YWNTBA, but your mother sure is one. She literally took the food out of her grandchildren’s mouths.
nah that’s insane. u’re fighting for ur life and she’s out here clearing the whole fridge like it’s a black friday sale. u did nothing wrong even thinking about calling the cops.
OP, respectfully, what the actual fuck is wrong with your mom?