I definitely feel powerless and outnumbered when it comes to this issue. I know I'm not going to come between a mother and her son. He definitely acknowledges she has a problem, but we live across the country and he hates thinking about this issue every time he contacts or visits her. It always comes up and she never follows through with plans we've made or promises she's made to him. Rather than constantly be in conflict with his mother, sometimes he just drops it to keep the peace and have pleasant times with her when he can.

I just spent a month with them while we transitioned to a new city. We helped her move into her new house and were supposed to get her storage units moved to her home, but it caused so much drama we eventually gave up. They've had years of practice denying and sweeping things under the rug...as for me, I could not stand being there any longer once we "gave up." It's hard to make small talk and try to find distractions when you're seeing it play out before you. It's not my mom, so I throw up my hands, shut up, and focus on my own life for the most part. I know that won't be possible when we get married, however.

Ai yi yi! LOL I don't want to give an ultimatum...those seem to cause a lot of resentment and I know people cannot be forced to change. Afterall, if she wants to live this life style, god bless her. I know she is not happy, though, and it's sad at the end of the day. She's running out of money and credit and will eventually have to face the music. I WILL have to pose an ultimatum when I see money being siphoned from our joint accounts to pay for her storage unit...I'd rather personally move her junk into her house and be done before letting that occur!