My mother has lived with us since 2003; it was supposed to be temporary while she caught up on bills. Long story short, she is finanically irresponsible & cannot support herself, and she has no other options.

She has never paid rent, utilities, or anything else. Every great once in a while she buys milk or outs $10 of gas in one of our vehicles, but she doesn'y pay any insurance or upkeep even though she drives my car more than me. We even pay for her cable. She buys groceries for herself, but she still eats the food we buy.

Since my son was born in 2005, we have tried to make it clear to her that just because she lives here does not mean she has any part in raising him. We do not use her for baby-sitting; I am a stay-at-home mom. She has continued to overstep her boundaries as a grandparent.

Today, my son was in the yard with me; she took him away (he's 4yrs old BTW) without my permission. This is not the first time she has done something with our son without our permission, deliberately going against whatever we have told her.

I told her she has no right to do as she pleases with my son. She immediately threatened to sue for custody. I told her that she didn't have any legal right, to which she replied, "I'll take him one way or another."

I told her to get her things & get out of my house. (My husband is out of state for a wedding.) She told me that if I tried to kick her out of my house, she would call 911 and tell them I was abusing her & my son, so she would get custody of my son.

Obviously, I can no longer have this woman in my house. She is so mentally unstable that my brother wants me to have her committed. She even talks about raising my son when I'm dead, which is creepy.

My first problem is getting her out of the house. It's unhealthy to have her around any of us at this point in time, but she will be homeless, and she is diabetic with other medical issues. I don't know what to do with her. My husband wants me to take our son & stay with my brother until we can get her out. Ideas? Suggestions?

My other question is what to do about her threats. Should I contact the police before we do anything else? We moved his toddler bed into our room because we are afraid she will go in his room at night while we are sleeping. My son can't do anything without her hovering around him obsessively. Even he has told her to leave him alone.

I thought she was just an irresponsible busybody until today. I had no idea that she was planning anything.

Mom to mom I'd definitely take your son and yourself and leave and stay with your brother till your hubby is there to support you just make sure anything you don't want her messing with is locked in your room if possible. Yes I'd definitely contact authorities and let them know that she's been making threats and that your worried for your safety and your sons and ask them what legal rights you have that way if she makes any accusations they have it on file they you contacted them first. The most important thing here is you and your son's safety so pack some bags and leave. Good luck!

I would handle things differently. Does this woman have a doctor? Can you try talking to that doctor and detailing her behavior? Go with your brother to do this. There may be medical issues that the doctor can deal with to alleviate the situation or he may agree that she needs to be institutionalized, at least for awhile.

A different tact would be, if you can document the threats, to file for a restraining order against her. This will force her out of the house.

I would NOT leave the house in her possession.

Evict her. You have a responsibility to care for your child, not your parent. If she cannot hold down a job, direct her to the local homeless shelter.

As for her threats, tell her to call 911. Tell her to file for custody. Tell her to sue you for whatever she wants. Then tell her to gtfo.

Why after doing this is she still living in the house. She is a proven danger it appears.

At least evict her and make sure your son is not alone with her till she is forced to move ot.

Laugh at her custody threats

I agree that you need to evict her - in your State a temporary restraining order (citing her behavior as dangerous to your son) might also get her legally locked out.

Do NOT leave her alone in your house or you may very well not have a house when you get back.

Taking her to Court may also lead to a medical/mental exam and evaluation. There could be underlying problems here.

I would handle things differently. Does this woman have a doctor? Can you try talking to that doctor and detailing her behavior? Go with your brother to do this. There may be medical issues that the doctor can deal with to alleviate the situation or he may agree that she needs to be institutionalized, at least for awhile.

A different tact would be, if you can document the threats, to file for a restraining order against her. This will force her out of the house.

I would NOT leave the house in her possession.

Scott I do totally agree with you but honestly if someone, especially a family member, was threatening to take my children from me and was living in my house and my husband was out of town I wouldn't feel safe sleeping in that home. At least not until I figured out how to get them out lol! So yes I totally agree I just was thinking go for a night or two till the hubby gets back. :p

While I understand the concern, I would take other steps. Ask the brother to move in for a couple of days. Get another relative or friend to move in.

But I can't advise leaving the house in the hands of the mother.

Unfortunately this is a legal thread and leaving the house is a very bad idea. Agree with Scott - get someone else to come in OR move for an emergency protective order.