Assalamu alaikum - Loving my mother is hard sometimes
Assalamu alaikum, I’m the eldest of five (three sisters and one brother). Our relationship with my mother is complicated and I wanted to share and ask for Islamic advice. My mother has a very short temper and gets angry quickly, especially when stressed. In those moments she sometimes says hurtful things and makes negative du‘aas against me and my siblings. That has been heavy on all of us. Yet when she’s calm she can be very loving and caring. I think a lot of her behavior comes from worry, but it often comes out in harmful ways. My father is usually busy with work and travels a lot. Even when he’s home he doesn’t do much to help, so my mother ends up being the dominant and feared figure at home. Because of this I grew up faster than my siblings. I started asking for very little, tried to help around the house, and relied on myself. My younger siblings, especially my sisters, didn’t learn as many practical skills because my mother refuses help in the kitchen or household. I sometimes joke that if she doesn’t teach them basic chores they’ll struggle later, and she replies that her daughters shouldn’t be burdened and should focus on education. I agree education is important, but I still feel that sharing tasks and learning basic life skills would ease her load. I taught myself basic cooking and chores from YouTube just so I could try to help, but even then my help is often turned down. Over time her relationship with my sisters has worsened. They argue a lot and it ends with shouting and harsh words. She’s more softened toward me, which puts me in a tough emotional spot. What worries me most is that I’ll be going abroad to study soon. I feel huge guilt about leaving her with all the responsibilities, especially with my father away for work. It feels like I’m her only support at home and I’m scared about what will happen when I leave. I’m trying to be a dutiful son and fulfill my responsibilities, but I feel overwhelmed and unsure. I would really appreciate advice from an Islamic perspective: how to deal with a parent who is loving but sometimes emotionally harmful, how to maintain respect and care while protecting my own wellbeing, and how to go abroad without feeling like I’m abandoning my duty. Jazakum Allahu khairan.