Honoring a Mother Who Makes Remarks to Children
Question
Hello, A person whose mother has some mental disorder, and when she meets his children, she frequently makes many remarks to the children (could be even at a rate of once a minute) - move, don't sit, don't touch, make sure it doesn't get dirty, it's germs, what will be, etc. How should the son act to maintain her honor while also preserving the mental health of his family?
Answer
Shalom Rav,
Even if the mother is not in a state of sanity, it is obligatory to honor her as much as possible.
The father is allowed to explain to his children, not in her presence, that the mother's remarks are incorrect, and she does not mean them, but she has personal difficulties that causes her to make such remarks.
This way, the children will not be hurt.
Source
Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De'ah, Siman 240, Sif 10