It is mean to cut your mother off.
Fred, who pays the rent for his elderly mother's apartment has recently been unhappy with how she talks to him.
Fred wants to show his mom he's mad at her.
Fred decides to call up his mother and leaves a long message on her answering machine explaining his feelings about her tone.
Fred decides to call up the bank and cancel all outstanding bill payments on his account, essentially ensuring his mother's eviction.
Fred's mother is glad Fred communicated with her about what made him so mad so she can work on fixing it.
Fred's mother is devastated and in her frail old condition is unable to cope physically or emotionally.