How can my boyfriend's family escape an abusive mother?

My boyfriend's family is a shambles. In the centre of it all, the mother has recently (about 4 months ago) discovered online dating and it makes her feel good when she receives good feedback. Now she has found a man she speaks with all day and everyday....

She has a family business but she isn't paying it enough attention and the house is badly in need of money with this winter where they went for a stretch where they just couldnt afford food.
The youngest is 13 and she verbally abuses him whenever she feels she cant get him to do as she wants with bully-like name calling and an example today she accused him of doing something that stopped her being able to talk to her online boyfriend and she flipped out and punched him in the arm and also shouting at him. All of this when he didnt do a thing.

She's almost like a child who cannot control herself and no one can control her as after all she is the mother and the children (though my boyfriend is 26) cannot really tell her what to do. She is often short tempered with everyone and my boyfriend can't stand it much longer. He has to look after the house basically making sure things are ok and esp has to protect the youngest. What can he do to help the situation? To make her take responsibility?
What can anyone do to make it better?
I'm afraid that the answer might be that they just have to ride it out until the youngest can move out and fend for himself... but this wont be for several years yet...

Hi miesha, I think your bf who is the oldest needs to have a good hard talk with his mother and explain to her all the things she is doing wrong and how it is affecting the family negatively. I also think your bf should stop doing things that are actually mom's responsibility and let her know he won't do them anymore. She is now in a place that she doesn't have to worry cuz she knows he will take care of it. They don't have to ride it out, if she still doesn't listen and change there is probably someone who has more power over her and he should talk to that person for help. If that doesnt help he can threaten to inform the authorities about her neglect. Hope this helps. All the best.

It appears she may not be acting like a fit Parent (taking her responsibilities seriously)....there are remedies for an 'unfit Parent'.

Well, Skeedo's idea of having your boyfriend talk to their mother would probably be a good start. If it doesn't take effect, and this is pretty much a last-resort sort of option, charges of neglect and abuse can be reported, and the children might be taken away from her. I should hope that it doesn't have to come to that. Good luck!