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AIBU?

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AIBU to want to tell sibling I’m going no contact?

120 replies

Lostwelshlady · 25/06/2024 11:01

Background- I’m one of 3 siblings (middle child) I have never been close to oldest sibling, we’ve had various falling outs over the years but managed to remain civil if visiting our parents at the same time, would send xmas cards etc. I’m very close with my youngest sibling who is getting married in 3 days. They have had a similar relationship with older sibling, civil but not close, but was close with older siblings teenage children who were due to be in the wedding party.

For various reasons, our relationship with older sibling has become more strained due to siblings partner (in our opionion) taking advantage of our parents (lots of cash gifts to older siblings partner to save home from creditors due to business going bust twice) siblings partner making numerous comments about how well off they’ll be once my parents have passed (including talking about hoping to take ownership of family home when one parent was very ill in hospital)

My parents have (for reasons unknown to us) always favoured older sibling and their partner, and will not hear a single bad thing about them. At a recent family wedding older sibling tried to start an argument with youngest sibling because of their refusal to let them babysit their young child and various other non issues. Youngest sibling told them this wasnt the time or the place and to behave. (Parents sided with older sibling and said babysitting youngest siblings child would help them get over a recent early pregnancy loss)

A few days later oldest sibling called unannounced with youngest sibling, and continued the argument. Youngest sibling again told them to leave.

Two weeks ago oldest sibling goes into hospital with migrane/meningitis type symptoms. Parents blame youngest sibling for causing oldest sibling stress.

Wedding rehearsal last night, oldest sibling and family don’t show. Parents call them and are told they are abroad, and won’t be attended wedding. Young sibling is devastated as nieces/nephews were part of the wedding party, and seating plans etc now all incorrect. Parents say youngest sibling and me are to blame for not visiting oldest sibling in hospital etc. Youngest sibling sees this as an end to any type of relation with the older sibling, and I feel that I cannot forgive this either.

I don’t wish to fall out with my parents prior to siblings wedding, but also feel very protective of my youngest sibling and cannot stand them being blamed for older siblings behaviour and so feel I should stand up for them, but probably won’t say anything until after the wedding.I also want to contact older sibling to tell them how angry and disappointed I am that they have behaved this way towards youngest sibling, and sneaking off with days to go with no warning. My husband says not to bother and to just accept the relationship is now over without bothering to tell them I’m going no contact, but part of me feels I need to tell them how disappointed I am just to get some kind of closure. WWYD?

OP posts:
MatildaTheCat · 25/06/2024 11:07

Your DH is correct. Stay out of it and say nothing. Use your energy to support your sibling’s wedding.

stilllovebeetroot · 25/06/2024 11:09

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Knittedfairies2 · 25/06/2024 11:09

I'm with your husband; just drop the rope. Any communication with them now is just going to give them the opportunity to re-start the argument. Your older sibling has nailed his/her colours to the mast and chosen to go abroad without telling anyone in the family, including your parents if I've read your post correctly.
ETA: Enjoy the wedding, and don't give headspace to those who aren't there.

stilllovebeetroot · 25/06/2024 11:10

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Redshoeblueshoe · 25/06/2024 11:11

I would just go NC, and actually your parents sound horrible, so I think I'd go low or no contact with them too

stilllovebeetroot · 25/06/2024 11:12

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somedizzyhore1804 · 25/06/2024 11:12

Honestly I think “going no contact” is the adult equivalent of saying “I’m not speaking to you”.
Either confront them and tell them you’re upset with them and why, or if you are too upset with them, cut contact until you have calmed down and feel ready to have it out.
If you seriously feel like you want to end the relationship entirely and you genuinely think their behaviour is bad enough to justify that, and you don’t think there’s any way to work through it, then cut contact entirely. I don’t think you need to give them notice.

frightenedmum1 · 25/06/2024 11:13

Out od interest , who paid for siblings wedding?

My advice is be Switzerland, stay on good terms with all of them. Dont burn your bridges for something which is not your battle.

frightenedmum1 · 25/06/2024 11:17

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Going NC (aka sulking) will cause a family rift which wiill lead to a world of pain for your parents.
Just do what every other family does, and pretend.

RedRosesPinkLilies · 25/06/2024 11:17

If you actually state you’re going ‘no contact’ you may have to back track in the future.
much better to quietly reduce contact and leave it there. That’s probably what you’d do with a friend you didn’t get on with anymore

I think you’ve hinted at problems in the older siblings life - recent pregnancy loss. There’s perhaps more going on than you’re saying or know.

It all sounds a bit childish and sibling rivalry still playing out

stilllovebeetroot · 25/06/2024 11:18

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stilllovebeetroot · 25/06/2024 11:20

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TwoThousandAcresofBlueSkyThinking · 25/06/2024 11:21

Closure is for books and films, it rarely happens in RL with these types of relationships.

If I were you @Lostwelshlady I would go NC or LC if it's easier but I wouldn't say anything to anyone as it's likely to add fuel to their fire and you and your younger sibling will end up worse off, emotionally.

PussInBin20 · 25/06/2024 11:21

Agree with your DH.

Anabella321 · 25/06/2024 11:23

I would reconsider the relationship with your parents to be honest. Sounds as though they are central to all this drama.

stilllovebeetroot · 25/06/2024 11:23

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Mrsjayy · 25/06/2024 11:25

Your parents sound horrific your eldest siblings sounds a product of their favouritism the whole family sound dramatic, you won't gain anything from talking to the sibling concentrate on the wedding and afterwards just distance yourself from the toxicity I'm sorry your parents don't seem to like you and sibling that much

Roseyjane · 25/06/2024 11:26

I can see the temptation, you want to cause the older sibling some pain. But your husband is right.

Drttc · 25/06/2024 11:28

I was with you right up until you said the oldest sibling was in hospital and you didn’t visit. I think a lot of people would consider being hospitalised as a ‘see who your real friends are moment’ that easily trumps a wedding. Not showing up for them is why they’ve not shown up for the wedding.

stilllovebeetroot · 25/06/2024 11:31

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AnnaMagnani · 25/06/2024 11:31

Your DH is right. You don't like your older sibling so just stop contacting them or inviting them to stuff.

No need to make a grand announcement, which they will inevitably twist to make it all your fault.

LibbsLou · 25/06/2024 11:31

Its up to your parents if they want to give them money.

Why on earth your sibling woukd be devastated at them not coming is beyond me, surely it's music to their ears. And using an excuse as the table plan being wrong is terrible. So what, as if anyone will realise that.

Just don't contact them anymore and let it all be. You getting involved will achieve what?

stilllovebeetroot · 25/06/2024 11:32

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Merryoldgoat · 25/06/2024 11:34

I don’t understand why people put up with such awful treatment because ‘family’.

Your parents show you over and over they don’t care about you. So why do you care if they’re angry.

I love my children, I want them to love me back. So I treat them in a way that shows that.

FranticHare · 25/06/2024 11:37

Drttc · 25/06/2024 11:28

I was with you right up until you said the oldest sibling was in hospital and you didn’t visit. I think a lot of people would consider being hospitalised as a ‘see who your real friends are moment’ that easily trumps a wedding. Not showing up for them is why they’ve not shown up for the wedding.

Edited

Depends how long she was in for. Overnight - I wouldn't visit my sibling. I would keep updated, maybe video call, but not visit.

A week - I would pop in a few times

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