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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think this is asking a lot?!

159 replies

Foodfrezy · 03/09/2024 20:51

Person A works 10 hours a day and drives.

Person B works 2 hours a day but doesn’t not drive.

B would like A to come and collect them after work several times a week, visit a family member and then drop them home.

This will be a 40 mile round trip for A in the evening after work when they’re tired (not to mention the extra time and petrol costs).

A said they can’t do this several times a week after work due to the time/cost etc

B is not happy about this. Due to the countryside location, B’s only other option is a taxi which they cannot afford. B says they cannot work more due to their mental health but because they’re self employed what they can claim via universal credit is very limited.

YABU: A should do the 40 mile round trip for B a few times a week

YANBU: B needs to fit in with when A feels able to do the 40 mile round trip or make their own arrangements to see family member.

OP posts:
InterIgnis · 04/09/2024 19:46

worcesterpear · 03/09/2024 23:53

Impossible to say without the wider context. I'm assuming the person to visit is an elderly/unwell parent. You obviously think your sibling is in some way exaggerating their mental health problems, but if they can't travel to see them any other way then you need to compromise. Maybe just go together on weekends. If your sibling is unreasonable, explain that your long shifts are impacting on your mental health too.

They need to sort their own travel out. OP doesn’t ‘need’ to compromise at all.

Pixiedust88 · 04/09/2024 19:17

YANBU. My SD is really bad with money and if she goes to a friends house she conveniently doesn’t have a way to get home as she hasn’t got any money for the taxi back. She guilt trips her grandad into picking her up and taking her home which is on the other side of town to where they live. She tried it with me a couple of times but I flat out said no that I wasn’t her own private taxi. She tried saying that I do it for her dad (he can’t drive for medical reasons) to which my answer was he pays for half the finance, insurance, tax and petrol so if he needed picking up from bloody Scotland I’d drive up for him because he at least contributes. She has never once offered money for petrol before anyone asks.

so no YANBU

pictoosh · 04/09/2024 18:29

Absolutely no chance. Your brother is deluded.

Petlover9 · 04/09/2024 18:27

yeesh · 03/09/2024 20:54

B is a cheeky fucker

Yeesh, I could not put it better😁

campertess · 04/09/2024 18:17

A doesn’t need to do anything for B and B doesn’t have the right to say whether A is tired after their shift no matter how many hours A works. I would tell B to get stuffed and change the entitled attitude. I would not do a single thing for someone who treats me like that.

Foodfrezy · 04/09/2024 17:21

AcrossthePond55 · 04/09/2024 15:13

@Foodfrezy

How are you doing? I know that if you've been conditioned by your parents/others to say 'how high' when B says 'jump' it can be a lot to take in when a huge chorus says "You don't have to do that".

Even though you know that you are right & that B is a CF, you may feel that we're telling you to swim against the current of a raging river. Especially if you still have people around you saying you need to 'help' B. It can be scary to change a lifetime's worth of habit. But it's also worthwhile.

Just know that you are right and they are wrong. And if you don't feel strong enough to swim against that tide, there is help out there for you to get strong enough. The golden child/black sheep dynamic isn't just about promoting B's desires, it's also about tearing yours down so you're compliant. So if this 'rings true' to you, consider getting counseling to help you pick things apart and put them back together in a way that proves to you that you are 'worthy' and have the right to determine your own life. And that B needs to take care of his own 'needs'.

Best of luck to you.

Edited

Thank you, much appreciated.

OP posts:
AcrossthePond55 · 04/09/2024 15:13

@Foodfrezy

How are you doing? I know that if you've been conditioned by your parents/others to say 'how high' when B says 'jump' it can be a lot to take in when a huge chorus says "You don't have to do that".

Even though you know that you are right & that B is a CF, you may feel that we're telling you to swim against the current of a raging river. Especially if you still have people around you saying you need to 'help' B. It can be scary to change a lifetime's worth of habit. But it's also worthwhile.

Just know that you are right and they are wrong. And if you don't feel strong enough to swim against that tide, there is help out there for you to get strong enough. The golden child/black sheep dynamic isn't just about promoting B's desires, it's also about tearing yours down so you're compliant. So if this 'rings true' to you, consider getting counseling to help you pick things apart and put them back together in a way that proves to you that you are 'worthy' and have the right to determine your own life. And that B needs to take care of his own 'needs'.

Best of luck to you.

SD1978 · 04/09/2024 02:17

Not sure why you're continuing with the A & B shite, since you're A and your sister is B. So tell your sister absolutely not, it's not your responsibility. Do you work 5 days a week? At most if you're wanting to visit your parents with your sister, I'd (maybe) commit to once a fortnight. How frequently do you currently see your parents together, and why has your sister come up with this new increased visit schedule?

redalex261 · 04/09/2024 02:00

Sibling B needs to either move to a location with suitable public transport links for a non driver. Alternatively B could get a taxi or pay someone else who’s not putting in ten hours per day already. Even better to up their hours considerably, two per day is derisory unless it’s part of a short term plan of easing back into sustained employment.

I also have serious doubts about the severity of their mental health condition - the OP said “they SAY they can’t work more” indicating they believe B is exaggerating. I would think if B is competent to do three trips every week to make social visits and pressure someone into facilitating these visits they would be fit enough to boost their earnings - as a self employed person they are not being pressured by an employer and can be far more flexible in managing work on any bad MH days.

Person B sounds like he’s got used to his current level of free time and doesn’t want to go back to the daily grind.

Fraaahnces · 04/09/2024 01:30

B is a CF who needs to learn to drive and pay for an Uber until then. Get real.

redtrain123 · 04/09/2024 01:26

RosyappleA · 03/09/2024 23:53

OP is your brother threatening suicide if you don’t do as he says? I just don’t understand otherwise why you haven’t told him to do one.

Even if he is, still not A’s problem. He can go and live with family if that important.

worcesterpear · 03/09/2024 23:53

Impossible to say without the wider context. I'm assuming the person to visit is an elderly/unwell parent. You obviously think your sibling is in some way exaggerating their mental health problems, but if they can't travel to see them any other way then you need to compromise. Maybe just go together on weekends. If your sibling is unreasonable, explain that your long shifts are impacting on your mental health too.

RosyappleA · 03/09/2024 23:53

OP is your brother threatening suicide if you don’t do as he says? I just don’t understand otherwise why you haven’t told him to do one.

IWasHittingMyMarks · 03/09/2024 23:52

I'd stop engaging with B until they stopped making ridiculous requests.

Hard no, OP. Tell B to do one.

Normallynumb · 03/09/2024 23:41

Ah missed the social rather than work
You need to tell him No chance,. Or " on your bike" literally!

MancunianMum · 03/09/2024 23:39

How far away is the parent they want to see?
Does the parent need the help or company?
Why can't your brother cycle?
Why can't the parent visit your brother instead?
What is the parent's expectation?

invisiblecat · 03/09/2024 23:38

I would be interested to know what mental health condition limits you (one) to working 2h a day.

I believe in this case it might be idlelayaboutitis.

Normallynumb · 03/09/2024 23:37

B is a CF.
If they cant get on a bus or train like most people would, then they need to find a new job

niadainud · 03/09/2024 23:29

MammaGisAF · 03/09/2024 21:06

Are A&B in a relationship? Married couple? If so I’d say A should make the effort maybe once a week. Any other relationship I think maybe not? Depends doesn’t it? If B is A’s elderly widowed mother then maybe A should do it. See what I mean?!

Eh?

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 03/09/2024 23:29

Tell your brother to get to fuck. He is a CF manchild and needs to take responsibility for his life. His problem is not yours to solve

planAplanB · 03/09/2024 23:20

I would do this once a week for my sister to support her and help improve her mental health.
I would not do this for my brother who is a spoilt brat, always expecting lifts to family events and mum still does his washing and ironing!!

Clauz · 03/09/2024 23:12

B is VERY unreasonable. A is not a taxi and that volume of chauffeuring on top of long days of work would not be ok!

Fedupdoc · 03/09/2024 23:06

A needs to stop enabling B and tell them to learn to drive and get over themselves

Fastback · 03/09/2024 23:05

Tell B to fuck off.

BettyBardMacDonald · 03/09/2024 23:03

Why can't B move in with parents?