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AIBU?

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Ignorant sister.

87 replies

bubblesxx · 17/11/2024 09:56

To sum it up I bend myself backwards to support my sister. She's currently living in temporary accommodation with my nephew and niece after loosing her rental, a nice temporary accommodation she's got her own little lodge, I've emotionally and physically supported her every step of the way, I feed her children, give her money, wash and dry her clothes, anything she needs I'm there, but she's also quite selfish, if you can't do something her attitude changes. Regardless we see and speak daily as our children go to the same school, but on Friday after school pick up for the entire weekend she falls of the end of the earth, I call and she ignores, I message no response, not a message to say she's a little busy nothing at all until the next Monday at school drop off, and I'm beginning to get a little frustrated with it and feel like she only initiates conversation with me when she needs something. She's well aware my life is quite isolating I have 2 neurodivergent children, no car I mostly just spent my time inside and I enjoy small conversations with people throughout the day to feel less alone, am I being unreasonable? I just constantly feel used and then dropped when I'm no longer needed.

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Richiewoo · 17/11/2024 17:19

Grow a backbone and start telling her no.

JLou08 · 17/11/2024 17:13

To be honest I wouldn't be picking up the phone to someone I have spoken to for 5 days straight. I find social interaction draining, I especially struggle with calls and do watch the phone ring when I don't have the energy to talk. I would make more of an effort if I knew someone felt isolated but would likely suggest a scheduled face to face get together at the weekend rather than being available all weekend for phone calls. Maybe let her know how you feel and listen to what her reasons are for not answering. There may be an opportunity for a compromise.

yoghurt05 · 17/11/2024 17:12

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ttcat37 · 17/11/2024 17:07

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Or you don’t want to read the thread back? I’m really not super invested in this. I’m happy to step in when I think someone has been cruel to another on a post. But I’m not going to spend hour trying to teach a grown up how not to be mean. If you’ve got time to carry on, perhaps take your sage advice to the OP about getting a hobby.

yoghurt05 · 17/11/2024 17:03

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MikeRafone · 17/11/2024 17:01

concentrate on your own life and making friends that will be there at the weekends. If you spend all your time and energy on someone who is not meeting you half way in a friendship - then, allow that to take a back seat and make more time for other people.

ttcat37 · 17/11/2024 17:00

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Just read the thread back, although if you don’t think what you said was cruel at the time it’s not like a few hours later is going to make much difference.

yoghurt05 · 17/11/2024 16:58

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yoghurt05 · 17/11/2024 16:55

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ttcat37 · 17/11/2024 16:53

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I’d rather be sensitive than repeatedly asking cruel questions.
She probably didn’t reply because she was getting bombarded by horrible remarks by you. She clearly wanted help rather than defend herself about how many friends she’s got.

yoghurt05 · 17/11/2024 16:44

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yoghurt05 · 17/11/2024 16:42

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Shinyandnew1 · 17/11/2024 13:11

I feed her children, give her money, wash and dry her clothes, anything she needs

Why? Stop doing all that and let her feed her own kids and wash her own clothes.

Nothing here suggests she is ignorant though! You do you and let her do her. If she sees you every day, she probably wants to do something else at the weekend!

ttcat37 · 17/11/2024 13:06

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You’re fairly active yourself judging by how many times you’ve had a pop at OP this morning…

ttcat37 · 17/11/2024 13:05

Nanny0gg · 17/11/2024 10:44

Why on earth did you need to say that?

The unnecessary spitefulness on here is something else!

Edited

Why did yoghurt lady need to say any of the things she said, repeatedly, including repeatedly asking OP if she had no friends?

Dishwashersaurous · 17/11/2024 12:28

If you see each other every single weekday, then why do you need to see her at the weekend?

Or if you see each other every day then surely you have a conversation about the weekend and plan to see each other?

SlightlyGoneOff · 17/11/2024 12:10

category12 · 17/11/2024 11:18

I don't think it's that unreasonable of her to need some space at the weekends if you see each other every day during the week.

Sounds like you need to focus on building up some friendships outside of your immediate circle.

If you resent helping her out as much as you do, do less.

I think that’s fair. OP, you seem to be implicitly exchanging ‘services’ for company/friendship here. You think she owes you company at the weekend because you’ve helped her on weekdays, at the expense of yourself and your family. Bluntly, OP, this never works as a basis for anything. The person being helped just sees you as a service provider. Step back from all the helping. Only offer what you want to, and what you have the bandwidth for. Put your energy into finding or renewing friendships elsewhere. Your sister isn’t giving you what you want.

ThinWomansBrain · 17/11/2024 11:54

....then it stopped a few months ago, she just started ignoring me and it hurts because I feel used and unwanted, I don't have friends I'm quite socially awkward we have always been each other a best friends

How does the timeline of her reduced contact fit in with her losing her home? working, solo parenting two children and moving would be hard enough, let alone when the move is forced on her.
She may be a bit of a user, but you need to say no occasionally, rather than always taking things on with the unspoken expectation that she will be available to support you 24/7

Hyperbowl · 17/11/2024 11:40

Gently OP, she behaves like this because she knows you will let her. You’re enabling her and helping to create and sustain this problem. If you’re not prepared to say no and back away then there really is no point in complaining about it because it won’t change unless you do. Unless she is disabled and needs an extremely high amount of support then there is no reason you should be feeding her kids, doing her house work and basically wiping her ass for her. Say no, repeatedly and stick to it. Ignore any moods, cold shoulder or abuse and don’t answer her calls or messages. Stop pandering to her. Start putting your husband and children first instead of her and her children when she’s perfectly capable.

viques · 17/11/2024 11:38

bubblesxx · 17/11/2024 10:03

I'm not worried I know she's okay, I know her and I know when she can't be bothered she just ignores her phone and watches it ring, I've seen her do this many of times, it's just a kick in the teeth considering how much I do for her every single weekend I'm invisible to her

I think you need to decide whether you are helping her because she and her children are vulnerable and you don’t want to see them fall down any more cracks, or if she is your do good/save mankind one sibling at a time project and you need it acknowledging.

snowlady4 · 17/11/2024 11:26

Sounds like you are being taken for a fool.
Ask her to do something for you- see what she says.
If she has no washing machine in her temporary place, it's kind of you to do her washing- but, it's a lot doing 3 peoples washing for them every week, on top of your own! Perhaps she needs to think of an alternative?
As others have said, perhaps just ask her why she goes into radio silence every weekend?

godmum56 · 17/11/2024 11:22

bubblesxx · 17/11/2024 10:10

I dont by choice, she's constantly asking for things and I find it hard to say no

oh you just need more practice! ....and yes you do do it by choice.....saying no is a choice, saying yes is a choice.

Thelnebriati · 17/11/2024 11:18

bubblesxx · 17/11/2024 10:10

I dont by choice, she's constantly asking for things and I find it hard to say no

I know it feels like you don't have a choice, but that is literally what 'taking on the role of parent' feels like! I know it also feels impossible to change the way your feel or react. You don't have to drop the rope it all at once but you do need to start making changes, even if they are only small ones.
You are running around after a grown adult who is capable of asking for what she needs, and also of learning to accept a 'no' without having a meltdown. You can help her by showing her what that looks like.

category12 · 17/11/2024 11:18

I don't think it's that unreasonable of her to need some space at the weekends if you see each other every day during the week.

Sounds like you need to focus on building up some friendships outside of your immediate circle.

If you resent helping her out as much as you do, do less.

MyDeftDuck · 17/11/2024 11:12

Put on your big girl pants and learn to say NO!

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