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AIBU?

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AIBU to not cut out ex-BIL after separation from sister ?

118 replies

verityeer · 28/12/2024 21:39

My half-sister is from my dad's first marriage, and 18 years older than me. She married her (now STBX) husband at twenty, so I really do not remember a time where she lived with us, nor a time without ex-BIL in my life. We weren't close when I was young — mostly she popped in for Christmas/dad's birthday twice a year and that was that. But as adults, we became closer. I am closer to ex-BIL though, as I find sister to be hard work at times, whereas ex-BIL is very easy-going and has a lot of the same hobbies as me and my DH. Things like winter mountaineering, white water rafting, etc. Sister is always invited to such excursions, but doesn't like outdoor activities. They both regularly have dinner with my family and take my DCs out to cinema trips and so on.

They are now separating. Sister alleges financial abuse at the hands of ex-BIL, ex-BIL alleges financial abuse at the hands of Sister. Ex-BIL is just thrilled to remain in contact with me and my family, Sister is constantly running down ex-BIL to my kids. Things I think are inappropriate to tell DCs about their uncle, such as telling 13 year old DD about dead bedrooms!

Sister has now just found out we are still in contact with ex-BIL and his hit the roof. I think she's out of her gourd to expect me and my family to cut someone out I've known since literal birth on just her word. She thinks I'm being a terrible sister and bad feminist.

Not to be horrible, but she is prone to exaggerating and ex-BIL is not. I am more inclined to believe his account than hers.

AIBU ? Would you side with your blood relative ?

OP posts:
verityeer · 28/12/2024 23:20

5foot5 · 28/12/2024 23:14

Actually if you read the OP carefully you will see that her sister married BIL when OP was only two years old so she very much has grown up with him in her life just as much as her sister.

It is impossible for randoms on the Internet to know the ins and outs of the situation but I feel your very heated responses are based more on your own experience and may not apply to OP.

I am close to both my sisters and cannot ever imagine taking anyone else's side over them. Then again, I know both my sisters to be decent reasonable people whose word I can trust. Clearly OP has doubts about her sisters role in this. Is it really always right to take the side of someone you believe may be in the wrong just because you are related?

If it was my other half-sister (twenty-one years older), I wouldn't hesitate to take her side, as it were. But in this situation, I'm much more hesistant to cut off someone I've grown up with, who I think is possibly more likely the abused party based on previous behaviours, and who has no other family. It's not clear cut either way from my POV.

OP posts:
Snoopdoggydog123 · 28/12/2024 23:16

Purplevelvetshoes · 28/12/2024 23:07

It’s controlling. And really fucking creepy. What he should be doing is allowing his wife to have the security of support of her family in peace. And then maybe reach out when it’s all died down if he was genuinely a nice guy.

But right now he is going to her sister? And her sister is lapping it up. It’s pathetic and reeks of sibling rivalry

The OP is his support system.
Close friend and considered family.

verityeer · 28/12/2024 23:16

caringcarer · 28/12/2024 23:11

When exh and I divorced and he put me through hell during divorce proceedings I felt betrayed by my sister having her photo taken with exh at a wedding we both attended, and chatting in a friendly way despite knowing what he had very recently put me through. I said nothing to her but she hurt me because she knew he had cheated in the first place then tried to bankrupt me by refusing to agree a 50/50 financial split. Instead making me take him to court and even just not turning up in court when he was supposed to and not paying child maintenance until they ordered his employer to take money from his salary. After the wedding she didn't see him again and I put it behind us and moved forward. You are risking losing having a relationship with your sister.

Very sorry to hear of your experience, thanks for sharing your perspective.

OP posts:
5foot5 · 28/12/2024 23:14

Purplevelvetshoes · 28/12/2024 23:04

You havnt grown up with him. He is not your brother. He is your sisters husband - soon to be ex. You’re acting like your King Solomon.

If your upset it’s because you’ve been called out of your sister for stabbing her in the back

Actually if you read the OP carefully you will see that her sister married BIL when OP was only two years old so she very much has grown up with him in her life just as much as her sister.

It is impossible for randoms on the Internet to know the ins and outs of the situation but I feel your very heated responses are based more on your own experience and may not apply to OP.

I am close to both my sisters and cannot ever imagine taking anyone else's side over them. Then again, I know both my sisters to be decent reasonable people whose word I can trust. Clearly OP has doubts about her sisters role in this. Is it really always right to take the side of someone you believe may be in the wrong just because you are related?

verityeer · 28/12/2024 23:12

Purplevelvetshoes · 28/12/2024 23:04

You havnt grown up with him. He is not your brother. He is your sisters husband - soon to be ex. You’re acting like your King Solomon.

If your upset it’s because you’ve been called out of your sister for stabbing her in the back

They were together since before I was born until I was forty odd. I've grown up with him as extended family, in the same way I've grown up with sister has extended family. Don't understand your Solomon reference sorry.

OP posts:
caringcarer · 28/12/2024 23:11

When exh and I divorced and he put me through hell during divorce proceedings I felt betrayed by my sister having her photo taken with exh at a wedding we both attended, and chatting in a friendly way despite knowing what he had very recently put me through. I said nothing to her but she hurt me because she knew he had cheated in the first place then tried to bankrupt me by refusing to agree a 50/50 financial split. Instead making me take him to court and even just not turning up in court when he was supposed to and not paying child maintenance until they ordered his employer to take money from his salary. After the wedding she didn't see him again and I put it behind us and moved forward. You are risking losing having a relationship with your sister.

verityeer · 28/12/2024 23:09

WellsAndThistles · 28/12/2024 22:45

It's up to you but you can't have your cake and eat it. Ultimately pick one as the other will go no contact with you.

Also, who is tittle tattling to DSis that you are still friends with BIL? They are someone to keep your cards close to your chest with to avoid any further shit stirring.

DS mentioned we'd seen him briefly over Christmas when we saw her this evening.

OP posts:
WhatTheFudges · 28/12/2024 23:08

You will be a fool to choose him over your sister but obviously you need to learn this the hard way. Once he has a new girlfriend you will be dropped like a hot potato.

Purplevelvetshoes · 28/12/2024 23:07

KilkennyCats · 28/12/2024 23:04

If that’s why he wants to remain friends, certainly.

Who says it is?

It’s controlling. And really fucking creepy. What he should be doing is allowing his wife to have the security of support of her family in peace. And then maybe reach out when it’s all died down if he was genuinely a nice guy.

But right now he is going to her sister? And her sister is lapping it up. It’s pathetic and reeks of sibling rivalry

MyPithyPoster · 28/12/2024 23:04

This is one of the scenarios where you really do need to pick a team. I found out that my brother was sending online request requests to play chess with my ex-husband.. my ex-husband was declining them and my brother was persisting.
This is not only gave my ex-husband the opportunity to take the piss and smirk at my family’s lack of loyalty but it was incredibly hurtful to me.

Purplevelvetshoes · 28/12/2024 23:04

verityeer · 28/12/2024 23:00

Not sure at all what has prompted this response. I'm upset because two people I've grown up with as siblings both allege abuse against each other.

You havnt grown up with him. He is not your brother. He is your sisters husband - soon to be ex. You’re acting like your King Solomon.

If your upset it’s because you’ve been called out of your sister for stabbing her in the back

KilkennyCats · 28/12/2024 23:04

Purplevelvetshoes · 28/12/2024 23:01

Because he won’t feel the need to wind his ex wife up anymore?

If that’s why he wants to remain friends, certainly.

Who says it is?

verityeer · 28/12/2024 23:03

blackrabbitwhiterabbit · 28/12/2024 22:52

What's a dead bedroom?

She was telling my 13 year old DD how they'd not had s*x for x amount of time. And other information about sexual habits. I obviously ended this conversation immediately once I walked in.

OP posts:
Purplevelvetshoes · 28/12/2024 23:01

KilkennyCats · 28/12/2024 23:00

Why would he drop op and her dh when he finds another partner?

Because he won’t feel the need to wind his ex wife up anymore?

verityeer · 28/12/2024 23:00

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Not sure at all what has prompted this response. I'm upset because two people I've grown up with as siblings both allege abuse against each other.

OP posts:
KilkennyCats · 28/12/2024 23:00

Beanie567 · 28/12/2024 22:32

Choose him over your sister and you’ve lost your sister. Then, when he moves on with someone else, you’ll lose him.

Why would he drop op and her dh when he finds another partner?

Showerflowers · 28/12/2024 22:57

In my family we stuck together. If anyone hurt my sister then they'd be cut off. I'd be civil if we had to see them but apart from that I'd have nothing to do with them.

Your ex bil will move on and probably decide to lose contact with you in the future anyway. But your sister is family!.

My own sisters knew my exh from their young teens. They saw him as a brother. But when my marriage ended they stood by me. I'll always love them for that support.

verityeer · 28/12/2024 22:56

BlueSilverCats · 28/12/2024 22:47

I think it's not as clear cut here as you and your sister are not close and you don't like her much. Has she/would she show you a similar type of loyalty?

So let's reframe this. Imagine a rift between a really good friend of yours ( same possible issues of the friendship fading away) and your sister. Maybe the friend ran over her cat, or whatever big "sin". Would you be as conflicted? Who would you pick?

It's difficult. If it was a clear-cut right-wrong issue, I'd happily side with whoever I thought was the wrong party. In this instance, I'm not sure who has been wronged. I don't think my sister would take my side in a similar situation.

OP posts:
StarDolphins · 28/12/2024 22:56

Purplevelvetshoes · 28/12/2024 22:45

Would you?

Have you ever separated from a man who was abusive but he had embedded himself so deeply in your families life they feel that they can’t choose their own daughter or the man she married? How isolating for her that might feel? How awful it must be if he is randomly at family events in r peoples homes when she visits?

This in its self is abuse

I’m getting from op that it’s questionable as to who is abusive. She’s formed a relationship with her bil, I wouldn’t like to be told that because a family member has severed ties, I had to.

blackrabbitwhiterabbit · 28/12/2024 22:52

What's a dead bedroom?

Beanie567 · 28/12/2024 22:52

No, you have a sister and an ex brother in law. And you want to choose the ex brother in law. So do so. Your sister will cut you off. And later, he will move on from you too.

And you’ll be viewed with suspicion within your own family because for you, water is thicker than blood.

littleluncheon · 28/12/2024 22:51

I'd pick my sister over her ex.

The ex is happy to have you around now but once he gets remarried his new wife isn't going to want him hanging around with the ex wife's family! So you'll have burned your bridges with your own family for nothing.

verityeer · 28/12/2024 22:50

Purplevelvetshoes · 28/12/2024 22:45

Would you?

Have you ever separated from a man who was abusive but he had embedded himself so deeply in your families life they feel that they can’t choose their own daughter or the man she married? How isolating for her that might feel? How awful it must be if he is randomly at family events in r peoples homes when she visits?

This in its self is abuse

A lot to think about, thank you.

OP posts:
verityeer · 28/12/2024 22:48

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

I'm very sorry to hear about your ex, but I think you are reading things into my post because of this. I'm not at all happy to be in the middle of this. I feel like I'm stuck between a brother and sister.

OP posts:
BlueSilverCats · 28/12/2024 22:47

I think it's not as clear cut here as you and your sister are not close and you don't like her much. Has she/would she show you a similar type of loyalty?

So let's reframe this. Imagine a rift between a really good friend of yours ( same possible issues of the friendship fading away) and your sister. Maybe the friend ran over her cat, or whatever big "sin". Would you be as conflicted? Who would you pick?