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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to resent my unemployed sister and her “difficult life”?

231 replies

Protege · 10/04/2025 10:36

My BIL has a very successful career, so my DSis gave up work 10 years ago before having DC. From the outside, they have a dream life…huge house in a desirable area, multiple luxury holidays a year, two lovely DC at a top private school, and lots of help (cleaners, ironing services, etc.). Both DC are in school, so DSis has most of the day to herself.

Despite this, she constantly complains about how exhausting and stressful her life is - how she’s always “running around like a headless chicken” with no time for anything. She expects sympathy, and never expresses any gratitude for her situation. I’ve never had a clear answer about what she does all day, though she recently let slip she goes to a health spa most days for classes and sauna.

Meanwhile, DH and I both work full-time in demanding and stressful jobs. We earn well, but we’re tied to a big mortgage and can’t afford to drop an income (which I’d love to be able to do, even temporarily). Life feels like a constant stress and struggle.

I know our situation isn’t unique, but it really stings when DSis complains to me and seems to genuinely believe that her life is harder than mine. There does seem to be a theme where, certain people stop working, and their tolerance for stress drops and suddenly the smallest things seem overwhelming?! That seems to be the case with her. AIBU to feel so resentful?

OP posts:
Seeline · 10/04/2025 10:40

Do you have DCs OP - you just refer to you and DH.

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 10/04/2025 10:39

Everyone's stress is relative. I'm sure she feels stressed and tired out by her life, and she can't really appreciate how much harder other people's lives are. But she is allowed to feel how she feels (even if it does mean you gritting your teeth and thinking that she doesn't know she's born).

I remember being EXTREMELY poor and a guy complaining to me that because of pensions crashing and investments being lost, he was down to his last million. Sounded ridiculous to me, but it was dreadful for him.

itsgettingweird · 10/04/2025 10:39

Just respond with something like “yes - holding down a full time job while being a parents stressful isn’t it?”

See what she says!

Coali · 10/04/2025 10:39

Try to stop thinking of it as a competition and don’t engage with her about it. People have different stress tolerances. Just nod politely and change the subject.

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 10/04/2025 10:39

Obviously, she is being ridiculous to complain about how hard her life is.

But I wonder if she is actually feeling really bored and lacking in any purpose? That could be exhausting in itself?

littleteapot86 · 10/04/2025 10:38

This would do my head in. YANBU. I agree about people who don't work having lower stress tolerance.