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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To cut disabled sister off?

94 replies

Cindy92 · 15/08/2025 10:23

My sister has physical disabilities, she was born this way. However, mentally she is fine, she graduated from university, owns a property and manages rental income etc.
When I visit my mum, my sister is often aggressive, argumentative, abusive, and controlling for no real reason. My mum has raised her with a victim complex believing that because she is disabled, she is always right and others are wrong and that people are there to do her wrong. Most times I visit, she starts arguments, swears, spits at me, hits me, and says hurtful things like, “No wonder your husband divorced you,” or “You’re ugly and fat,” She also tells my young DS off, ignores him etc. as a result he doesn’t really like her.
Yesterday, I visited my mum, as DS has been staying there a couple of nights a week during the holidays while I work. I casually mentioned something I saw on Instagram (I asked her is she had posted a picture twice as I'd seen it a couple of hours ago and then at that particular time), and she tried to start an argument over it. I repeatedly told her I wasn’t engaging and to leave me alone. She then came over and scratched my arm hard because I didn't want to argue over something so trivial. She dug her nails into my arm. I left the room, but she followed, still trying to argue. I told her to go away, and she fell to the floor crying hysterically. My mum comforted her, making me the “villain” and her the “victim” because of her disability again.
Moments later, she came back, looked at DS, and said, “I hope you and your mum become disabled,” before grabbing a sandwich to throw at me. She then came to hit me again. I pushed her onto the sofa so she wouldn’t fall on the floor, but she got up and tried to throw my car keys at me. When I was about to leave, she hit my face, so I pushed her away. She started kicking me. I took DS and left.
She has had similar incidents with my older sister, cousin, mum. She is also controlling with her carers about 3 have stopped working with her in the last year alone. She has never been physically or verbally aggressive with them, which tells me she knows what she is doing. She sighs and shows her annoyance at them. Over the years, I've encouraged her to get therapy, but she has refused.
I have decided to cut contact with her and massively reduce my visits to my mum’s house, as I don’t want DS exposed to this toxic environment anymore. I feel very unhappy after each visit. I can't do it anymore.
This is one incident of many.

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BagpussWasRight · 20/12/2025 21:42

I would (1) report the assault to the police and (2) request they do a welfare check on your mum because you are frightened your sister will assault you again if you go to the house to check your mum is unharmed then (3) raise a safeguarding alert for your mum with Adult Social Care.
This way there is an interlinked record of both the abusive behaviour and concerns for you and your mum.
Even if adult safeguarding doesn't progress the referral, you have created an audit trail, which is a necessary step, as your sister sounds the type to claim disability hate crime, make false allegations etc.
Do not visit the house again, if you do, you risk leaving yourself wide open to lies and false allegations.

utterlytraumatised · 20/12/2025 21:14

Disabled or not, you put yourself first hands on me and you’re on the floor.

Op I am so sorry you have had to live like this. Cut her off and don’t allow your DS anywhere near her.

PennyLaneisinmyheartandmysoul · 20/12/2025 21:00

Just realised is zombie thread, but @Cindy92 hope you and your son are long away from your sister and your mum.
I struggle to feel sorry for your mum as she’s created and supports this monster of a sister.

MrsAnon6 · 20/12/2025 20:52

Cindy92 · 15/08/2025 12:45

Thanks, everyone. I have considered reporting her to the police, but this would have a huge impact on my mum. My sister is very vindictive and would twist the situation to make herself look vulnerable. My mum would likely side with her and be too afraid of the consequences. I think my best option is to stop seeing her altogether. I’ve already blocked her on all social media platforms and blocked her number too.

I’m just sad for my mum, having to see us divided, and for DS, who hasn’t been surrounded by supportive, positive family members.

It’s kind that you care about how this affects your mum but she is also to blame for encouraging this behaviour and not sticking up for and protecting you. You and your siblings deserved her love and care as much as your disabled sister but she has failed in this.

LoyalShaker · 20/12/2025 19:33

This sounds so stressful and abusive. Your son should not be witnessing this. Can you arrange to see your mum in a different venue or see her when you know your sister isn't around?

StrongasSixpence · 16/08/2025 11:11

Absolutely NBU to cut off your sister. If your mum agrees, it may be worth keeping a separate relationship with her outside the house. Depending on how old she is, this could turn into a dangerous elderly abuse situation once your mum becomes too frail to defend herself.

TryingAgainAgainAgain · 15/08/2025 18:52

If you put your focus firmly on your son's wellbeing, then you wouldn't have any involvement with your sister or mother. So that should clarify the situation for you.

Robin67 · 15/08/2025 17:25

I do feel sorry for your mum because she is now very entrenched in this matter and what might have started off with good maternal intention is now both harmful and toxic for all concerned. But ultimately she is wrong to indulge this BS

Your sister sounds vile. No need for someone like that in your life. Escape now while you can. Otherwise, when your mum gets too old, or dies, she will be your problem. It may be harder to walk away then, so do it now. You don't owe either of them an apology or an explanation

allthemiddlechildrenoftheworld · 15/08/2025 17:19

@Cindy92 your mum has enabled her to be like this!!! you need to speak to your mother without your sister being there!

Velmy · 15/08/2025 15:34

However, mentally she is fine

No, she isn't.

HannahJ93 · 15/08/2025 15:20

She sounds very abusive OP, that must be so difficult. I think you should absolutely cut contact with her. Her being disabled is irrelevant it sounds like she's just a very nasty person which has nothing to do with disability. You don't deserve to be treated that way.

VaseofViolets · 15/08/2025 15:01

I’d run so fast she wouldn’t see my arse for dust! Or your mother, come to that. She’s just as bad for constantly excusing this terrible behaviour. They’d both be dead to me. No one has to put up with being treated like that.

Feel no guilt whatsoever in cutting these abusive people out of your life OP. Breathe the free air. Live a happy life. Protect your child from them at all costs - he must not be exposed to treatment like this.

Balloonhearts · 15/08/2025 14:45

I think you did rather well not to punch her. I would have, and I certainly wouldn't be seeing her again.

Poppins21 · 15/08/2025 14:39

LlamaNoDrama · 15/08/2025 10:30

Bloody hell op she sounds utterly unhinged. You should report her for assault and cut her off.

This. I would report these attacks

Cranberryavocado · 15/08/2025 14:38

My DF has a younger brother who has a serious mental illness and acted in a similar way, he cut him off years ago. He tried for years to maintain a relationship and help him, now hasnt spoken to him for about 20 years. I think there comes a time when you just have enough.

OneNeatBlueOrca · 15/08/2025 14:33

GAJLY · 15/08/2025 14:25

I'd a tally report her for assault. She. Ant always get away with things just because she's disabled. You're supposed to treat them equally, just like an able bodied person. What would you do if an able bodied person did that to you?

You don't really understand how manipulative these people are. What if she turns round and says the op hit her first and she was defending herself.

The mother would probably side with the disabled daughter.Believe me, i've been there myself in terms of sibling abuse. Mum will always side with her favourite. The one she considers vulnerable, whether that's true or not.

It's not worth it.She should just walk away

GAJLY · 15/08/2025 14:25

I'd a tally report her for assault. She. Ant always get away with things just because she's disabled. You're supposed to treat them equally, just like an able bodied person. What would you do if an able bodied person did that to you?

OriginalUsername2 · 15/08/2025 14:24

Not unreasonable at all. I decided once and for all at about age 30 that I refuse to be around violent people, related or not. My nervous system can’t handle it and I don’t want it anywhere near me or my immediate family.

Campingisnexttogodliness · 15/08/2025 14:21

My aunt was similar op when she became wheelchair bound. Blamed the world. And me for not visiting at her beck and call. I lived 90 mins away, had many dc and didn't drive!
She left her vast estate to her paid carer. I was slightly miffed but reckoned the poor woman had bloody earned it!!
She dumped me when I declined to host Christmas at her home.

Holdingthesky · 15/08/2025 14:20

How dare she treat you like that in front of your son too.Yes you should have no more to do with her.What about your mother?She seems to condone her terrible behaviour.
Would you cut her off too?
They are treating you apallingly you will probably feel much better if you don't have to have contact with her.

cosietea · 15/08/2025 14:15

I wouldn’t feel too sorry for your mum. She’s created this environment from the start, at the expense of her other children and to the detriment of your sister. Absolutely awful parenting and I’m so sorry you have lived this.

There is going to be lot to unpick emotionally and I suggest you look after your own interests now. Get some solid therapy to work through your childhood and unlearn the emotional blackmail that’s been ingrained.

You will find this hard but you should remove yourself from both of them for a while at least. No contact, explain to your mum what you are doing and why and stay strong.

You have your own family to protect now. I know childcare is bloody difficult but there will be ways round this ( childminder or arrangements with work)

All the best

Ponderingwindow · 15/08/2025 14:14

she physically assaulted you. You would be completely justified to end contact.

If she lives with your mother, you absolutely must stop letting your son visit your mother’s home. You need to visit your mother somewhere else.

you also need to ask yourself if you trust your mother to watch your son outside of the house and to actually not see aunt during that time. If not, you shouldn’t leave son with your mother anymore.

the only time I could leave my dd with my mother is if my father was a plane ride away. Sometimes we have to make hard choices.

Frogs88 · 15/08/2025 14:03

If she lives with your mum then I’d stop visiting completely and meet your mum somewhere else. Surely your mother must understand that that is not acceptable behaviour? I’d also be phoning the police after that incident. Disabled or not she can’t keep expecting to get away with behaviour like that.

OneNeatBlueOrca · 15/08/2025 13:52

Cindy92 · 15/08/2025 12:45

Thanks, everyone. I have considered reporting her to the police, but this would have a huge impact on my mum. My sister is very vindictive and would twist the situation to make herself look vulnerable. My mum would likely side with her and be too afraid of the consequences. I think my best option is to stop seeing her altogether. I’ve already blocked her on all social media platforms and blocked her number too.

I’m just sad for my mum, having to see us divided, and for DS, who hasn’t been surrounded by supportive, positive family members.

It's a horrible thing to say, but I had a bad relationship with my sister too.Although she wasn't disabled she clearly had mental health issues that have never been diagnosed. I think some kind of personality disorder.

She was vindictive and spiteful and nasty to meet all my life.But she always victimized herself. If I'd reported her to the police for harrassment or anything she would have twisted it around on me. So I had to keep going with this because there's nothing I could do about it.So I do understand why you wouldn't want to report her.

I've only become truly free of my sister since our mother died. My mother used to guilt trip me into seeing her and her children. But it always got me sucked back into my sister's twisted world.

Now that my mother is dead, although I miss her very much. There is nobody alive now. Who can make me be in contact with my sister. I've blocked her everywhere and I will never speak to her again.

You're just going to have to do the same with your sister. And just ignore your mother's wishes for you to see each other.

Whatshesaid96 · 15/08/2025 13:43

Honestly I know you say reporting her to the police will affect your mum. However this might be the kick she needs to stop pandering to your sister. Also if she is being abused by your sister there is a log already there. She might not be but as your mum gets older and more frail it might be enough to get her out of this emeshed relationship. I know you don't want to blow it all out of the water. However you would be safeguarding your mum. You might not be able to stop what is happening now but when your mum loses the ability to speak out or defend herself then you've done the most loving thing you can do for her.

If you do still want a relationship with your mum then it needs to be put of the home and somewhere that your mum can get the bus to. She has partly caused this situation but if she wants the contact then she will need to put the effort in.

Finally please think about what your son has witnessed. His wonderful mum was spat at and hurt. He was probably actually quite scared and possibly still thinking about it now. Reporting it shows him what a kick ass mother he has who stands up for herself.