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So down, want to cut myself.

16 replies

WishIWasSomewhereElse · 23/11/2020 14:17

I have bipolar, but haven't self-harmed for years (due to my little one).

Last night I got so upset I scratched myself (not badly), my little one was upset in the bath as I was crying...I'm such a failure.

The issue is Dsis.

Before my Dbro died, I asked my parents for dinner. I'd not seen them Christmas Day for three years as she was single. This year she has a boyfriend, so they agreed it was fair to come to me, and see their only grandchild who is still a child.

My sister kicked off (enabled by her boyfriend who told her that it's her parents , so she is entitled to have them for Christmas).

I tried to make peace, suggested that I have them early (or take dinner round, as dad is terminally ill, and at times bedbound). Then she could pop over after lunch. I told her that as my only surviving sibling I didn't want any falling out, and understood she wanted to see them too, so I had them for dinner (or take it round), then she could see them after. All agreed.

On Saturday I saw them and dad mentioned Christmas. Mum and dad's best friend, who was there, reiterated the plans, all fine. Dad sometimes has severe diarrhoea (to the point that he can't get off the loo and becomes dehydrated, so the plans are flexible).

Yesterday my (adult) son told me that Dsis had been on the phone and upset dad over it.

I phoned up and dad said one of us needs to compromise and have Boxing Day...fine I said, but we'd already arranged dinner, then Dsis coming over, so maybe she could do Boxing Day dinner as well as seeing them Christmas Day. Dad said he was fed up it the arguments were making him ill. I put the phone down, and scratched myself. I don't know why. I wasn't causing an argument. It was arranged. I didn't understand why they were entertaining her, and I felt shit that I was in the wrong. My husband spoke to my mum, and it was agreed that what was arranged would stand... Dad said I should speak to my sister, but she refuses to speak to me.

Today I went to see what medicines dad needs. Dad was crying. Dsis had phoned and told him that he won't see her (adult) DS as he may be working Boxing Day, so they either cancel me, or don't see him. She claimed that she hadn't seen them for Christmas for years (how the fuck they didn't pull her up on that I don't know - we had my stepson last year, my own son couldn't come, and my DD was upset that nanny & grandad couldn't come as they were at her's all day)!

She also said that her boyfriend may have a job and may work Boxing Day (he's been living with her, doesn't have a job, lives off her tax credits she claims as a single person, and they both get money from my parents to help out).

My DH may be working Boxing Day - he works shifts, and we never know till the week before what his shifts will be (definitely not Christmas Day), and he actually has a job, Dsis's boyfriend is just looking for work).

I can't drive (and can't learn due to MH medication plus I need an ankle replacement, so even walking is difficult).

I don't want to upset dad, but hate coming last. My brother used to fight my corner, tell dad when he was biased towards Dsis .

Dsis has told dad that I can take over taking him to appointments (she knows I can't drive), unless they cancel me in favour of her.

I don't want to cause an argument, I haven't spoken to Dsis (apart from trying to help her with the grant for self-employed people), but she is blackmailing and making dad upset.

I know the compromise would be me agreeing to Boxing Day (which mum DOESN'T want, she wants to come to me), as it would make Dsis happy and she would be nice to dad. But I don't want to. It may be his last Christmas - DD hasn't seen him many times on Christmas (and she wet the bed due to having a nightmare about him dying). My nephew may not want to go anyway as he now has a girlfriend.

Dsis cut me out when Dbro died, informing the hospital that she was his first contact (intiated by her BF who said he was her brother so she had the right).

I just feel so left out.

I understand how petty this is. But I cannot help not crying about this. I knew Dsis would expect Christmas with them, which is why I asked first, and dad said he wants to come, but isn't happy with Dsis being unhappy.

Christmas all together is impossible. My parents place is too small (mainly due to mum's hoarding), Dsis wouldn't come to me as her BF doesn't like me due to a car issue, and I also heard him being rude about my size when Dsis was offering to lend me clothes for Dbro's funeral (I didn't need them, but that's what she thinks of me, not even able to dress appropriately).

OP posts:
Lilliarna · 23/11/2020 14:22

Can you all go to your sisters?

WishIWasSomewhereElse · 23/11/2020 14:25

No, she lives a lot further away and doesn't have much room. I also don't want to be with her boyfriend as he was so rude about me, and won't let her talk to me (she has to go out to phone me as he gets angry).

OP posts:
pastandpresent · 23/11/2020 14:44

I get you it's annoying and frustrating that one sibling get their own way and not you, but if it's causing my parents a heartache, I would back down and try to amend the arrangement. It's easier to change yourself than try to change others.
After all, Christmas is a happy time, not time for dispute.
Take care of yourself, and hope you can find the solution that it makes everyone involved happy.

ExclamationPerfume · 23/11/2020 15:06

This is not the time to take a stand. It is making your Dad ill.

WishIWasSomewhereElse · 23/11/2020 15:10

I''m not making a stand though! Dad wants to come to me, so does mum, it's my sister who is causing aggro. So they can go to her and won't see me.

OP posts:
WishIWasSomewhereElse · 23/11/2020 15:12

She's financially abusing them too - getting them to pay her mortgage, wanting them to buy her a new fridge freezer a week after they got her a new washing machine. I've tried to tell her to claim UC but her boyfriend doesn't want to, so they're happy to sponge off mum and dad.

OP posts:
Bluesheep8 · 23/11/2020 15:12

On Saturday I saw them and dad mentioned Christmas. Mum and dad's best friend, who was there, reiterated the plans, all fine.

Sorry but are you in England? You were there and their best friend was also there?
Also, your sister should surely be putting your Dad first. I would point this out to her.

Blownaway22 · 23/11/2020 15:16

Are you the poster whose sister’s boyfriend took your brothers car when he died - on some pretext - and you were having difficulty getting it back? Maybe I’m mixing you up with someone else?

Either way, your sister and her bf sound like a lovely pair - not. I can’t advise you what to do but am so sorry they have such a hold over your parents and are causing you such pain Flowers

WishIWasSomewhereElse · 23/11/2020 15:17

I have tried to point it out to her, that's why I compromised on the whole day. Originally it was going to be all day, then when she kicked off I said we'll have dinner with them and only be a couple of hours, so she could get time too. She seemed happy with that. But then went behind my back to upset dad. She's told them that she won't help them out if they don't cancel me (and her idea would be that they have them all day so I wouldn't see them at all).

OP posts:
WishIWasSomewhereElse · 23/11/2020 15:18

@Blownaway22 Yes.

OP posts:
Blownaway22 · 23/11/2020 15:18

Just thinking ... could your parents come to you on Christmas Eve for an early dinner and to be there when the kids go to bed so they can share in the excitement, then Christmas Day with your sister and back to you on Boxing Day ... maybe save a few presents under the tree?

Bluesheep8 · 23/11/2020 15:22

But then went behind my back to upset dad. She's told them that she won't help them out if they don't cancel me (and her idea would be that they have them all day so I wouldn't see them at all).

Surely this is just going to upset your poor father. She needs to forget her own wishes and put.him.FIRST.

Hayeahnobut · 23/11/2020 15:22

If it's causing your dad such distress, I'd back down and see them on boxing day. If it is his last Christmas then that impacts you both equally, so that's not a reason for him to come to yours.

This isn't about what your sister has or has not done, it's not about what your child wants. It's about what is best for your dad. Be the bigger person and resolve the argument.

onedayiwillmissthis · 23/11/2020 15:25

Your poor Dad.

A "Christmas Day" can be held on any day! And more than one can be held.

You and your sister need to grow the fuck up, stop thinking of your selves and try and give your Dad some pleasant family times.

Bluesheep8 · 23/11/2020 15:34

Do you really want your last memories of your Dad to be tainted by fighting with your sister? What does your Dad want? That is all that matters.

WishIWasSomewhereElse · 23/11/2020 17:45

@Hayeahnobut If you read my OP you'd see that I cannot drive, there is no public transport, and a real possibility my husband will be working

As dad can't drive it wouldn't be possible. My husband working is a real possibility, unlike the likelihood that Dsis's boyfriend will suddenly get a job. Dsis can drive, so it doesn't limit her.

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