Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

How would you make peace with this?

4 replies

roonil0 · 28/04/2023 20:22

TL;DR best way to come to terms with someone’s toxic behaviour?

I’m grieving the relationship I (don’t) have with my sister, and subsequently her family and our DNs. Every interaction is DARVO and it was both relieving and horrifying to do my own research, speak to someone and see it’s pretty much textbook narcissism. She was an only child for nearly 9 years and enjoyed almost playing the third parent from the day I was born but became very unhappy as soon as I no longer wanted to copy everything she did/got my own identity. It’s subtle, passive-aggressive and all quite twisted. Our parents have started to see the wrong in it but have never spoken to her about it and have confessed theirs worries she would play the victim and stop them from seeing their DGC. I totally get this and don’t feel the need to involve them, but they express they are upset by the dynamic and often encourage me to be the bigger person. I’m sick of being that tbh because life is too short and I have tried so many different things but there is truly no reasoning and I am only exhausting myself, she moves the goalposts each time and pulls out every guilt trip/diminishing tactic in the book.

Me and DH are hoping to start our own family soon. We don’t really have any immediate family nearby, DH’s relatives live a couple hours away and DBro lives overseas (lucky him) it’s sad to think our plans of extended family holidays and trips that we always imagined likely won’t comfortably happen

I have accepted her for who she is but not sure how to make peace with the loss of the future happy memories I thought we’d make? If that even makes sense! Anyone else gone through this even if it’s with a different relative?

OP posts:
roonil0 · 28/04/2023 20:41

I think I slightly resent anyone showing her excessive generosity and kindness. My parents bend over backwards to help her and do all they can. I never want them to pick sides but sometimes it feels as if they already choose hers automatically, by never challenging the bullying

OP posts:
Eyesopenwideawake · 28/04/2023 20:44

What was the trauma in her childhood which led to the narcissistic behaviour later in life?

roonil0 · 28/04/2023 20:50

Eyesopenwideawake · 28/04/2023 20:44

What was the trauma in her childhood which led to the narcissistic behaviour later in life?

I have no idea. There was none that I am aware of, I’m sure we had a similar upbringing and we are really different characters (I definitely have my flaws but I have been told I am a people pleaser and under confident) whereas she outwardly seems extremely confident to the point it’s bolshy.
Huge age gap, possibly she was very indulged in that time? She is generally quite insecure but is very aloof about this and likes to boast / portray an image she is better than others.

OP posts:
Eyesopenwideawake · 28/04/2023 21:04

It doesn't seem as though you like her very much; that happens more than you think in many families (my adoptive brother and I haven't spoken for over 20 years). Rather than mourn things that haven't yet come to pass why not concentrate on your new family with your husband?

New posts on this thread. Refresh page