My younger brother is 30 yrs old and married, but makes almost no effort with my children (4 & 2), which I'm finding quite hurtful. He and his wife have forgotton my little boy's birthday this week, and still don't seem to have noticed, and make no effort to come and visit despite being only 90 mins away. The sad thing is my son always talks so fondly of him.
By comparison his wife spoils her own sister's children rotten. They get elaborate presents for birthdays and Christmas, where as my brother still expects my mum to buy for my children and gives her the money when he can get round to it. My sister-in-law also had her nephew, who is the same age as my son, as their page boy at their wedding along with her sisters, nieces and friends playing key roles, as if my brother's side of the family didn't exist.
Is it unreasonable to expect more involvement from my brother? Also, is it wrong to think that his wife should maybe have some responsibility towards us too? I've really tried to reach out to them, sending them pictures from the children, etc. I really couldn't care about any of the neglectful stuff towards myself or my husband (of which there's loads), I just feel really sad that my children don't have a loving uncle.