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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To still be angry and not want to talk to sibling

52 replies

FunBagFreddie · 17/10/2012 14:59

Hi, been lurking and this is my first post, so I'm hoping that people will be gentle! Sorry - long.

Basically, my sister really upset me 3 years ago and I'm still fuming about it. She moved abroad with an Polish man, and it didn't work out, so she was back within the year.

She had no job when she came back, we had entered the recession and my mum and dad didn't want to put her up (she has previous form for taking the piss). So, I let her stay at mine on the understanding that she would contribute towards some of the bills. I was a single mum, working a 40 hour week and privately renting at the time.

Anyway, she wouldn't get a job for ages, and was vile to me saying that just because I was working in a shitty job that I hated, that didn't mean that she had to do it.

We also got a small inheritance each. She spent hers within a month, and she borrowed some of mine, which I had decided to save. Never paid me back, never paid towards bills. But, she had met a bloke who ended up being round at my house every night. I kept finding cocaine paraphernalia on my best plate (they were smoking skunk also), and I asked my sister to stop, because my son was in the house. She basically told me to piss off. She ate all the packed lunch food for my son when she had the munchies in the evening, and I'd frequently wake up to find there was nothing left for my son's lunch, so had a mad dash to get shopping, drop my son off at chilminders and get to work. Again, when I pulled her up on this she got very nasty and threatening.

Anyway, I became very ill during this time and I was basically hauling my arse into work and coming home in the evening and crashing out. My parents had to pretty much look after my son for a couple of months until I got better. During this time my house became very messy! I asked my sister if she could stop having her boyfriend over every night so I could have some privacy. She told me that we both knew that there was nothing physically wrong with me and that I had a mental health problem and needed help. Apparently she could tell this by the fact that my house way messy. Anyway, I was very physically ill at the time and struggling to not lose my job and the house I was renting.

Oh yeah, it turned out the money she was borrowing off me and my parents was to buy coke and skunk. She even smoked skunk in the house the night before my boss had to pop over to drop something off. The house stank and I had to rush round sorting it out.

Fast forward to the present, my sister has had a baby and it's like she expects me to be cool about everything. She has never once said sorry, or paid any money back. I'm not worried about the money, but I really don't think I can forgive her, especially for saying I was mentally ill when I was going through a time of serious helath problems. I don't want to be part of her, or her childs life. I know her and my parents are hurt by this. But I can't help the way I feel. AIBU to not want anything to do with her indefinitely?

Thanks if you made it this far!

OP posts:
FunBagFreddie · 17/10/2012 15:42

wannabedomesticgoddess, not much chance of that, I'm still too angry to even bring myself to speak to her. I have sent presents and cards though (even if she didn't bother doing so for my son).

OP posts:
radiohelen · 17/10/2012 20:28

Look, I think you can be a family member without participating in your sister's life. It is good enough to be in the background. It's good enough to acknowledge that her child exists without according her that status. Whatever you feel you can give is good enough in these circumstances. You do not have to be the perfect child/sibling and they do not have the right to ask more of you than you can give. Cut yourself some slack and let them get on with it.

FunBagFreddie · 17/10/2012 20:34

Thanks for the advice. I was bracing myself to get totally flamed over this.

OP posts:
oldraver · 17/10/2012 20:45

So your parents were only willing to help once you got a physical diagnosis ? What if you had of had a mental health issue ? They dont sound all that brilliant themselves

HissyByName · 17/10/2012 20:55

Darling, you'd not get flamed for this, you've been really done over by your family, haven't you?

I would reconsider my relationship with the lot of them.

FunBagFreddie · 17/10/2012 20:57

oldraver - The irony is that one of them has suffered from their fair share of mental health issues themselves I think they have borderline personality disorder.

The thing that hurts me is that now my sister has had to grow up and become responsible, she obviously hasn't considered how much of a shit she was and said sorry. DP thinks I should get in touch because of the baby, but I'm still very hurt and angry about it all.

OP posts:
achillea · 17/10/2012 21:01

She sounds like a nightmare, but having children can change people. Ever the optimist I would make peace but very much keep your distance. You are this child's auntie and you should be there for that child. If you do decide to make peace, tell her exactly how you felt and make it very clear to her that if she feels she doesn't act like an adult from now you will make yourself very scarce.

wannabedomesticgoddess · 17/10/2012 21:04

I disagree.

She shouldnt be there for that child if that childs mother has in the past shown no respect for the OP or the OPs son.

No one should take this from people just because they are family. Blood is not a free ticket to treat someone like shit.

achillea · 17/10/2012 21:07

The nephew is a baby and hasn't done anything.

wannabedomesticgoddess · 17/10/2012 21:11

The OPs son hadnt done anything but was subjected to strange men and drugs.

I dont speak to my brother. I wouldnt be comfortable with my DD having contact with him. He has treated me like shit. Uncle doesnt mean anything if sister doesnt.

FunBagFreddie · 17/10/2012 21:11

With all respects achillea, I can see where you're coming from. But, this baby has another auntie, plus both sets of grandparents. I don't think my absence would leave a gaping hole.

OP posts:
RawShark · 17/10/2012 21:14

If your mum nags you just tell your parents your sister's probably perfectly OK as she is physically fine, not to mention the fact she hasn't asked for help and you wouldn't want to intrude as you know how much she values her privacy.

I was going to write some other things but they were mean (on your behalf) and not constructive best just to do as you have already decide I think and not give in to revenge from hurt feelings

achillea · 17/10/2012 21:18

Don't know anything about the drugs and strange men thing.

Send cards. Keep your head down, see how things pan out.

wannabedomesticgoddess · 17/10/2012 21:20

Its in the OP.

FunBagFreddie · 17/10/2012 21:25

I'm not ruling out the possibility of one day putting this aside, but for now it's not going to happen. Sometimes I think IABU to have been stewing over this for the last three years. On the other hand, I was really upset by the whole thing and I don't feel that guilty about cutting her out of my life. The baby has plenty of other family and I just don't want to see my sister at all, as I have nothing nice to say to her.

As I said before, I feel bad for my parents, but they really pissed me off too.

OP posts:
OovoofWelcome · 17/10/2012 21:28

YANBU. This is probably just a lull in your sisters life where she is seemingly stable. Sooner or later she'll no doubt kick off another self-indulgent, toxic drama.

You're being very wise to follow your instincts and keep your distance.

wannabedomesticgoddess · 17/10/2012 21:29

Have you read the stately homes thread on here? It really helped me stop feeling guilty and doubting myself.

SlightlySuperiorPeasant · 17/10/2012 21:32

YANBU, you were treated appallingly and are now expected to forgive and forget. Fine, forgive and forget her.

FunBagFreddie · 17/10/2012 21:33

To be honest I do think that she's had to grow up, she wasn't exactly young when she had the baby. she was 30, so it was about time. The thing is, she has blown it with me. I'm not some sponge who can endlessly soak up someone's piss taking ways.

OP posts:
FunBagFreddie · 17/10/2012 21:39

wannabedomesticgoddess - Thanks, the title sounds a bit odd, but I'll have a look.

The worst thing about it was that I was vulnerable at the time. I actually felt very ill for a long time before I was diagnosed, and I didn't have the energy to stand up for myself. I thought she was very predatory and I felt threatened and out of control in my own home. I can't forgive or forget that.

OP posts:
wannabedomesticgoddess · 17/10/2012 21:47

Yes its odd. But its about toxic families!

My parents tried to palm my feckless brother off on me! I was a single mum. They knew full well that he would take the piss in my house, wouldnt pay his bills etc! It was the best decision I ever made to firmly say no.

I can only imagine how awful it must have been for you. Losing your privacy and feeling helpless at a time when you needed family support the most. And coping with your illness alone while working and being a mum. And essentially not being believed!

There are just some things that cant be forgotten!

catwomanlikesmeatballs · 17/10/2012 21:52

If she had any remorse for her disgusting behaviour she would have apologised for it, she doesn't care because she hasn't changed, still the same selfish individual regardless of how different her lifestyle may be.

You're very sensible to avoid these toxic people, these types poison everybody with their abusive behaviour. You can't change them, there's no point engaging.

yadnbu.

FunBagFreddie · 17/10/2012 21:57

wannabedomesticgoddess - You know were I'm coming from then! I'm glad you said no, very sensible. I've found that stately homes thread, but it's getting late, so will have a look over the next few days. Thanks. Smile

catwomanlikesmeatballs - Thanks also. It's sometimes difficult to tell who is being unreasonable in these situations.

OP posts:
DevaDiva · 17/10/2012 22:05

Crikey I'd kill my DSis if she did this to me. I would have v minimal contact until I got a full apology, some understanding of how much shit and hurt she has caused you and tbh the money back too, or at least some of it. You sound string enough to deal with this, good luck x

HermioneHatesHoovering · 18/10/2012 07:50

I would be expecting the money back from your sister and an apology, although I'd settle for the money in the first instance! I'm sure, as a single person that you could do with it.

I imagine she will continue to take the piss if she is allowed to get away with it, without any consequences.

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