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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to avoid advising my sister about her marriage

2 replies

NiceHampton · 24/01/2013 21:49

This is really long (sorry) but I don't want to drip feed information later, so bear with me...

My sister phoned me at the weekend, and I stayed up all night listening to her talk about her marriage. She's been married for fifteen years and has a lot of problems with her mental and physical health. She suffered from depression before she met her husband and has since had problems with her weight, to the point where she has developed some very serious complications. As a result of her depression, she also has problems with personal hygiene which has led to other health problems.

She has tried to get disability benefits but has not been successful, and has never really worked. She sees a therapist and takes her medication, and her worst lows are mostly controlled, but she does not feel that she would be up to working. This has been the case for about five years now.

She said that she and her husband have had a conversation about their marriage. He said he loves her (I really believe him - they are like two peas in a pod) but doesn't think he can stay married to her. He said that he doesn't think she is doing enough to manage her health: things like sleeping to a regular schedule, eating to try and manage her weight, and showering and brushing teeth.

I am at such a loss and don't know what to advise her. I love both of them and do get frustrated with her that she seems be her own worst enemy, but on the other hand I am really angry with him for apparently giving her this ultimatum. On top of this, there is no way she could survive on her own; she is completely dependent on him for money.

I feel really uncomfortable getting involved in their marriage and have suggested they go to therapy together. I don't know how to support her or what to do. If they did get divorced, she would have to come and live with my family, and I don't know if I could cope with her. AIBU to avoid offering advice to her and hope they sort it out? I think this is the hardest thing I've ever had to deal with.

TL;DR Depressed sister's husband has talked about divorcing due to her lack of self-care. AIBU to stay out of this, even though my sister is very vulnerable?

P.S. I did also ask my sister if she minded me posting anonymously about her and she is okay with it.

OP posts:
DontmindifIdo · 24/01/2013 21:57

nice - your sister's choices aren't between being kept by her husband or being kept by her sister. They really aren't. She is an adult, if he leaves her, she could cope on her own. infact, being forced to might be good for her. She will be entitled to benefits same as any single unemployed adult, they don't all have to be looked after by other family.

Yes she's got some mental health problems, but not so bad as she's incapable of taking care of herself, she is chosing not to by the sounds of it. It sounds like her DH is aware it is in her control to sort herself out and is saying he's not prepared to live like this, so she has a choice, she can decide being able to live like this is more important or her marriage is.

I agree suggesting therepy together is the best you can do. Really there's nothing else you can do until she has made a decision about what she wants to do, and if it's nothing, then you still have to wait until he has made a decision about what sort of life he wants. If he does leave, you can help her with that, but until that happens, there's nothing for you to do. (Do not take her in though)

NiceHampton · 24/01/2013 22:06

Thank you Dontmind. I just can't tell how much of this is her not wanting to and not being able to. Like she has had really serious health problems as a result of her weight and not brushing her teeth. Surely if she could change then she would? I don't know :(

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