Or is my aunt?

[PolkaDotBlues]

My aunt is constantly falling out with me because:

• we occasionally don't speak for a while
• I forget to text her back and often get back 1 or 2 days later

It's exhausting. I can't have my phone on me at work (it goes in a locker) and I often come home to 15+ messages which I don't have the time or energy to respond to straight away. I travel a lot for work short notice and am often out of the country. I've just bought a house and have a SD who I help care for.

AIBU to think that once you reach a certain age, it's normal to understand that people have busy lives and can't always respond immediately, are not always free next weekend, and don't always have the money for a girly weekend away?

I text her today with a scan photo as I am 10+ pregnant and she just responded with a one word 'congrats' - which is fine but I know it's because I haven't spoken to her in 3/4 weeks. I'm exhausted by this relationship and have never experienced anything like it in my life...

She's being very immature. I couldn't be arsed with someone like her. Life's too short! Congratulations on your pregnancy.

Thanks @seven201 - that's exactly how I feel. It's so hard cutting ties with someone you love. It must be so exhausting to be so needy!!

Are you her only relative ? Does she have no sisters/brothers or children of her own?

TBH I think I would have just given up by now. Why is she texting you 15 times a day, does any one else get this intensity of attention?

I think you need to lay down a specific time that you will catch up with her. One that suits you.

Any other relatives on her side of the family? Are they also subject to this nonsense?

Obviously your aunt is.

Try this: www.dhyanna.net/how-to-use-medium-chill-to-improve-your-life-today/

@NewYearNewMe18 sorry the 15 texts aren't all from her, but I just don't have time to respond to everyone every night. Lots are work related messages.

@scrabbler3 she has loads of family and they all have the same issue but not to the same extent!

Just needed reassurance that it wasn't me. I know it's annoying when people are flakey. I genuinely am just so busy...

She's obviously very lonely/needy - does she not have much interaction on a daily basis?

Is this a family issue ? do you all need to collaborate and co-ordinate taking it in turns to phone her?

I have an eldery aunt who acts like this.

She didn't send me a birthday or Christmas card last year, and when I dropped her Christmas card and gift off she just said 'I suppose I won't see you for a while'. I just thought a card would be nice. All one sided about her.

We are almost NC due to he selfishness.

@LimonViola interesting read. I've apparently been doing Medium Chill with my mother for years without realising it.

We all have a rellie like that and you just have to make the best of it. And

It's a great method Pavlova. Similar to the grey rock.

What a brilliant article! Wish I'd read it years ago.

1-2 days to reply to a text is fine. I wish I was organised enough to do that and I'm not even working at the moment. She might get bored and move on to someone else. Is she the same with other family members?

Have you explained to that that your busy and cant always reply immediately? but that you will get back to her when you have a chance?
If she continues like this I'd say its best not to text/ email and that you will just see her for family meet ups.

Set boundries, she sounds like a difficult person.

Thanks all. I have tried telling her but she just reminds me that other people keep in touch with their aunts and that it's not normal etc etc. I've just lost sight of what IS normal and what isn't. I think I'm just drained and needed to vent. Pregnancy is exhausting without crazy family members!

Yeah I hear you. To text so many times in a row without getting a reply is a bit odd I must say. Don't let it worry you. I'm sure she will survive if you don't reply every time.