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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not try again with DB?

121 replies

Biancadelrioisback · 31/08/2019 15:20

Backstory:
My brother is 2 yrs older than me. We grew up privileged, in a nice area with very lovely parents, wanted for nothing. He was always very academic, always had top marks in science and maths, played football and was quite good, relatively attractive so no problems with finding girlfriends etc. I was more arty, loved writing and performing, good singer etc. We went to different schools (single sex) yet he was always in competition with me. I was still good at school and always had really good but not always top marks which he used to rub in my face, calling me thick etc. He just has a very nasty streak. If he could hurt me, he would. As he's very clever, he was very good at doing this subtlety and wearing me down over many years. As an example, when I would dress up for an occasion, he would side eye me and snort/laugh then just turn his back on me. I would call him out all the time but again, because it was always subtle, he could deny it or make it seem like I was overreacting. But this was constant.

When he went to uni, my life was much better, I had freedom and he was gone. He was quite nasty to my DM too, he would ignore her calls and texts all the time, told all his mates that she was really annoying and pathetic, but she loves him so when he did bother with her, she was almost grateful. He studied an academic subject at a very prestigious uni and did very well, went on to get his PHD and now has a successful, well paid career. I studied an arty subject at uni (still got into a good one!) and went on to be a wedding and events planner for a number of years. He mocked and belittled my course and later, my career whenever I saw him. He would always put me down wherever he could and caused issues between me and my friends/boyfriends. He told my first long term boyfriend that I was cheating on him and had 'proof' which was completely fabricated.
Now I always have been a very confident person, I call out shitty behaviour when I witness it, I've always had lots of friends and a great social life, I've taken lots of big risks and made some crazy choices but I've had a great life off the back of it. He has always played it safe, only had a couple of friends who he isn't close to and treats his wife appallingly.

So now, I have a 2yr old DS with my DH. DB, when I first had DS, started trying to plant the idea in DHs head that DS wasn't his. Saying things like "baby doesn't look anything like Bianca, or you. He actually looks a lot like X, don't you think?"
Now DH isn't stupid and basically told DB to do one.
We bought our first house recently and my parents very generously gave us half the deposit. We are a low earning household despite both DH and I working full time so we would never have been able to save up that money on our own. DB went mad and demanded the same money from our parents even though he didn't need it. My parents also help us with childcare and he has now asked my parents to give him the same amount they save us in childcare fees to make things 'fair'.
Very recently, there was a family get together for my parents 'big' wedding anniversary so obviously DH, DS and I were there.
DB has had nothing to do with DS before but he was actually great with him. DS loved his uncle and they played together the whole time almost. I was hesitant but thought that it was good that they have a good relationship even though I don't have one with DB. At the end of the day, my DS told me I was stupid and thick. He's never said this before. I suspect my DB was saying this to him to stir some shit. When I told DS off for things (playing with food etc) DB would undermine me and do silly things like stick his tongue out at me, so obviously DS copied.

It recently came out that DB is suffering with depression and is seeing a therapist and taking medication, apparently he was toying with the idea of suicide. My DM has approached me and told me I need to be the bigger person and make an effort with my DB in order to help him.
Tbh, I don't want to. I have nothing to do with him unless I absolutely have to, and I don't want that to change. I don't want him in my life. I don't really want him around DS. DH doesn't like him either. My DM has practically begged me as she can't face losing her son which I fully understand.
I just don't know what to do.

(Have changed some details as anyone who knows me IRL would recognise me from this I think)

OP posts:
Biancadelrioisback · 31/08/2019 15:21

Sorry that is much longer than I intended...I just sort of ranted at you all there...

OP posts:
BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 31/08/2019 15:25

Yanbu to want to distance yourself from him. Anyone who tried to poison my child against me would never see me or the child again.

Bouffalant · 31/08/2019 15:26

No, I wouldn't make any effort with him.

InvisibleWomenMustBeRead · 31/08/2019 15:34

I wouldn't be making any effort with him either - he sounds jealous and vile. Protect yourself and your family.

BMW6 · 31/08/2019 15:37

He has always been a nasty bastard. He is now a depressed and possibly suicidal nasty bastard.

I feel sorry for your Mum of course - but you owe him absolutely nothing. Unless he has a revelation about his appalling past behaviors and offers a fulsome, genuine and heartfelt apology and explanation why he has always been such a cunt I wouldn't give him the time of day.

Gamble66 · 31/08/2019 15:37

Depression is neither here no there - he's a toxic bastard who you should not pander to.

BMW6 · 31/08/2019 15:40

I meant to ask - have you made your Mother aware of all this shit your brother has pulled? If you have, how can she possibly excuse the pain he has caused YOU?

Is it only his feelings and wellbeing that matter to her?

Cheeserton · 31/08/2019 15:43

No, he's a bastard to you and always has been. Cut him loose, illness or not.

Biancadelrioisback · 31/08/2019 15:44

He would never apologise. I don't think he could even spell 'sorry'. He broke my arm as a child by shoving a stick in my bike spokes on purpose and fully denied it. He claimed he had thrown the stick for the dog and it was all an accident which my parents bought. I dont think they want to admit the truth about him. He never apologised for that and laughed at me in my cast. Would do things like, move drinks further away from me, cut off the right sleeves off all my clothes to 'help' and stupid things like that

OP posts:
Biancadelrioisback · 31/08/2019 15:45

I don't think my parents will ever see him for what he is. My DM is so desperate for us to be a big happy family, like she is with all her siblings, that she can't accept that it'll never happen. I think she is hoping that now he's getting help, things will be different.

OP posts:
travellersglitch · 31/08/2019 15:45

No definitely don't make any effort and keep your son away from him!

Biancadelrioisback · 31/08/2019 15:47

People never believe me when I tell them because he is so good at presenting himself as a nice guy.

OP posts:
CrotchetyQuaver · 31/08/2019 15:47

You must do what is right for you - not for your brother. Which to my mind is keeping as far away from him as you can. He sounds just like my brother, no idea why they're so mean and nasty but they are and it's got worse the older they get. No need to have a row with your mother about it, just dont be available to meet him and change the subject/remember you need to leave to go somewhere whenever she brings it up. Where is your father in all of this, can he see the person his his son really is, or is he looking through rose tinted spectacles at him as well?

CrotchetyQuaver · 31/08/2019 15:48

Sorry x posted

BlueJava · 31/08/2019 15:49

I can't believe you are still associating with him. I would completely avoid him even if he is depressed. He sounds toxic, you've put up with it for years, avoid him. Have an answer ready for your parents though when they start saying you have to come to some event and you "D"B is "unwell.

Biancadelrioisback · 31/08/2019 15:50

My dad is ill and has his own set of problems. He worked very long hours when we were kids so he wasn't around much. My parents are still together but my poor mum is trying to hold everything together.
I have a great relationship with them both and help them as much as I can.

OP posts:
Redshoesandtheblues · 31/08/2019 15:51

Stay away. People like him don't change and he will just hurt you more.

I have a brother just like him and I regret the times I have let him back into my life, just to be hurt and wounded by him all over again.

Trust your instincts. Leave him be.

Biancadelrioisback · 31/08/2019 15:53

I don't associate with him really.
I'd do anything for my mum so when she says she wants the whole family together I'll put up with his shit for her. Fortunately he doesn't have anything to do with DS (other than that get together) but I learnt that there is no way at future events I'll let him have any alone time with DS.

OP posts:
Flamingo84 · 31/08/2019 15:53

I really feel for you, not an easy situation.

I’ve gone through something similar stuff with my half brother who is almost 20 years older than me. Although he ignored me for years, was best friends when our shared parent was there and dropped me again the moment we were alone. He did a lot of low level nasty, petty stuff.

I was a child and he was an adult for most of this and it took me years to see what a bitter man he is. Eventually on my wedding day, he sent one of his children over to stir the pot on his behalf. That was when I realised how low he could stoop.

I’ve seen him since at funerals but that’s it. Our shared parent knows everything and said they understand my feelings and won’t push us together. I feel so much better now I’m not worrying about him anymore. It’s like a weight I didn’t realise was there has been lifted.

The most important thing is you, DH and DS. He’s hurt you, your DH doesn’t sound too fond and he’s trying to manipulate your DS. I hate to think it but is he being genuine about the depression, or is it a way to make your DM feel sorry for him or to excuse his behaviour? If it is genuine then it’s sad for him, but he’s made it clear for years that you’re low on his list, why should you be expected to step in now? Would he have done anything for you?

Be straight with your DM, as much as it must hurt her that you aren’t close, it’s not fair for you to accept the burden of a relationship with him. It’s you and your family who pay the cost.

I don’t like that DM is begging you to help as she doesn’t want to lose her son. Why is the onus on you to help, why are you the lynchpin of his recovery? She should be focusing on him and getting him the professional help he needs. Not throwing some guilt your way.

I really hope decide on what’s best for you.

mcmooberry · 31/08/2019 15:54

He sounds terrifying, I would stay as far away from him as possible. I advise that while absolutely understanding your DM's distress about the situation. He just is not going to change.

SalrycLuxx · 31/08/2019 15:56

Never let him back in and keep your boy away from him.

elvis86 · 31/08/2019 15:56

I almost never say this....but I'd go NC. You have little to no relationship with him anyway by the sounds of it, and when you do see him he causes shit for you. Why would you bother?

Cushionsarecomfie · 31/08/2019 15:56

I just want to say I totally understand and you have my utter sympathies. It sounds like he was always the golden child to your mum. Point is, it’s not your problem and actually you have to compartmentalise. It’s awful that he has such dark thoughts but don’t forget the impact his behaviour will have had on your life.

As I say my brother also loves undermining. I have built my business from scratch and it’s over a decade old. Originally he told me it was just a hobby. Now it would go bust in a recession or he could achieve what I do in his spare time before he does his much more important job. Very tiresome.

So anyway, our work paths are now crossing with my work potentially taking a lead... so when he tried to dismiss what I was doing I just stuck to absolute facts to prove that actually those who don’t get with the program (ie him) will just end up behind the door.

Point is, it’s really hard but try and see it like a lawyer would ie: where the gaps are in his argument or reasoning, focus on that. Calling out is great but can be seen as emotional. Try to take that out.

It’s taken me a long time to get to this stage and I am not there yet mind so will be looking at any suggestions anyone else makes with interest.

Biancadelrioisback · 31/08/2019 15:57

I have huge question marks over the depression thing too. But his wife has told me that she's come home and found him crying in the garage a number of times. He apparently zones out at times and she says she can tell he's in a dark place.
I never know what's a game and what's genuine

OP posts:
ControversialFerret · 31/08/2019 16:01

YANBU. I would stay as far away from him as possible.

Tell your DM that you aren't responsible for his welfare, and that she needs to leave you out of it. You won't respond to emotional blackmail - you hope he gets better, but that's as far as it goes because he burned his bridges with you a long time ago. And make it clear that any tears or attempts to guilt you into 'being the bigger person' will simply result in you keeping your distance from her.

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