Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To have not called my sister to check it was OK to call

295 replies

surprisinglyordinary · 02/05/2020 17:11

My sister moved to Australia a few years ago. Speaking on the phone is more complicated due to the time difference and we've never managed to be in at the same time unless it's prearranged. So now we prearrange calls via email/ whatsapp. We have been speaking perhaps every 4 months.

She had an op in November. relatively major but all went well. We had arranged a phone call for about 2 weeks after he op. She was at home after about 3 days, but obviously it's very tiring to have major surgery and she also was sometimes experiencing pain so she was far from fully recovered. Phone call was 'booked' for a Monday morning. She asked if I could whatsapp her on the Saturday to check she was still on for our phone call on Monday. I said I couldn't as I was away for the weekend with my OH. We go away once a year, to spa hotel for the weekend and as we have no family support it is the only time all year we get time away from the kids (I do a swop with a friend who is in the same position as us to make this happen). I said I would just call on the Monday and if she was free we could talk and if she could not pick up because she was tired or did not feel up to it we would just rearrange.

The call did not go ahead (she cancelled it) and she has blanked me ever since (cancelled every phone call I tried to book since and not initiated contact with me at all). When I contacted her to talk about this she said she was put out that I'd not been happy to whatsapp her on the Saturday. She has not contacted me at all in the last 6 months now and as far as she's saying, this is the only reason why.

Was I being unreasonable in saying I wouldn't whatsapp on the Sat to see if we could still talk on the Monday? I don't think so but I would like to hear other's views in case I need to wobble my head.

OP posts:
Catsrus · 03/05/2020 20:15

let her go - seriously - life's too short to dance to her tunes. I've got family in Australia too - if one of us rings and it's not convenient we just say "can't talk now" - happens all the time, not a big deal.

Abijay1 · 03/05/2020 20:34

Well, l think the question should be how much do you value the relationship with your sister. Obviously not enough to spend less than 5 minutes to send her a WhatsApp msg. I am sure your time with your OH is protected time, but even then there is nothing wrong with a bit of flexibilty when it comes to being there for others. I hope she comes round and you guys make up because every one matters.

riceuten · 03/05/2020 20:43

Whatever the issue around the WhatsApp message, the reaction is completely OTT. I'd write and apologise, and then leave it a year.

Mary46 · 03/05/2020 20:58

She being petty I think the sister abroad.
If this drags on maybe give her a call. I have sisters yes can be hard work.

Tubs11 · 03/05/2020 21:05

Are you both quite stubborn in nature? I get that the time difference is challenging but such scheduled calls make it more business like than family fun tbh

msgreen · 03/05/2020 21:09

I have a similar struggle , with my cousin, she is never Ava to speak unless she’s having a crisis But sends endless WhatsApp’s and emails , we have to arrange to speak !! She’s got no family doesn’t go out much after work etc
It drives me nuts , it’s so weird and takes up to much time , the odd a quick call is just so much easier . I have just realised it’s a power
Struggle of sorts. Just don’t want to play the game ,

Sushiroller · 03/05/2020 21:13

My friend lives in Sydney and I catch her in the morning (before or on the way to work) and morning/late night at the weekend. We speak every couple of weeks and whatsapp in between.

You don't sound like you like each other / can't be bothered to make an effort.

FelicisNox · 03/05/2020 21:55

OMG. MN at it's finest in the comments section.

The OP gets ONE, count it, ONE weekend with her husband per YEAR but you lot thinks she is the one being unreasonable?

Why? Why can't she have her ONE opportunity to relax and speak to her sister the day she gets home? Please explain why the sister absolutely must have her WhatsApp call specifically on the one and only weekend she knows OP is away?

OP you absolutely are not being unreasonable and your sister needs to grow up, operation or not. You've said it yourself, you're not close and she has you dancing attendance.

I dare say she knows about your one weekend a year and she's just being a cow. Let her get on with it.

gavisconismyfriend · 04/05/2020 07:25

Not sure why so many are finding it odd that you book calls in advance. My BF moved to NZ and we book calls to make sure we get to speak. We both have v busy lives in literally opposite time zones. Weekdays are impossible because by the time I’m home from work she’s just gone to work and vice versa. I have no problem staying at home on a Sat eve to talk to her, if that’s planned, but I do need to know in advance so that I don’t arrange anything else. Also sounds like calls for you are emotionally challenging, so better if you can be prepared for them. V surprised that so many think YABU, I think you’re being given a hard time here OP.

lightsout · 04/05/2020 08:11

I think you're both equally to blame here to be honest. Suck it up if you want a relationship with her, say sorry for being awkward and hope we can get back in touch because I don't want to fall out. Then leave it in her hands.

There certainly does seem to be a backstory here - I can't imagine scheduling calls with a sibling 3 times a year?

skyblu · 04/05/2020 08:27

Honestly, it’s like you just don’t want to make time for each other. Your post is filled with every excuse & justification you can muster.

Refusing to WhatsApp your sister after she’s had a major operation.....because that’s your weekend away with DH...I mean seriously?!
A WhatsApp would’ve taken less than 2 minutes.
You don’t want to be in touch with your sister and you’re finding every excuse to justify that.
If you don’t want to stay in touch with each other, then don’t. It sounds like neither of you can be bothered.

If you do want to stay in touch with her and she’s important to you, then pull your finger out & work at it.

WeMustGetOffTheMountain · 04/05/2020 08:47

@FelicisNox she wasn’t booking the call for the weekend, she was just asking her sister to message on the Saturday to check she was still ok to call on the Monday.

PamwichShilling · 04/05/2020 08:55

She's being ridiculous and I couldn't be arsed with someone like that.
If she wasn't up to the phone call, she can send you a message herself saying so (which presumably she did), no need for you to check she's still ok for it 2 days before hand and it's a massive overreaction from her to ignore you ever since.

Ludways · 04/05/2020 09:10

Couldn't she have just whatsapp'd you on the Saturday herself instead of prearranging for you to whatsapp with a question she already knows?

Her: Ask me if I want a phone call on Monday?
You: Do you want a phone call on Monday?
Her: No

As opposed to

Her: Don't call me on Monday

She's hard work. I bet you're glad you had the weekend away now.

eleventy3isthemagicnumber · 04/05/2020 09:21

OP I can't believe the people trying to pin this on you for not contacting her on your weekend away, but I guess this is AIBU and it is full of people looking for even the most petty reason to castigate OPs as kicking other people makes them feel better about themselves for some reason. Been here years and seen it loads in this section Sad

If this was part of a pattern of behaviour where you made your DSis feel like she was your last priority then maybe something as petty as this could be a last straw, I suppose, but any reasonable person would just accept you weren't available.

Is your sister generally someone who can't cope with people saying no to her / not doing what she wants? She's being ridiculous.

eleventy3isthemagicnumber · 04/05/2020 09:22

Couldn't she have just whatsapp'd you on the Saturday herself instead of prearranging for you to whatsapp with a question she already knows?

This. Why couldn't she just message you. Why did she ask you to contact her to ask her? Are you her PA?

longwayoff · 04/05/2020 09:30

Did you WhatsApp her to tell her you couldn't WhatsApp?

NotBeforeCoffee · 04/05/2020 10:07

Sounds like you are both looking for reasons to give up this relationship

HannaYeah · 04/05/2020 12:07

She sounds ridiculous and controlling. She could easily have messaged you herself on Saturday to say she couldn’t make the call on Monday. Any reasonable person would have done so.

Now she’s punishing you emotionally for not doing as she said. She wants to live half a world away and then dictate if, when and how she will communicate with you.

I’m sorry OP. It’s not you.

DollyDoneMore · 04/05/2020 12:16

You were both being unreasonable.

changemynamechangemynamewhen · 04/05/2020 12:22

The op is more wrong as she's not the one who's had a major op. However the OPs sister appears equally as dramatic. I wonder what the mum of the family is like in all this

dustyparadeground · 04/05/2020 14:48

You are both pathetic. Family? Doesn't sound like it if you can't get past this trivial matter

Grandmi · 04/05/2020 14:56

I don’t understand why you need to book a call !! You both sound very petty and uncomfortable with each other .

Harls1969 · 04/05/2020 15:48

I'd have set a reminder on my phone to message her...but equally, she could have WhatsApp messaged you on the Saturday to say whether she would be up for the call! It's all a bit ridiculous that she's sulking about it

surprisinglyordinary · 04/05/2020 15:59

You are both pathetic. Family? Doesn't sound like it if you can't get past this trivial matter

I am not stressing about it. She is. I did not even remember the 'incident' until she said she was put out by it (some months after it happened).

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread