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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Mum bought my pregnant sister a house, but i get nothing... ever

144 replies

supergirl16 · 30/06/2021 12:58

I have a similar situation whereby my older sister, of 3 years, has always had a lot of help. At university she never had a job as my parents supported her, from age 21 - 26 she paid no rent (living with boyfriends and my parents) and still got handouts to decorate and renovate her houses, go on expensive holidays etc. I had 3 jobs at university and paid all of my bills from age 21. At 22 I paid full London rent (aware that was my choice). Recently she became pregnant and my mum bought her a house. Despite my sister having a good job in Dubai, she didn't save any money (but had a great time buying designer clothes, extravagant holidays and plastic surgery) and when she returned to the UK pregnant, my mum spent her life savings on a house for her. My mum had told me those were for a house for her and her partner as they wanted to move closer to our family. I feel so bad for my mum but at the same time I really don't. When I was desperate to get into the creative industry for a career and the job I was offered was very low salary, my parents did not offer to help me (even though I was only 22). They instead said things like 'I don't think you should take the opportunity because how will you afford to live?' insinuating I would not receive any help from them and they've never supported me - even when I lost my job and lived independently in London. Yet, my sister is pregnant and is flat out bought a house. Just to rub salt in the wound, it is a brand new house and has been kitted out with luxurious new furniture. I have had to scrimp and save and also miss out on opportunities - not just holidays - things like job opportunities as I was made to feel I couldn't afford - i had to have my own back as my family wouldn't for the past 4 years whilst not asking/or expecting a penny. My mum tells me she helps me all time but I feel like she delusional as she might buy me a coffee when were together but nothing more ever.... which is fine. However I don't understand why she bought my sister a house when
I realise I am envious of my sisters easy ride to enjoying life and essentially having the penny and the bun. But everytime she brings up money she complains how she is so hard done by, even though she got bought everything... (a house, a £1k pram, new furniture, new clothes etc etc). I have not been given anything and even if I need money, I simply deal with it and sacrifice opportunities but she will continue to get hand outs. I never say anything to this depth because I don't want to upset my mum but when I mention that my sister receives a lot of help, she either says one of these few things; that she does help me (wheres my house? I'm joking i know she can't buy two houses at once) or she tries to diffuse the situation saying she doesn't think its the case, or she will remind me of the trauma my sister when through when she became pregnant in Dubai (where you not allowed to be unmarried and pregnant - though the law recently changed), she had to come home. I feel kind of gaslighted by the situation and I am worried that I am beginning to dislike my family and this shift (which I am now realising has always sort of been there) is causing a massive rift in my relationship with them. I feel like very sad about the whole situation, and I sometimes hope I'm completely wrong but I just feel so cast aside. I have recently taken a pay reduction to do a job I have always wanted, and when i was offered between two jobs my mum didn't even hear the job roles and immediately said take the one that pays more.... This is the feeling I get from them all the time. What do I do?

OP posts:
DeflatedGinDrinker · 30/06/2021 13:06

Nothing you can do OP is there. Put up with it or call them out and possibly fall out. Doesn't sound fair at all though.

LadyCatStark · 30/06/2021 13:09

YWBU not to say something as it’s clearly not fair. Your mum’s choice of course, but she can’t be left thinking that she treats you fairly when she doesn’t.

Fiddliestofsticks · 30/06/2021 13:11

You do have to remember that it is her choice what to do with her money, but that doesnt mean she isnt a shitty parent for what she is doing.

I would lay it all out, and then walk away. Your mum seems to be showing her love with money, and she isnt including you in that. I would not be able to stand by and watch. Just lay it all out, right back to the unfairness in early twenties.

Zari29 · 30/06/2021 13:14

This is so grossly unfair and not right at all. Most importantly this is unacceptable. It's also at this point you need to realize that you will never win. By win, I mean you will never win approval from your mother. You will never win the fight to be seen as equal or reasonable. You need to mentally start distancing yourself and make peace with the relationship. It's always been this way and it won't change. Your dm is justifying buying you coffees against a whole house purchase. And that's probably the last straw for you. Stop being available to do stuff for your dm, stop prioritizing her feelings over yourself, and stop feeling guilty for wanting to be treated equally. She is really a horrible mother to treat her children so unfairly.

Sexlife · 30/06/2021 13:14

I just do not get why some parents do this. Angry Mine did the same, not a house but a car, horse etc, so hurtful.Sad

Either speak to your mum frankly or put up with it. I am NC with mine, for me thus was just a part of my black sheep treatment.

Just10moreminutesplease · 30/06/2021 13:14

I’m sorry OP, that sounds incredibly unfair Flowers.

What you do depends on whether you’re willing to risk falling out and whether you can cope with the resentment if you don’t say anything.

In your shoes I’d have it out with my mum. I’d write out a list of all the help your sister has had compared to you and explain exactly how it makes you feel.

But only you know if the fallout is worth it for you.

randomkey123 · 30/06/2021 13:15

My sister is the golden child. I've spent most of life angry, hurt and upset by it.

Until my lightbulb moment came when I realised that my sister was only getting more work done on her house because Mum had done an equity release on hers..........

Now I stand back, and smile that I'm financially and emotionally independent of Mum and I'm not the one wading through their toxic and dependent relationship. I'm my own person, with my own acheivements and I'm bloody proud of them.

Go low contact, and let them get on with it.

osbertthesyrianhamster · 30/06/2021 13:17

They don't value you. Please get them out of your life.

Orgasmagorical · 30/06/2021 13:18

I feel so bad for my mum but at the same time I really don't

Why do you feel bad for her?

Is it about the money or is it about the emotions behind her behaviour?

Roomonb · 30/06/2021 13:18

I would see the benefit, your sister can care for them as they get older. I know it hurts, definitely favourites in my family too. Tbh I think if you raise it you will be told you are jealous and ungrateful. I’d go low contact and leave them to it. It’s not your fault, you didn’t do anything to deserve this, it’s important you understand that.

AllotmentJam · 30/06/2021 13:21

Op I know it stings but it isn’t good for your sister either she’s not learning to budget or the value of money and eventually those cash injections will stop. I think it’s also quite embarrassing to not be able to pay your own bills all your adult life.

Youseethethingis · 30/06/2021 13:22

That's shit but at least you can walk away proud of your achievements and knowing you won't be het when the day comes that your mum needs help.

Fieldsoftripe9 · 30/06/2021 13:26

Call your mum out or forever hold your peace (or bitterness!).

Hugely unfair, I think if you want to continue a relationship with her you do really need to discuss this.

Superdoopersoup · 30/06/2021 13:30

Unfortunately, as you already realise, your sister is your mother's favourite.

You have sucked it up until now. But now is the time for you to speak up and let your mother know exactly how you feel.

Your mother's favouritism has removed any expectation of future support she may need in the future. So make it clear to her by distancing yourself from her now.

Viviennemary · 30/06/2021 13:33

It's cheeky. Go no contact with the lot of them.

Maggiesfarm · 30/06/2021 13:34

When your parents die, you might find they have left you more in their will.

MilduraS · 30/06/2021 13:34

That sounds like a really shitty situation and I say that as someone who hasn't received as much financial help as a sibling. My parents have at least kept things fair even if they couldn't afford to keep it equal. They helped my sister with £20k of savings when her employer went bust while she was pregnant but I've never been in that situation so they didn't need to do it for me. They aren't particularly well off so it wasn't a small amount to them. If it was a random financial gift like a house deposit they wouldn't dream of giving it to one of us and not the other.

MargosKaftan · 30/06/2021 13:36

I dont see what you have to lose by telling your mother you find her obvious favouritism towards your sister hurtful and given how much financial support they have given her over the years, to be followed up with gifting a whole house, are you supposed to see this as anything other than unfair and obvious that they care more about your sister.

Does your sister know that not only did your parents not match the support that gave her to you, but now this house offer means using up all their savings so they cant help you out? How does she feel about the unfairness ?

Mummyoflittledragon · 30/06/2021 13:38

This is so hurtful. Your mother is telling you who she is. So is your sister. I know you think you’re unlucky, but you’re the one not beholden to her. You could literally walk away if you wanted.

As for why she does this? You are probably very emotionally strong. Your mum does this to you because you let her.

My question is why do you not think you have the right to demand to be treated equally or to cut her off?

MargosKaftan · 30/06/2021 13:39

Sorry worded that badly ! Favourite children often don't realise the other sibling didn't get the same help, or assumed it was offered but you chose to go your own way / didn't need it.

Dont let your mothers bad behaviour come between you and your sister. Talk to her about it. She might know she's getting all the savings and that means you won't get any help. She might not realise this wasn't available to you too.

3scape · 30/06/2021 13:40

Make it clear to your mum now that she's made her bed. ..... You're very aware of all she's done for you and you'll be sure to buy her a coffee or two when she's living with your sister.

EssentialHummus · 30/06/2021 13:40

I wouldn't be taking this up w/her and waiting for some bs response; I'd be distanning myself.

supersop60 · 30/06/2021 13:41

@Maggiesfarm

When your parents die, you might find they have left you more in their will.
Or, their house will have to be sold to fund their care, and the little that is left will be shared... This is likely to be my DP's scenario. I say call them out on it, then go low contact - you don't need this toxicity.
WhoNeedsaManOfTheWorld · 30/06/2021 13:41

I would tell her how hurtful it is. Focus on the favouritism rather than the cost or items or she will just accuse you of being greedy/jealous
Then let your sister support her and back off or they will continue to hurt you

worrybutterfly · 30/06/2021 13:42

I've been in a similar situation. Honestly there is nothing you can do to 'fix' it.

In the end it was eating me up. Not getting emotional or financial help while it's been dished out so freely to a sibling really makes you question your worth. I went to see a therapist, talked it over, realised it wasn't my fault and have stopped beating myself up about it.

Still haven't fully let it go though. DSis is onto her 2nd 'parent funded' house, but holidays like it's going out of fashion.

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