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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To disown my sister for being a narcissist and a terrible mother

107 replies

ritsbiscuits · 25/05/2022 16:07

I don’t care if this identifies me, I’m so beyond sick of her. She is 2 years younger than me and has always been hard work. She put my parents through absolute hell as a teenager (drugs, a termination, casual sex with older lads) and her behaviour triggered depression for my mum, which she never really recovered from. I think my sister has a narcissistic personality disorder.

She got married at 21 to a lad who came from money. They’d been together 2 years and they’d met at uni. My parents were quite happy as they thought she’d settle down. They gave her £15,000 (which was more than half of their savings) toward a house deposit to buy with her husband. I resented not getting any money at the time but I was travelling around the world at the time and was partying in Australia living in a flatshare with friends, so I just assumed they’d give me a bit if I ever came to buy (never got round to it though). Her husband also got a huge lump sum from his parents and they bought a gorgeous property. It really was lovely. Semi detached, huge and in a lovely leafy area.

Despite having a degree she’s never had a proper job. She was married as soon as she finished uni and then was living with her husband and was soon pregnant. She had baby girl and then another baby girl just over a year later in quick succession. She was living the dream and even had an au pair, cleaner etc. Lovely car. Her husband had a well paying job. When her children were both in primary school (private, and her in-laws paid half of the school fees for them) she opened up a baking business and let a shop. It went under after a few months and she had the audacity to beg my parents for a bail out because she didn’t want to take a loan. They gave her £8000. I’d still not seen any money from them. They were scared she’d go off the rails because of her erratic personality.

Her business managed a bit longer after that but after a few months she had to close it. For years after that she just did nothing. She is high maintenance and always had her hair/nails/face done. Whenever we saw them she was vile to her husband and always shouting at him.

4 years ago her and her husband ended up divorcing, he left her and she was distraught. Their kids were 9 and 11 at the time. She took them off to Florida for 3 weeks, me, mum, dad and her ex-husband thought it was genuinely just a holiday. Then while she was there she posted tons of pictures of her and the kids with some random man. We found out she’d met him online just after the divorce and had gone over to meet him. Her ex husband was incensed that she’d taken the children to meet him.

She came back from this trip pregnant, (‘accidentally’) which surprised none of us. Pre-divorce she’d been talking about wanting to move to America and her ex-husband didn’t want to, which is partly why he left her. We all believe it was intentional. Cue her then declaring she was moving over there. Her ex husband took steps to prevent her taking their children (who didn’t want to go). She had the baby in the UK. She had the nerve to ask my parents to contribute some money for her to give birth in a private hospital in London (where she’d had her older 2, on her ex husband’s/in-laws money), and I made sure they said no because it was fucking ridiculous. My mum was consdering it though. The poor thing had to settle for giving birth in an NHS hospital and we never heard the end of it. She withheld the baby from my mum who was desperate to meet her for ages and said it was because she was annoyed over them not paying for her to give birth at the private hospital and she felt ‘let down’.

She went back to the US for a few weeks not long after the birth with the baby and married the father (this was only their 3rd time ever meeting).

After more drama over her 2 older kids not wanting to go and her ex not letting her take them, she has now decided she’s going to leave them and move to America permanently with her youngest daughter. She’d have gone earlier if not for Covid. She’s leaving my older 2 nieces with their dad. Both of her older girls have been completely messed up by her behaviour. One of the girls hates her and can’t wait to see the back of her whereas the other one is absolutely distraught and has been begging her not to go (to no avail).
The younger one also begged to go with her (she didn’t initially want to go, she was just distraught at the idea of not having her mum) and her response was “I can’t take you because of your dad.” These poor girls are really suffering. They also both hate her husband and are resentful of their youngest sister. I have become quite close to them in recent months. Though my sister hasn’t actually gone yet they’ve already moved in with their dad and she barely sees them. Her excuse is “they both hate me”. I wonder why? But I opened up a line of communication with her ex husband and said if he ever needed support with them then let me know, and I’ve been spending time with them. I wouldn’t say as a ‘mother’ figure but as a female figure for personal things maybe they don’t want to talk to their dad about.

My mum wants to throw her a leaving do, and I’ve said I’m not going. She was upset after hearing sister’s ex husband wouldn’t be bringing the kids to the leaving do and when I said I was on his side she had a huge go at me and has accused me of being jealous. My mum is now not speaking to me. I can’t even feel angry at my mum, I think my sister has just completed broken her spirit.

My AIBU is am I in the wrong to be completely disowning her, I’d go as far as to say I hate her. I’m worried sick for her youngest daughter as well. Her new husband isn’t a particularly upstanding citizen. I don’t really have a reason to post but I just need to vent. I have a husband and young children of my own but he is sick of listening to me vent about her.

OP posts:
heldinadream · 25/05/2022 16:16

Half way through your post I got it. YANBU OP, and well done for supporting her girls. Let your mum throw the party, but you don't have to attend. Stand your ground there. Poor girls.

KellyJonesLeatherTrousers · 25/05/2022 16:20

I would focus on being an auntie for your two older nieces who will need their family around then and let her go - both in terms of geography and mentally.

Unfortunately you’ll have to let your DM come to her own conclusions in her own time, just let her know you’re there when she is ready and I’m sure you will be speaking again soon.

Clarinet1 · 25/05/2022 16:22

It certainly sounds as though you have every reason to be angry with your sister. I also get the impression that the older two girls will be grateful to have you around as the grown up if their mother is not going to be there for them. In terms of your sister, if she is determined to go off to the US it sounds as though the ties will be quite cut anyway, whatever you do. If everything falls apart and she comes crawling back, cross that bridge when you come to it. On the other hand, if you feel your DM may be cajoled into bailing her out in ways she cannot afford, maybe talk to DM about boundaries or possibly getting power of attorney.

purpleboy · 25/05/2022 16:26

Your doing the right thing op. I imagine those poor girls will have serious issues stemming from this. They need supportive people around, you'll be invaluable to them.

Sova · 25/05/2022 16:29

Those girls are lucky to have you in their life. I would just keep distance but not officially disowning her as such. I’d try and be neutral also for those girls sake, just sake something like mummy loves you but she’s always been a bit lost. Perhaps she comes back from states sooner than you think, not worth burning bridges. Although I get how you feel.
your mum might be feeling some guilt, maybe wondering if she’s contributed to her being like that? So unfair on you though! Just let them get on with the party and say you’ll come to one when she comes back and decides to prioritise All her children

KettrickenSmiled · 25/05/2022 16:36

YANBU OP - YANBU at all & you are clearly a darling who wants to see the best outcome for her nieces.

Your mum will get over herself, & realise she has a decent daughter in the UK, & needn't fash herself too much over your sister.

Tirediam · 25/05/2022 16:37

This is heartbreaking for those girls. They are lucky to have you and no YANBU!! Not one bit. She’s a very selfish self absorbed woman by the sound of it.

MissConductUS · 25/05/2022 16:37

Kudos for standing up for her daughters.

She may have a bit of a challenge proving to the immigration authorities in the US that the marriage isn't a sham given the short-term nature of the relationship.

YANBU.

Irishfarmer · 25/05/2022 16:38

Wow you're sister is a cow! I am glad her dd's have you and what sounds like a good father. I also presume your parents are in good contact with them.

I don't blame you for needing to vent. You prob don't need any of us to tell you this will most likely end badly and she will slink back from the US

ritsbiscuits · 25/05/2022 16:46

I’ll admit when I was younger and after I had my kids there was some jealousy. I always worked my arse off. But there she was, always an absolute terror but just had some lad who came from money fall in love with her and ended up with it all. Gorgeous house, gorgeous car, those 2 beautiful girls, private education for her kids, lovely
holidays all of the time, being a SAHM.

But it goes beyond that now. I just feel desperately sorry for all of her kids.

OP posts:
NrlySp · 25/05/2022 16:47

The ex needs to look at The Hague Convention. It illegal for a parent to take children from their country of usual residence to another country without the consent of both parents. It’s abduction.

ritsbiscuits · 25/05/2022 16:49

@NrlySp.

She’s leaving the kids, and just taking the youngest (who’s father is American). That’s what has caused the rift

OP posts:
PaddleBoardingMomma · 25/05/2022 16:51

ritsbiscuits · 25/05/2022 16:49

@NrlySp.

She’s leaving the kids, and just taking the youngest (who’s father is American). That’s what has caused the rift

I'm rubbish with advice, so I won't wade in but I do want to say that you can leave all that jealousy waaaaay behind in the past, you're clearly the much more compassionate, well balanced and kinder of the two of you, no money makes up for that. I really applaud you looking out for your nieces.

PriestessofPing · 25/05/2022 16:57

I think you should, yes, and concentrate on being a great aunt to those girls.

Your mum is enabling your sister and has no right to try and drag you into this mess and force you to suck it up and ignore her horrific behaviour. Depending on your relationship with your mum it might be worth pointing out that although she chooses to bury her head in the sand and pretend things are ‘normal’, that doesn’t reflect reality. And it’s wrong of her to expect you to collude in excusing your sister’s terrible behaviour when it’s impacting so many people, including you.

Shanksponyorbust · 25/05/2022 16:58

You have every right to be angry with her, but it’s her decision (mistake imo) to make given the kids have a Dad who can bring them up.

Keeping Dad & the DC in your family circle is a good thing for the kids. When my exH beggared off abroad he at least phoned the DC 2/3 time’s a week. I’m not sure your sis will do the same so having an Aunty who loves them will help enormously.

How you handle the party situation will depend on what you want to achieve. You may decide to go to keep the peace with your mum. If it’s to cut your sis out altogether don’t go. If you want to keep the door open with sis for the sake of the DC (despite your understandable opinions on the matter) then grit your teeth and go.

BellaTheDarkOverlord · 25/05/2022 17:00

It's so sad really. We had a family friend who did the same. Suddenly left the UK for a guy she met online and went to US. She left behind an 8 year old girl with her dad and has not seen them since. She was from US originally though.

Just make sure you're there for the girls. You can't change the way your sister is but at least you can be there for the girls when they need you. Also for your mum.

Shanksponyorbust · 25/05/2022 17:01

Your sis should be paying child maintenance to the Dad for the older DC. He may not ask for it because of his circumstances but if he needs it he might be better off getting a court order in place before she goes.

I’m not a legal bod so he’ll need advice, just know it’s hard to pursue child maintenance abroad.

Velvian · 25/05/2022 17:05

I think you need to separate things a bit @ritsbiscuits

Her DDs are victims of the situation now and it sounds like she is letting them down terribly as a mother.

However, it seems like you are allowing childhood jealousy to blame your sister for situations that she was the victim of in her teens.

She went through teenage and termination, not your parents. It sounds like she was not sufficiently safeguarded from harmful situations.

It seems like she is still putting a man's approval over her own wellbeing and security. Her DDs are now the victims of that.

ritsbiscuits · 25/05/2022 17:07

Both girls are damaged by this but are expressing it in different ways. Younger one has become quite withdrawn and depressed and kept trying to change her personality to imitate her mum’s (being quite brash and glamorous) in an attempt to get her mum to want to take her. It was heartbreaking.

Older one who is 15 has been acting out and school and was caught with weed recently.
I spoke to her about it and she said she just feels so angry at her mum and doesn’t know to deal with it.

OP posts:
KettrickenSmiled · 25/05/2022 17:10

I take it the girls' schools are aware of what they are handling OP?

Is there counselling or any form of additional support for them available via school?

Acheyknees · 25/05/2022 17:11

You sound lovely OP and I'm glad the girls have you in their lives. You need to support their father now, it sounds like your sister is playing the victim here.
You know this new relationship will go wrong and she'll be pleading for yet more money to get her home. What a mess.

ritsbiscuits · 25/05/2022 17:16

Yes I believe school are aware of the situation.

Sister can be vindictive and has 0 patience when it comes to her girls acting up or lashing out at her (which is happening every time she sees them, even though she sees them rarely at the moment.) She has said some awful things especially to the older one.
Her ex spoke to her about some of the 15 year old’s bad behaviour and she said “Well I’ll be in America soon anyway.” Niece was in earshot. She is unbelievable.

OP posts:
ritsbiscuits · 25/05/2022 17:19

In an ideal world for me my sister would be being assesed for a personality disorder. There is something fundamentally wrong with her.

OP posts:
RedPlumbob · 25/05/2022 17:23

You’re not on the ex’s side, you’re on the side of your two eldest nieces - perhaps reframe it that way. Their father needs to sort out some therapy etc and do NOT rely on CAMHS, they’re not fit for purpose for even the most seriously ill teens/children.

Pipsickl · 25/05/2022 17:27

I disowned my horrible sister for being an abuser and shite mother to her little girl (who thankfully is now in court ordered custody of her father).

it was hard initially, as I kept thinking she would change. Then I would return to this thought which made me realise that at her age, she really wouldn’t, I’d never trust or respect her, and really what was the point? Just because you are related to someone you don’t have to share your life with them.

anyway I did this 3 years ago, and Since then I have seen her once at a funeral, where I was polite and made small talk for the sake of the wider family. I expect the next time we meet will be at a similar event.

she will never be in my life, my kids life, or my home again. I do not regret this. I still think of her, but ultimately it was the right decision.

YANBU. Cut her out if u need to x