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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:
ritsbiscuits · 25/05/2022 18:19

The stress of it and need to be there for my neice’s makes me neglect my own immediate family to some degree.

OP posts:
SunshineAndFizz · 25/05/2022 18:39

You're not being unreasonable. Good for you being a great auntie.

And from the limited detail in your post about your DM, I can tell you that she's to blame for how your DSis turned out. Over-indulged.

Knittingchamp · 25/05/2022 18:49

OP all the early stuff in your post was just your parents making their own (possibly Ill advised) life choices, your sister being an annoying teenager, etc. Forget all that. There are two things you are right about - your sister is unhinged and you are right for wanting to cut her off. Her poor girls. And a leaving do? Jesus. You're right not to go to that, too. The idea of a leaving do is very messed up.

I know you don't want to be angry at your mum, but be honest that your mum has been an enabler all this time, and seems to have strange priorities too, given that she was upset at you and the ex H not coming to this twisted party. That's bizarre behaviour right there.

Thank God the ex H stopped the kids from being taken to the US.

LicoricePizza · 25/05/2022 18:57

Wow your nieces & nephew are so lucky to have you. And it must be a huge worry & take your focus away from your own too at times.

I don’t agree with anyone throwing her a leaving do personally. It’s like it’s rewarding despicable behaviour as though she deserves a send off & celebration when what’s she’s doing is abandoning her children who are clearly suffering.
Maybe your mum is so used to being manipulated by her she just agrees to do what she wants for fear of repercussions.

What a terrible situation - you know what’s best to do. Don’t let anyone guilt you into doing otherwise. Sympathies & strength 💐

Carie2 · 25/05/2022 19:00

Your Mum is doing WHAT????

Throwing her a party. That is messed up. I'd never forgive her if I was in your situation.

Gingerkittykat · 25/05/2022 19:12

I wonder if she will need your mum to bail her out of trouble r pay for flights home at some point in the future.

I wouldn't go to the party either!

KettrickenSmiled · 25/05/2022 19:15

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.
Ridiculous.
Sure mum - let's drag your GC to a party top 'celebrate' their mother abandoning them.
Yes mum - I'm really jealous of my sister's parenting choices & narcisistic behaviour traits.

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.
Your mother is the enabler in all this.
Your sister is the Golden Child, & you have just been Scapegoated for refusing to play along with the godawful charade.

Broken spirit, my arse. She wasn't broken when she was doling out tens of thousands to your sister, to buy property while you had no such help - or bailing out her business that went bust. Your mother has made some very questionable decisions with her own parenting.

Sorry OP.
Thank the goddess that you are not like your sister or your mother in your own parenting style, & stick by your BiL. Your nieces know who loves them, & who they can depend on Flowers

DogsAndGin · 25/05/2022 19:20

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.

What comes around goes around. She had a superficially ‘lovely’ life. But money can’t buy everything - she is the same narcissistic, promiscuous, irresponsible girl she always was. Her girls are better off without her.

Maytodecember · 25/05/2022 19:27

YANBU. Your sister has treated her older daughters dreadfully. Those poor kids won’t know if they’re coming or going.
I think your mother is wrong to throw her a party—- what for? Abandoning 2 children?
please encourage their dad to get them professional help ASAP. I think the sooner your sister leaves the better. At least then she can’t do any more harm and hopefully the girls can start to rebuild their lives. Stick with them they need you.

MrsBlaue · 25/05/2022 19:28

How dare she live her life and not think of the effects on others around her…Isn’t that the ideology of the 21st century?

ritsbiscuits · 25/05/2022 19:46

Yes it’s at the point now that she needs to just go. The longer she is here the more pain she is causing her daughter’s.

OP posts:
ritsbiscuits · 25/05/2022 19:51

I have my own worries about the little one as well going to America with her but I can’t do anything about that

OP posts:
SonicHg · 25/05/2022 19:57

I’ve cut my toxic narcissistic sister out too and won’t look back. She’s been trying to Look for a wealthy guy to marry and I’m hoping someone doesn’t fall into her trap.

Isonthecase · 25/05/2022 19:57

I don't think I'd like her very much after that kind of behaviour. Definite golden child syndrome too.

Please make sure you get the daughters some professional help in processing this, they need to know that it's not their fault and really believe it. These feelings have a funny way of surfacing later if not dealt with properly.

ritsbiscuits · 25/05/2022 20:00

She’s got this stupid idea of going and living the American dream as a housewife. She genuinely is deluded. Her husband is in a minimum wage job and I suspect he financially wanted to benefit from HER as he knew she had equity on a house in the UK. Her older kids don’t fit in with this imaginary American life so they get dumped. She is going to be skint.

OP posts:
ritsbiscuits · 25/05/2022 20:04

Her and her ex husband never got round to selling the home they bought together and she’s stayed there. But she’s now talking of selling it and splitting 50/50. I think he’ll be glad to be rid of the house. I don’t know how far it’ll get her in the USA though.

OP posts:
ivfscared · 25/05/2022 20:04

100% disown. My sister is a narcissist too (actually diagnosed by a professional!), best decision I've ever made is going no contact.

However, the trauma from narcissistic abuse is not an easy one to get past - that takes a long, long time as it goes so deep!

All the best x

Zemw · 25/05/2022 20:15

My ex did this (America, left the children to move there etc). 6 years later kids are okay.

Just be there for the ex and nieces.

Howabsolutelyfanfuckingtastic · 25/05/2022 20:33

I have personal experience of a sister who is uncaring to her children and doesn't want to bother with them. She only thinks of herself and that's why her children are all dotted around and none live wuth her anymore. It's cruel and that's the main thing that upsets me from your post, it truly is heartbreaking for the children. I can totally understand why her behaviour towards her girls makes you feel like you hate her, it's so difficult when you have someone like that in your family. It really does tear the family apart and cause rifts between parents, siblings etc. If only people like that couldn't have children, life is so unfair as there's so many people that would do anything to be a parent but for whatever reason can't and then there's idiots like that who have children but can't be bothered with them. I'm sure the girls will really need and appreciate your support over the coming months. It's great you're offering to help and support them and their dad. With regards to your sister, that's really up to you but i think many people wouldn't judge you if you did disown her. Good luck with everything 💐

bozzabollix · 25/05/2022 20:39

My sister has done stuff I’m deeply upset about but woah, your sister wins the bitch competition!

My parents enable my sister, always have, they say it’s because she’s needier than me, so I know that feeling of being the strong reliable one they never need worry about whilst they run around after the other. It’s makes you slightly resentful, brings back that childish jealousy, but at the same time being glad you’re not the one making daft decisions and messing up your life.

I think that’s all you can take from this, detaching yourself slightly from your Mum’s really silly decisions and seeing that you’re at least not the mess the rest of your family is.

Its tough though, as you say, she will be back aghast at why it all went wrong when there were many a red flag she’s ignoring, and she will have lost those girls. It’s tragic that people can be that stupid.

daretodenim · 25/05/2022 20:52

The pain of being completely rejected by your mother is unlike any other. It goes to the foundations of your self worth.

I think there needs to be a discussion with the children - with a therapist or someone similar - to explain that their mother is I'll with an illness that makes her brain unable to ripely think about other people. It doesn't matter that she's not gif a diagnosis, the point is to do as much as possible to put a gap between being abandoned by their mother and then believing they're not good enough. Of course, they'll likely feel that way anyway until/unless they have significant therapy, but anything that can put any kind of chink in that thinking ca help a little, and that little bit is incredibly important. It's also important because without any doubt she will be back and fuck the girls around emotionally. A story they can hold on to to buffer themselves will help. It's worth discussing this openly with their father, because any pro activity in this area can help.

My father disappeared abroad when I was a kid, making clear another child was worth more than me and I know of a family where the mother left with a hand sibling abroad and the kids left behind have never recovered. This is not something you just get over.

As for cutting her off, definitely. Absolutely definitely. No question.

I had to read the bit about the party multiple times to believe what I was reading. Fuck me. Your DM needs to focus on her DGC who are being abandoned by their mother and not celebrate their abandonment!! DEFINITELY don't go.

daretodenim · 25/05/2022 20:52

*properly not ripley..and the other typos!

TabithaTittlemouse · 25/05/2022 20:58

Up until the bit about buggering off to America I thought that you were jealous but I’m with you!

She will be back and she will mess with those little girls heads.

BritWifeInUSA · 25/05/2022 21:00

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.

A CR-1/IR-1 is the easiest visa to get. I met my American husband whilst still legally married to my first husband (a British man) although not living in the same town. We were married 3 months after my divorce was finalized. The London embassy (I assume the sister is from the UK) doesn’t require much in terms of evidence of a bona fide marriage. I took a couple of photos of us, some text messages and some boarding passes to my interview. They didn’t even make it out of my bag. Approved within 5 minutes.

The affidavit of support is the biggie.

BritWifeInUSA · 25/05/2022 21:04

ritsbiscuits · 25/05/2022 20:00

She’s got this stupid idea of going and living the American dream as a housewife. She genuinely is deluded. Her husband is in a minimum wage job and I suspect he financially wanted to benefit from HER as he knew she had equity on a house in the UK. Her older kids don’t fit in with this imaginary American life so they get dumped. She is going to be skint.

A minimum wage job in Florida is unlikely to meet the requirements for the affidavit of support and definitely won’t if he has other children to support. So it’s likely they will need someone to joint sponsor.

She sounds very unhappy with her life and she’s going to realise that living in Florida is nothing like a holiday at Disney World. She’s fantasizing. Such a shame that two children are being so hurt by he let desperation to find something that doesn’t exist.