Anyone got a relative like this? We always got on like a house on fire growing up…..
During family occasions nobody is allowed to talk about their achievements, monotonous things, day-to-day activities: she will but in over the top of you with something more important happening in her life. Speaks over you in fact. The entire family’s focus had to be her engagement, then her house, her wedding and now pregnancy with no pauses in between. I appreciate how exciting these things are but nobody else gets a word in edgeways. If anyone changes the subject it’s swiftly brought back to what she was talking about. Originally I thought ‘oh well maybe she doesn’t realise, she’s just excited about her life and where’s the issue’ but it seems she does, as she is constantly scanning around for peoples reactions to her conversation. Anybody who doesn’t agree with her, make the right noises or nod is snubbed. She has turned away from friends because they held a different opinion to her and will always find reason to blame them for the reason they’re no longer friends. Seems to see them as a threat. She is positive and always used to be confident- why on earth brag? I am elated for all positive things in her life but she cannot bear to hear about anything going on in my life without countering it with something in hers. Me and my partner are quieter people and humble by nature but in being so feel a bit insignificant in the wider family dynamic, on my side of the family
One of my parents made a joke implying she dominates conversations to me in private, though presumably never told her themselves. My parents are very loving generous people, their dog passed away recently about the time my sister got hers and every week they look after her dog for a few nights when she wants to go away or do something. They would walk ten miles for a stranger, but it occurred to me that they are possibly not assertive enough to say they don’t want to sacrifice their time constantly. They are avid travellers so I can see how it would prohibit them, they are not getting another puppy for this reason alone…………
OH’s brother is not like this so times with them feel different altogether and for the better, but I don’t want to favour one side of the family over the other as that would be lousy going forwards!