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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Sister lies about how much help our parents give her

203 replies

horseyhorsey17 · 27/02/2023 11:03

It's not so much an AIBU as a WWYD in my position. Me and my sister are both single mums with two kids. She lives near my parents, I don't. I work full time, she's never held down a job for more than six weeks in her life. University educated, clever, attractive, personable - but there's always a reason why she quits the job and then has a few months off. Last time it was because her boss was a paedo (she didn't have any evidence for this, it was just a 'feeling'.) The upshot of this is that my parents give her a lot of money. They 'loaned' her a lot to buy her house (which they won't get back) and they have to pay her mortgage most months. They don't want to but my mum is a soft touch as far as she's concerned, in fact probably she's the reason why my sister is the way she is. They also do loads of her childcare. I live miles away and don't get any of the same treatment, but I'm not really bothered (that's why I live miles away) but what does bother me is that my sister tries to gaslight me about this. I struggle to speak to her on the phone as it always come back to how hard done by she is, and how terrible mum and dad are, and how they're rich and why don't they give her more money. I just found out yesterday that they bought her a new washing machine as hers packed up. My last conversation with my sister was a couple of days ago and that wasn't mentioned at all. She also says mum and dad don't help with her childcare, but every time I ring them, her kids are at their house. It's just a really weird dynamic. I think she's on the narcissism spectrum and she definitely does try and manipulate people - perhaps unintentionally - but just wondered if anyone could shed light on what is going on here, and what if anything, I should do? I've never said to her 'I know they help you loads, stop lying' because I know it would lead to WW3.

I also worry a lot what's going to happen when my parents die (as they're in their late 70s now) and she becomes my problem! When her kids leave home and she doesn't get those benefit any more, how is she going to finance herself?

OP posts:
stevec711 · 11/03/2023 01:23

It is obvious to me why she never holds a job; she doesn't have to. Your parents make sure she never goes without, no matter what. But rest assured, she is not your responsibility and never will be, unless you choose to let her take advantage of you. (Many times, I've noticed, people do this to "Keep the peace") It's time to make her sink or swim. And don't let her con you into supporting her for the sake of her children.

stevec711 · 11/03/2023 01:26

By the way, why would you "inherit the situation"? What happens if you don't help her?

Tinker95 · 11/03/2023 04:24

I say shut her down and infront of your parents too because they need to see how she's walking all over them and they're enabling her. Call her out. If she still mad, that's her problem not your. You clearly have something to say to her. I think you should say it because you might regret it even more. And yes when your parents aren't around it is going to get worse because then she gonna try to leech off you when spends all your parents give her.

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