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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To wonder whether it’s me

22 replies

fruitscran · 03/04/2023 16:39

I have a sister who behaves unkindly towards me and DH by extension. She has accused me over the years of not being there enough for her but moves the goalposts each time, here’s an example: she invited me to pilates two weeks ago but I couldn’t make it due to picking up some overtime to help out at work. I suggested a coffee at hers for her convenience the day after but she declined and said she didn’t deserve to be treated the way I treat her and asked me for space. I immediately apologised but explained I was confused and she said the reason was because I’m not present enough and she deserves people who make an effort to see her. I then gave her the space she asked for and now she is telling everyone she feels rejected and upset that I don’t care about her and am missing out on so much of her baby’s life by never coming around. But she asked me to stay away?!

She’s a SAHM to her lovely first baby born nearly four months ago now. This pattern has been ongoing probably for over a year now, long before the baby. I’m not enough for her and she needs more out of our relationship but also refuses to come up with her own suggestions. FWIW she has lots of friends and two SIL who could go with her, one only lives five mins away and also doesn’t work, but she just seems to want a lot from me

I am wondering if we legitimately have crossed wires or if it sounds a bit more deliberate than that, to a total outsider?

OP posts:
Fairyliz · 03/04/2023 16:41

She sounds bonkers to me as a complete outsider, I would keep away.

Bunnyhascovidnoteggs · 03/04/2023 16:43

Is she in a relationship? is she annoyed you haven't noticed it's a bad one? Annoyed her dc isn't The Light Of Your Life as he is hers?
PND?
Lack of sleep? (does strange things to a person)
Or just a petulant madam? Any of the above aren't about you being in the wrong op.
Leave her to it would be my go to answer..

Purplecatshopaholic · 03/04/2023 16:47

She sounds bonkers. Life’s too short to walk on eggshells around people who keep changing the goalposts. I would be seeing her a lot less…

fruitscran · 03/04/2023 16:58

Bunnyhascovidnoteggs · 03/04/2023 16:43

Is she in a relationship? is she annoyed you haven't noticed it's a bad one? Annoyed her dc isn't The Light Of Your Life as he is hers?
PND?
Lack of sleep? (does strange things to a person)
Or just a petulant madam? Any of the above aren't about you being in the wrong op.
Leave her to it would be my go to answer..

Seems outwardly to have a very happy and fortunate life

OP posts:
WeAreAllLionesses · 03/04/2023 17:00

Sounds like a typical sibling relationship - had similar with my sibling...

ThatshallotBaby · 03/04/2023 17:04

It’s not you, definitely. If she’s being unkind to you and your dh I would limit contact tbh.

fruitscran · 03/04/2023 17:24

WeAreAllLionesses · 03/04/2023 17:00

Sounds like a typical sibling relationship - had similar with my sibling...

I’m sorry to hear that. It feels rubbish!

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FullBloom · 03/04/2023 17:26

She sounds crackers.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 03/04/2023 17:28

She sounds like my sister; nothing is ever enough. (My sister is a narcissist by the way.)

fruitscran · 03/04/2023 18:02

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 03/04/2023 17:28

She sounds like my sister; nothing is ever enough. (My sister is a narcissist by the way.)

How best do you deal with it? I’ve wondered about NPD with her but also wondered if it might be a touch of EUPD(BPD)?

OP posts:
fruitscran · 03/04/2023 18:16

ThatshallotBaby · 03/04/2023 17:04

It’s not you, definitely. If she’s being unkind to you and your dh I would limit contact tbh.

I think I will I just feel bad for not seeing the baby

OP posts:
SeeWhatYouGetWhenYouAskAStupidQuestion · 03/04/2023 18:18

Has she got depression?

ThatshallotBaby · 03/04/2023 18:20

@fruitscran
It’s not easy. Can you talk to your mum about her?
What does your dh say?
Could you manage to maintain low contact so you still see the baby?

fruitscran · 03/04/2023 19:45

@SeeWhatYouGetWhenYouAskAStupidQuestion not sure. I never considered this. I don’t know how I’d best help her?

OP posts:
fruitscran · 03/04/2023 19:48

@ThatshallotBaby my mum sees it but doesn’t know how to manage it. DH doesn’t like her and thinks she’s manipulative towards me but is amicable and polite to her

OP posts:
ThatshallotBaby · 03/04/2023 19:52

Could you talk to her with as much honesty as you can?
So hard for you.

BoopK · 03/04/2023 19:57

Did you drop pilates plans last minute and pick up extra shift, do you let her down often? It sounds like she wants to feel more important to you.

It can feel isolating with a small baby.

PennyForearm · 03/04/2023 20:00

How much notice did you give her a for dropping her for the planned pilates class? Do you cancel planned meet ups and let her down often?

fruitscran · 03/04/2023 20:05

@BoopK @PennyForearm class was Tuesday cancelled the Saturday before and she does have a friend she sometimes goes with too. No I don’t usually cancel! I am worried about her feeling isolated

OP posts:
fruitscran · 03/04/2023 20:29

I don’t want her to feel isolated but don’t know what more I can do really

OP posts:
fruitscran · 04/04/2023 10:11

Purplecatshopaholic · 03/04/2023 16:47

She sounds bonkers. Life’s too short to walk on eggshells around people who keep changing the goalposts. I would be seeing her a lot less…

This is what DH and my best friend have also said but then on the other hand I can’t rest wondering if she is struggling and genuinely thinks I don’t care about her

OP posts:
fruitscran · 04/04/2023 16:02

@Purplecatshopaholic @Fairyliz oops sorry I missed you two off when I was replying - thank you I think sometimes I’m a bit blinkered because I don’t want her to feel as if she’s on her own, but it does have a toll on me at some point.

OP posts:
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