Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to say no to my sister?

51 replies

Emmaheather · 10/04/2023 16:46

My mum and I have a weekend together most years, either walking or a city break (which also usually involves quite a lot of walking). We started doing this (at my suggestion) after I had children so we could have some quality time together when I didn't have to think about child care. My sister has recently asked to join us. AIBU to not want her to come?

She has a health condition which affects her mobility (walking for more than 30 minutes would be difficult) and she also needs easy access to a loo as she needs to go often/urgently. This obviously majorly impacts on what we can do. In addition, I really enjoy my time alone with my mum. We are very close and have a relaxed/enjoyable time together. My sister is often quite stressed and can also be quite prickly (e.g. gets frustrated if I offer help or ask what adjustments are needed, but also gets frustrated if the situation is unmanageable for her) so I find it hard to relax or know what to do.

For background, my parents joined a holiday with my family (DH, DS1 and DS2) a few years ago. My sister asked to join but I said no because it felt too much to ask of my DH. Also (although I didn't say this) she'd had a major falling out with my dad a few months before and I couldn't face this happening again on my holiday. She was very upset and hurt by me saying she couldn't join us - she felt I had treated her very badly and had said no because of her health condition, which she felt was unacceptable. She had a go at me on several occasions over the next few years about it. It would have been difficult to juggle everyone's needs and my whole time would have been spent thinking about everyone else - I'd have come home drained! My parents never asked to come on holiday with me again after the stress it caused which I feel very sad about.

Is it ok to say no to the recent request or AIBU and should I give up my time individual time with my mum? If I say no, what reasons is it acceptable to give? Is it my responsibility to some up with a different suggestion of something to do?

OP posts:
MoserRothOrangeandAlmond · 10/04/2023 20:05

Just say no, that you want to spend one on one time with your Mam.
And that you would be happy to do something with all three of you at a different time when she organises it.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page