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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

What did I do wrong

54 replies

Shaz1980s · 13/04/2023 18:56

My mum died 25 years ago, and I took on the responsibility of looking after my younger sister, at the time I was 24 and my sister was 8 years old. My sister was provided with a nice home, nice holidays, full support with regard to education and it goes without saying, love. My sister is now 33 and has a baby daughter. She is very close to her partner's parents but it's like she doesn't want to accept I was sort of like a parent to her. I pulled her up for some of her behaviours, including the fact I perhaps could have been seen as more than an aunt to her daughter. I wasn't allowed to post photos of her daughter on facebook but her other family members were. We offered to spend Christmas with her and the baby because her partner was working away, we would buy and prepare all the food, then the in-laws were invited and we were told she was stressed about xmas so we said we wouldn't go, next thing prior to Xmas our brother, partner, kids and her inlaws were all round there having a great time. The in-laws not only visited on Xmas day but stayed for two nights. There are many other examples of how she has treated me but she's always there to take the handouts, the new pram etc. I have asked her why she treats me so badly and rather than providing me with an answer she blocked me. this has really impacted me, I am not begging to be in someone's life but surely I deserve an answer. It feels like this is impacting all aspects of my life, after doing so much for so long it's like I don't matter or even exist.

OP posts:
Liorae · 14/04/2023 08:03

Shaz1980s · 13/04/2023 20:03

I take your comments onboard.
From my perspective if I had an issue with someone I wouldn't accept expensive gifts and then behave like she did

Stop the gifts and handouts
She will be in touch when she wants something.

MysteriesOfTheOrganism · 14/04/2023 08:06

You acted as mother during her childhood, so you represent the mother she lost. When she sees you she does not actually see you - she sees the ghost of the mother she didn't have. So she turns to her partner's whole family - and ghosts you. Therapy would help her - but unless she realises there's a problem she's unlikely to seek help. That's pretty devastating for you, but I doubt there's anything you can do to get through to her.

Skankylanky · 14/04/2023 09:15

user1492757084 · 14/04/2023 04:36

Step back and relearn how to be just a sibling.
If the two of you are equal and see each other as equals instead of a mother/child relationship you will get along much better.
She's trying to leave home and make decisions herself. Cut the apron strings. She doesn't want your opinion. Don't give any more expensive gifts.
I would touch base in real and say I was sorry for being over motherly and that you will just be there if ever she needs you.
Over time you might be able to reconnect over monthly coffee. Expect to behave just like your other siblings. You might swap small gifts at birthday and Christmas and offer a suportive phone call every fortnight.
Refrain from giving advice.
It's not her fault that you had to parent her.
If she had had a mother there would be bumpy times while she established her independence.

This is a very good post.

OCDmama · 14/04/2023 18:55

Shaz1980s · 13/04/2023 20:18

I'm ok to step away from her and her new family, I just wanted to know why she felt she needed to treat me the way she has to allow me to move on. I respect her decision to remove me from her family unit. I just wish i knew what I did wrong

Unfortunately the world doesn't work like this. We don't get to demand responses (and you would only hear the answer you've built in your own head).

Bullying her with this question will end things for sure.

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