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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to be so upset with my mum (and sister)? (Talk me off a ledge!)

48 replies

PlentyOfBiscuitsWithTea · 12/03/2024 11:20

Some backstory: Growing up my mum and I didn't have a fantastic relationship. I think diagnosing with today's terms she is a bit of a narcissist. We argued a lot - I was a fairly standard emotional teen, and I didn't feel she ever prioritised me. I have a sister 18 months younger than me and I always felt she favoured her, although my sister today does complain mum was a crap parent. As kids my sister complains she was in my shadow as I was outgoing, she was shy.

In our university years (our parents really wanted us to go - we are first generation university) my sister and I started at the same time (I took a gap year) and the adage "it's always the quiet ones" is true as my sister ended up dropping out of uni secretly, stashing our parents' cash, went to Ibiza with a MUCH older man (older than our parents), then having a baby with him. She's 18 today! My sister eventually ended up moving back in with my parents when that went south, then went on to a local university. She met another guy, ran away and got married and fell pregnant again before the end of this degree, although she did stumble through and complete this time. He was the same age as her but followed a very strict orthodox religion, which she converted to for a while, today neither of them practise.

My sister didn't get a job after university - the religion her and her husband followed is very traditional. She had more children - she went through some horrible miscarriages too, she did not have it easy. However, her husband is a bit of a child and has never worked for anyone else and is always jumping from one business of his own to the next and they are routinely in serious financial difficulty. Always being bailed out by his parents or mine. My sister has had to return to work recently (in a trade) and is doing really well for herself - it doesn't support a whole family though.

My mum and my sister have a very close relationship as adults. My sister and her three kids go there every week as her current job allows. I did when I was on maternity leave and a career break for a couple of years but I now work in a very intense job and I can't. When were the three of us I can't stand the dynamic - we've regularly gone on holidays all together and I just hate myself when I'm with them, and how it makes me feel. My sister reverts back to a child and baits me into competitions. Both my mum and sister have disordered eating and they competitively undereat. I am overweight but more mentally happy with my appearance but I feel horrendous when I am with them. As an example a couple of weeks ago I went to my daughters dancing show and invited my mum and sister and afterwards my mum laughed cruelly at an overweight teenager in one of the dances "no one told her dancing really isn't for her", it was truly awful, but my sister and her enable each other she would never have said her thoughts out loud if it was just her and I. My mum feels awful for my sisters situation (financial) and is worried for her all the time. On the other hand, she makes comments about my job (I am in a very senior role and earn well) "why do you work so hard" ... "why do you have a nanny"... etc, she worries so much about my sister's lack of security but can't be happy for mine. I try and talk to her about things and she is so disinterested she just cannot engage, so if I confide any work stress with her she tells me I am "ridiculous" for staying in the job, she'd just walk out. My mum has been quite stressed recently due to complications with the sale of my deceased nan's flat and I have listened to every concern she has over it.

Fast forward to today and my AIBU...

I booked for my mum and I to go for a fancy afternoon tea to celebrate Mother's Day (a week later). I didn't invite my sister for two reasons - a) it's not something she could afford right now and it would make her feel crap she couldn't come and b) it would be nice to have some 1:1 time with my mum. My mum recently when I followed up asking if all still good for this Sunday said "is <sister> coming? I tried to persuade her" I said I hadn't asked her as didn't think she could afford and she said "dad and I gave her some money for <some family task> and told her she had to spend it on treating herself." Then this morning my sister text saying "Mum keeps asking me to come on Sunday, is there room to add me on".

I'm so upset my mum can't imagine just her and I doing something and now it has to be the pity party for my sister's bad life choices all day! And I will probably be picking up the bill, too. Her and my sister do things the two of them frequently / I've always felt a bit smarted every time I hear they've gone Xmas shopping for a day, or a garden Center or something. They've never once invited me. So why is my mum begging my sister to come on a day out that I had arranged with her?

OP posts:
OolongTeaDrinker · 12/03/2024 13:47

I think as it is specifically a mother's day celebration, I can see why your mum wants your sister there too - if it was just a random day out then, I would be miffed to have to invite her along. Having said that though, in your shoes I wouldn't want to spend any time with either of them, especially as you are expected to pick up the tab, so I would just cancel. If you are not up to telling them the real reason why, just 'develop' D&V the day before and they can go just the two of them and pay for themselves..

moonfacer · 12/03/2024 14:31

stayathomer · 12/03/2024 12:12

Maybe her mother sees it as an occasion to get the family together?

It's very rude to invite other people without checking with OP first, especially as OP was going to pay for her mum, and also OP's guess that she will be expected to pay for her sister as well.

And as @Notonthestairs says, funny how when mum and sis organised to meet, they never saw those times as opportunities to invite OP and have a family get together.

Gymnopedie · 12/03/2024 14:50

The reason the mum wants OP's sister there is nothing to do with it being related to Mothers' Day. It's because she can't bear for OP to have something the sister doesn't. Any day of the year.

OP I'm with others here. For your own sanity and happiness you need to step back and leave them to it. And never go on holiday with them again.

Perhaps what you'd like is to have a better relationship with your mum in your own right and you keep hoping that one day it will happen. I'm sorry, but it won't. Mum and sis are too enmeshed and they don't have room for you. Let them go.

Mummame222 · 12/03/2024 15:00

I think diagnosing with today's terms she is a bit of a narcissist.

narcissist is a very over used term, there’s no such thing as a bit of a narcissist but I’d gather what you are trying to say is she was very self centred and self absorbed?

I’m curious as to why you are trying so hard to gain the love and affection of a woman you don’t really like? Your Mum and sister are close because they are very similar people. You’re not. In my opinion you’re much kinder the them, much more self sufficient and much happier. Having a close relationship with your Mum would mean being much more like her, and really, I’m sensing that’s not what you actually want?

We all idealise this perfect relationship with parents - we see it so often even in our own family. This is something I’ve had to come to terms with myself. My Mum and I are not close and today I’m ok with that. If she wasn’t my Mum, she wouldn’t be my friend. We are very different people and it is what it is. I would have loved a Mum I’m close to and adore, it’s just never going to be on the cards for me and I had to work on accepting that. She tries to worm her way in and feel needed again when I’m feeling independent (because she needs to feel needed and wanted - not because she actually likes me) but I don’t fall for it any more. We are LC on my terms and I honestly believe we are all much happier for it.

moonfacer · 12/03/2024 15:02

Your Mum and sister are close because they are very similar people. You’re not. In my opinion you’re much kinder the them, much more self sufficient and much happier. Having a close relationship with your Mum would mean being much more like her, and really, I’m sensing that’s not what you actually want?

Well said.

SadlyACupOfTeaDoesNotSolveEverything · 12/03/2024 15:13

@PlentyOfBiscuitsWithTea seems to have delayed the treat specifically to allow her sister free reign on Mother’s Day itself. Also the mum and sister clearly have no qualms doing things without the OP.

I wouldn’t put myself through this time and again. Forge a healthier lifestyle for yourself and show your own DC by example.

Brefugee · 12/03/2024 15:17

pickledandpuzzled · 12/03/2024 11:25

Not unreasonable.

I’d message your mum and sister separately, saying you’d thought it would be a great opportunity to spend some quality time together.
If they still push to go, gracefully leave them to it. Don’t go.

Agree with this. Just tell your mum that you wanted some one-on-one time with her and because that won't be happening this weekend if your sister comes - that you'll cancel Sunday and want to know when she would be free for a one-on-one with you.

Take your cue from her. But don't get your hopes up.

Beautiful3 · 12/03/2024 16:59

I'm really sorry to say that it sounds like, your mum and sister really get on. I don't think your mum likes spending time with you alone. Could you cancel it? Spend more time with others. By the way my mother preferred my sister too, spent more time with her and never wanted to do anything with me. I was always asking and being rejected. One day the penny just dropped and I stopped asking.

Allshallbewell2021 · 12/03/2024 17:06

pickledandpuzzled · 12/03/2024 11:25

Not unreasonable.

I’d message your mum and sister separately, saying you’d thought it would be a great opportunity to spend some quality time together.
If they still push to go, gracefully leave them to it. Don’t go.

100% what pickled&puzzled said.

Classic parent acting like a child.

You need to make clear boundaries for yourself and don't overexpose yourself to these dynamics until they don't hurt you.

I wouldn't invite them to a dc's show again.

Boomer55 · 12/03/2024 17:08

MsFaversham · 12/03/2024 11:55

I wouldn’t dream of not inviting one of my siblings on a mother’s day treat if they were physically able to get there. If my sister couldn’t afford a posh tea then I’d arrange something inexpensive.

Yes, a Mother’s Day treat would normally involve both siblings. 🙄

Notonthestairs · 12/03/2024 17:19

Mothers Days treats probably would include both siblings if they had a good relationship. Things differ when one party feels ganged up on.

BeretRaspberry · 12/03/2024 17:31

I agree with pps…you’re never going to get what you want from your mum sadly. I haven’t got siblings with my biological father but he was very selfish and I felt like I made all the contact and effort. I eventually went NC and what a relief it’s been. Don’t get me wrong, it still, after 16 years of NC, hurts at times that I wasn’t ‘good enough’ for him to want to be in my life..but overall it’s been a total relief.

I don’t agree that both siblings should be there for a mother’s day treat either, regardless of whether it was actually on MD or another time like OP’s plans. My MIL stayed over at my SIL’s house on Saturday night and they had a big roast dinner on Sunday, then we picked her up to take her home and went round for tea and cake. Sometimes we will do things together for celebrations but it’s not essential.

If I were you, I’d do as suggested and say to your mum you were looking forward to some 1:1 time with her but if that’s not what she wants then leave her and your sister to it. Then consider going LC or NC. It’s hard in some ways but easier in others and at least it’s you calling the shots.

PlentyOfBiscuitsWithTea · 12/03/2024 18:08

Thanks for all the replies, I've taken a lot on board, the good the bad and the scathing!!

To clear up a few things -

This wasn't for Mother's Day itself, but my Mother's Day "gift" as such. I do take on board that my mum might have wanted to spend it with us both which is where this comes from.

On Mother's Day itself I'm not sure what she did, I just sent a text.

I also didn't mean to paint my sister as awful in the backstory, which I felt I needed to relay to explain the dynamic. My sister and I separately actually have a good relationship! We're quite different but get on really well, and our kids are similar ages and adore each other. Its probably harsh to say bad choices, although true, because life isn't as easy as tick all the right boxes and it will all work out. Our relationship is why we've holidayed all together because my sister's family and my family regularly went away then my parents joined in. The dynamic changes when my mum is around. My sister doesn't necessarily think the same as my mum, she just seems to enable the parts of my mum's personality I don't like. Like I'm sure my sister would NEVER have said that about the child in my daughter's show but my mum thinks she will agree and so feels enabled? I think she has own warped relationship where she is in submission to my mum.

For those saying I don't like my mum, you may be right in many ways - there are aspects of her personality I just can't abide. But also, when she's not being that way she is fun and we can get on, and I really WANT to get on, especially when she is sort of forced to think how to engage with me (sounds ridiculous, but hope you know what I mean!), which is why I'm doubly annoyed about the dynamic changing this weekend.

I sort of am low contact with her anyway exactly because of all the above and how I feel when I'm with her, and the fact I have a very full and busy life.

I couldn't bear making my sister feel shitty so I am not going to say anything, have opened up to 3 spots and will instead perform an anthropological experiment where I observe what happens as detached as possible and see how I want to play it next. (Maybe I'll report back here!!)

OP posts:
PlentyOfBiscuitsWithTea · 12/03/2024 18:09

Oh and also - I didn't invite my sister because it wasn't for Mother's Day proper and because there is loads of previous she has of spending 1:1 time with my mum.
Take on board that could be seen as shitty from my sister's POV and I wasn't really thinking about her when I made the decision.

OP posts:
Milkandnosugarplease · 12/03/2024 18:12

If sister is coming tell her she has to pay

Deebee90 · 12/03/2024 18:19

You have not done anything wrong . You want 1 on 1 time with your mum and you have the right to that. It’s not Mother’s Day anymore so your sister isn’t automatically invited. Tell your mum you wanted it to be her and you . You should understand

Luddite26 · 12/03/2024 19:01

Good luck and see how you go when you are observing and not a participant.

Newestname002 · 12/03/2024 20:37

@PlentyOfBiscuitsWithTea

So what's happening with the family holiday this year?

  • Are you going with just your own family?
  • Are your family going with your sister and her family?
  • And will your mother come? Because if she is, you know how that will work out, based on previous experience 🌹
PlentyOfBiscuitsWithTea · 12/03/2024 21:50

@Newestname002

Were actually going on a big holiday this year in a villa for a week celebrating some big birthdays. I'm hoping everyone is on good form!
I do think the relationships are salvageable, I do adore my sister, and love my parents, and my DH and DCs will be there diffusing any situations for me!

OP posts:
PlentyOfBiscuitsWithTea · 12/03/2024 21:56

@ToastyToes101

"What is your kids' relationship like with her compared to your sister's kids? Does she favour her kids over yours too?"

My mum loves her grandchildren equally I think, I don't feel she prioritises my sister's over mine. It's true she's not the world's most doting grandparent in terms of falling over herself to look after them, but my mum still works so doesn't have oodles of time to fill, and tbh I do respect that a grandparent's role isn't free childcare!

I'm sure if I told my mum she would be horrified she'd made me feel like this, but this morning I was just so upset that she behaves like this - whether consciously or not. I'm feeling a bit more emotionally secure about it this evening.

OP posts:
moonfacer · 13/03/2024 05:59

PlentyOfBiscuitsWithTea · 12/03/2024 21:50

@Newestname002

Were actually going on a big holiday this year in a villa for a week celebrating some big birthdays. I'm hoping everyone is on good form!
I do think the relationships are salvageable, I do adore my sister, and love my parents, and my DH and DCs will be there diffusing any situations for me!

I don’t understand why you’re going away with your mum and sister when you ‘hate’ yourself when you’re on holiday with them and you describe the holiday experiences as ‘truly awful’?

This seems a very strange dynamic, you all seem enmeshed to a very unhealthy level.

user1471465748 · 20/03/2024 20:16

Well OP, how did the afternoon tea go?

HoHoHoliday · 20/03/2024 20:49

The way you describe this all, you sound really passive in the relationships, I wonder why you never stand up for yourself?

With this specific incident, the problem is easily solved by simply saying no. You say no to your sister, it's not possible to add you to the booking. You say no to your mum, you are not inviting your sister as you wanted to spend the afternoon together just the two of you.

In general, you're implying that your mum favours your sister within the family. Perhaps that's true. Or perhaps your mum just relates to your sister's life more than your's. You won't change things either way. You can only accept people how they are. Limit the time you spend with them together if you know they feed off each other and that will trigger you.

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