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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

No future relationship with my sister

9 replies

Emm220884 · 09/03/2025 15:23

Please give me some advice on this on?
I made the decision to call my sister on Thursday and let her know how disgustingly she has treated my Mum and that my relationship with her is over.

For context, my nephew (17 at the time, 18 now) moved into my mums last year after a series of fall outs with his mum (my sister). I supported my mum and nephew, as my mum lives alone. I witnessed the distress that my mum was put through and the constant bombardment my sister gave.
Per my mums wishes I kept quiet. Even when my nephew avoided going home to my Mums because he knew he was being collected and taken back to his own home. I supported, found him, talked to him and returned him (Dec 24)
Thursday this week, my nephew asked my son to meet him to play pool. When my son collected him he asked to be taken to my mums. He was suicidal. We got him settled and chatted about what our next steps were, he let us know he didn't want to return home and that he wanted to stay with my Mum. My mum let my sister know he was safe and that he would be staying with her.

I called her to let her know I'd spoken to him and that he had explained how he was feeling. She lost her temper and claimed that I hadn't helped her, when despite not having a relationship with her, I'd spent 3hours at my mums with her prior it him moving in last October for 2 months. None of my suggestions had been tried and were all instantly dismissed.
She then went on to tell me that my niece felt that I should have been in contact with her, again something that I have never done in the past.

I told her that she wouldn't treat my mum the way she did previously and that speaking to us like her staff I totally unacceptable. Our relationship was done and there would be no conversation between us in future. If the children needed us, we'd be there for them, but that I was done.

This has all been turned back on me and my mum's been told I spoke on behalf of everyone. That I didn't address her (and her only) I addressed them collectively.
She's now blaming me for causing her daughter upset and is now having to go to the school tomorrow to let them know how terrible I am.
I know some people cannot accept any criticism or the truth. But when your 18 year old son is suicidal and drinking, surely you should do something other than try and tell the school (because his gf reported it to the safeguarding lead) that it's their fault for not picking out he was behind with his work. School, friends and the rest of her family, including my brother in laws parents, have never been told that my nephew had previously moved in with my mum. It is supposed to stay within the family and should not be discussed with anyone.

We have found out that for the last 3 weeks he has been asking to be taken to my mums, he has been told that if he wants to go he needs to get there with his belongings himself. He normally puts on a very brave face, but his ability to do this has gone. He is very down, potentially suffering with depression, but sees his only exit is to complete his A levels and get to a Uni as far away as possible.

Please help out a very exhausted Auntie, that wishes she had a magic wand, but knows it's not that easy. What would you do, how would you manage this?

Xx

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Modernskylines · 09/03/2025 15:25

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Modernskylines · 09/03/2025 15:26

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ExtraOnions · 09/03/2025 15:36

Your sister has a suicidal 18 year old son … I think the last thing she needed was you ringing to stick the boot in.

Having dealt with a teenager struggling with thier mental health, I can tell you it’s exhausting, and you already feel like a failure… and sound hours wondering what you did wrong.

Also be aware that what your nephew is telling you, might not be the full truth of the matter.

You say she should be doing more, what do you suggest ? Do you know how hard it is to get Mental Health support. The Pastoral Support at school might be exactly the right people to talk to.

Families need to be supporting each other…and you need to wind your neck in.

Whoonearthareyou · 09/03/2025 15:40

Without knowing what is going on between your sister and nephew it's hard to say what you should do. Have you done anything to help your sister and her son rebuild their relationship?

arcticpandas · 09/03/2025 15:56

I think you just need to withdraw since you can't contribute with any practical/emotional help to your sister or your nephew.

AlmosttimeforChristmas · 09/03/2025 17:57

I think you all need the professional help of a systemic family therapist tbh. There’s a heck of a lot going on here

Schoolchoicesucks · 09/03/2025 18:05

If your nephew is safe and well at your mum's and your mum is happy to have him there then you should probably stay well out of it now.

None of us know why your nephew moved in with your mum previously or why he went back to your sister's.

So none of us can "take your side" or tell you what to say to her since you have already told her you are "done with her".

Support your mum if she needs it - she probably will as looking after a suicidal teen will be a lot. Suggest that the nephew talks to school to see what they can help with too.

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