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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Am I being greedy?

324 replies

Anon2468 · 28/06/2025 06:55

Trying to cut a long story short. My sister has always been a single parent, the 2 different fathers to her children have never been involved and never assisted financially. My parents have taken a parental role with my sisters children but I can understand slightly why to support her with working etc. they bought a 2nd property to rent to her cheaper than the current market value.

i had 2 children with my partner, and he was my support network with life. We never had childcare or family support due to my parents putting all their time into my sister and her children. My children have lost out on a lot of family things due to this and don’t have a close relationship with my family. They’ve never been on days out with grandparents, yet watch their cousins do this all the time.

due to life stresses, myself and my children’s father separated last year. It was amicable break up to begin with but has become extremely toxic over the year when it came down to managing selling the family home etc. we were not married so I was not entitled to anything financially. I don’t think I slept for 4 months wondering how I would afford to put a roof over my children’s heads etc. but, in the end after a lot of work and stress I’ve managed to purchase a shared ownership property.

my parents went to see the property I am purchasing with me this week, being a new build I wanted other eyes! The entire time we were there, my dad was talking to the woman who I have been dealing with the purchase of the property, wondering how he would go about buying one for my sister. this went on for over an hour and I could barely get a word in to discuss my house - I exchanged back in November 2024 so this isn’t a potential purchase… this is my home.

to clarify, my parents have sat down and discussed with me this week they are wanting to give my sister £160,000 to buy the share of the property for her, so she won’t have a mortgage. And then her universal credit payments will cover her rent side. they have made it clear they cannot afford to do the same for me at this time, but my share will be left in the will.

they asked my opinion on this, and I expressed in 30 years time £160K won’t be worth as much. My sister has gained a mortgage free share of a house with rent paid by universal credit, while il be just getting by month by month. However, I also expressed it’s their money and they can do as they wish but as they’ve asked my opinion they can have it.

Deep down it’s not actually about the money. Last year when I was at rock bottom mentally, not one family member offered to help. I have managed everything completely alone financially and mentally. I’ve tried to express its hurt me when I was struggling, no one helped. Yet now “I’ve got my own place, my sister should have one”. I’ve worked all my life and saved and been good with money. My child’s father pays child maintenance - the bare minimum possible - and so he should! And my parents justify I don’t need help because I have my children’s father. My child’s father has run me down completely, reporting me to police, social services etc for no reason - I wouldn’t say he was my support!, but obviously my parents seem to think I’m lucky compared to my sister so I don’t need any help!

its such an awkward thing inheritance and money. I’ve given them my opinion and left it. But they have concluded I’m greedy and disgusting.

I guess while writing this, I now feel I sound awful! But there has always been favouritism in the family which I have grown up with. I’ve never benefited or expected anything, but when it’s constantly justified to me “you don’t need help” when actually last year I was the lowest possible and did need my family … it hurts!

if I was still in a relationship, and financially stable with a partner I completely understand why my parents would feel the need to help my sister more. I am in the same boat as her, but I’ve actually done something to sort my life and not relied on others to hand it to me on a plate so I don’t understand how they feel it’s fair?

am I being a completely spoilt brat in the matter? Or are my feelings of being hurt justified? I feel this is the icing on the cake for me and I need to take a massive step back from my family.

OP posts:
thepariscrimefiles · 28/06/2025 07:36

BIossomtoes · 28/06/2025 07:32

So they’re swapping one house for another? The time to get upset was when they bought the first one, surely?

I think OP's parents own her sister's current house and she pays them greatly reduced rent. They are now going to buy her a new three bedroom house outright so, unlike OP, her sister won't have a mortage.

Anon2468 · 28/06/2025 07:37

sorrynotathome · 28/06/2025 07:21

You give specific instances of where they have refused to help you. Did they say why? Eg the guarantor request - did your Dad say why? At first I thought you might be the strong quiet type that doesn’t ask for help and therefore everyone thinks they’re ok but clearly not. What reasons do they have for not helping you and have you ever really challenged them on this? What does your sister think?

My dad said it’s my child’s father’s responsibility to be a guarantor as it’s his kids who need a house. My dad lacks understanding in a legal perspective my ex has no responsibility to housing me lol. He pays his maintenance and that is that. He’s

in the past when I’ve asked for help, I’ve always been told “you have ex name to help” so I became used to not relying or asking for support from family for childcare or anything. Me and my ex do all childcare during holidays, we both work full time and do 100% school runs, the kids were in nursery full time with no day care provided from grandparents - yes it’s our kids, our responsibility, but when the rest of the family gets help it’s pretty poor!

So asking for help is a big thing for me to do now due to previous rejections. So if anything, it’s more a bigger deal in my head when it’s then refused as it takes a lot for me to ask in the first place.

OP posts:
Alacartemenu · 28/06/2025 07:40

BIossomtoes · 28/06/2025 07:32

So they’re swapping one house for another? The time to get upset was when they bought the first one, surely?

sister will part own the second one, the first was rented out to her cheaply by parents. All of this while op has been at rock bottom needing support herself.

Anon2468 · 28/06/2025 07:46

Chester23 · 28/06/2025 07:19

I dont think you're being greedy at all. How they can help one but not the other I dont know. Especially with the children. They asked you're opinion, you gave it. They shouldn't have asked if they didn't want an answer

But I understand how you're feeling. End of last year my 13 year relationship broke down (luckily no children involved) but my family haven't supported me either. I have a house to pay for on my own now, my brother rents from my dad, also cheaply but my brother also told me he hasn't paid rent for ages and no one is keeping track of what is owed so he just pays so much. No one is helping me with my mortgage, my brother makes more money than me. My dad, brother, their partners and my brothers kids are currently on holiday together, i wasn't invited, in fact I only found out because someone else let my dad down in watering his garden.

Also had same issues as a kid with us and our cousins with grandparents. Believe me, its you're parents that will miss out on the relationship. I have nothing to do with my grandparents now.

Sorry you’ve gone through this. It’s so hurtful how families can be!

its my fear my children will grow up feeling how I do - and I need to put a stop to it all before it’s too late.

OP posts:
dottiedodah · 28/06/2025 07:55

This seems to be such a pattern in families.The nnedy one gets life on a plate.the other one just sorts out life on their own terms. I often feel that parents can't let go of their caring role.i would limit further exchanges and maybe take a friend with you instead. Just see them xmas BD .or something like that .

Alacartemenu · 28/06/2025 07:56

@chester23 please tell me you didn't agree to water your dad's garden?? sorry to hear you family's been such a disappointment

@Anon2468 there's no benefit to your children in having grandparents like these, only hurt as they grow up see the discrepancies in how they are treated differently from their cousins. I would dial the relationship right back.

alexalisten · 28/06/2025 07:58

Although i agree with you on everything else i agree with your dad saying no to being a guarantor i would never be a guarantor for anyone not even my kids

MrsKeats · 28/06/2025 08:00

Newnamesagain · 28/06/2025 07:16

Do they add anything but hurt to your life? I'd take some time to think whether you'd be happier making a clean break and rebuilding your life.

I'm sorry to hear you've got such bad parents. It's not your fault.

In a nutshell.

Anon2468 · 28/06/2025 08:00

BIossomtoes · 28/06/2025 07:32

So they’re swapping one house for another? The time to get upset was when they bought the first one, surely?

My parents own the current house my sister lives in, but they are going to gift her £160K and the new house will then be in my sisters sole name.

i was in a relationship and financially stable when they purchased the house to rent to my sister so I wasn’t “in need” and i didn’t let it bother me.

the last year I’ve needed my family with no response. Yet now I have my “own” place, they feel my sister should have her own.

it’s all very strange and I’m glad I’m not being a complete and utter spoilt brat with my opinions 🤣.

OP posts:
BusWankers · 28/06/2025 08:00

Anon2468 · 28/06/2025 08:00

My parents own the current house my sister lives in, but they are going to gift her £160K and the new house will then be in my sisters sole name.

i was in a relationship and financially stable when they purchased the house to rent to my sister so I wasn’t “in need” and i didn’t let it bother me.

the last year I’ve needed my family with no response. Yet now I have my “own” place, they feel my sister should have her own.

it’s all very strange and I’m glad I’m not being a complete and utter spoilt brat with my opinions 🤣.

If they're giving her the £160k it will DEFINITELY affect her benefits.

AvidJadeShaker · 28/06/2025 08:01

alexalisten · 28/06/2025 07:58

Although i agree with you on everything else i agree with your dad saying no to being a guarantor i would never be a guarantor for anyone not even my kids

Are your DC planning on going to university?

BIossomtoes · 28/06/2025 08:01

BusWankers · 28/06/2025 08:00

If they're giving her the £160k it will DEFINITELY affect her benefits.

They’re not giving it to her, they’re investing it in a house. Which they’re very foolishly putting in her name.

Chester23 · 28/06/2025 08:01

Alacartemenu · 28/06/2025 07:56

@chester23 please tell me you didn't agree to water your dad's garden?? sorry to hear you family's been such a disappointment

@Anon2468 there's no benefit to your children in having grandparents like these, only hurt as they grow up see the discrepancies in how they are treated differently from their cousins. I would dial the relationship right back.

I just replied with ok but you'll be happy to know i didn't go every day and "unfortunately" my dads lillys don't look to healthy 😂 the excuse I was given was his friend could no longer go because he has to work... I work and have had overtime every day. My dad's friends lives literally on the same street too.

Anon2468 · 28/06/2025 08:03

alexalisten · 28/06/2025 07:58

Although i agree with you on everything else i agree with your dad saying no to being a guarantor i would never be a guarantor for anyone not even my kids

I deep down agree on this (but I also know he wouldn’t ever be affected by a gurantor status as I’m sensible with money). But if you do anything possible for one, surely refusing help to the other is going to cause a rift? He’s technically taken a chance on my sister knowing she’s bad with money renting a current place out to her with risk of her not paying rent… but can’t be a guarantor to another daughter who is good with money? I see no difference.

OP posts:
Chester23 · 28/06/2025 08:06

Anon2468 · 28/06/2025 07:46

Sorry you’ve gone through this. It’s so hurtful how families can be!

its my fear my children will grow up feeling how I do - and I need to put a stop to it all before it’s too late.

Just remember you won't treat your children the same way you're parents have you. Your children have you! I would honestly keep a distance, do what you need to do for yourself and your children.

Anon2468 · 28/06/2025 08:06

Chester23 · 28/06/2025 08:01

I just replied with ok but you'll be happy to know i didn't go every day and "unfortunately" my dads lillys don't look to healthy 😂 the excuse I was given was his friend could no longer go because he has to work... I work and have had overtime every day. My dad's friends lives literally on the same street too.

my parents did this to me 2 years ago 🤣.

they took my sisters kids away on holiday, and then asked me to water their garden. I asked them why can’t sister do it seeing as she’s only working part time, and is having a child free week so she is the one benefiting?!

I refused and they then asked their neighbour as they couldn’t possible put my sister out 🙄🫠.

OP posts:
RainbowSlimeLab · 28/06/2025 08:07

Why did you not refuse to water his plants on the basis you work more than full time?

BIossomtoes · 28/06/2025 08:09

RainbowSlimeLab · 28/06/2025 08:07

Why did you not refuse to water his plants on the basis you work more than full time?

Easier to agree and then just not do it presumably.

Alacartemenu · 28/06/2025 08:10

Chester23 · 28/06/2025 08:01

I just replied with ok but you'll be happy to know i didn't go every day and "unfortunately" my dads lillys don't look to healthy 😂 the excuse I was given was his friend could no longer go because he has to work... I work and have had overtime every day. My dad's friends lives literally on the same street too.

Yes happy to hear that 😌 😊

no one can hurt you as much as families can

Muffinmam · 28/06/2025 08:12

Your sister is the golden child and you are the ignored child.

In toxic family relationships there is often a golden child and a scapegoat but there’s a position that can be more damaging to a child and that is the ignored child.

I think you are the ignored child. You know you will never see the £160k. It will be taken by care home fees or simply just spent (probably on your sister).

In my own family situation I was the scapegoat. I had two siblings who were the golden children and one sibling who was the ignored child. The consequences of our childhood has meant the ignored child is now no longer with us.

This isn’t just about financial resources - it’s emotional resources. Even when you really step up and do something for yourself (buy your own house) - your father takes away all the attention from you and tries to brokerage a deal so that your sister also gets a new build house. She hasn’t worked for it. She doesn’t deserve it. Yet somehow your parents think that you shouldn’t have anything nicer than your sister.

Your parents are never there for you. Even when you do something amazing for yourself they take your thunder and make it about your sister.

I think you need to create some distance with your family. They will never be the family need you need or deserve.

Even something as taking your parents for a walk through of your own house has shown you they are not there for you and their only concern is finding a better living situation for your sister. You should have never have taken them for a walk through at all. They have further demonstrated, through their actions, that they are not there for you and never will be.

Anon2468 · 28/06/2025 08:12

BusWankers · 28/06/2025 08:00

If they're giving her the £160k it will DEFINITELY affect her benefits.

It doesn’t. The money is going from my dad’s bank account, into a property. Universal credit isn’t means tested on how much property you own. It’s based on cash. I’ve been through the entire process of this with HMRC and being reported for fraud with similar. It was concluded after a 2 hour compliance interview and a lot of investigation what I have done is legit. They wouldn’t have closed the case on me if it was fraudulent and my universal credit claim has remained open.

OP posts:
Muffinmam · 28/06/2025 08:12

Also want to add you are not being greedy at all.

ZenNudist · 28/06/2025 08:13

This is toxic. Your sister is the golden child. Your parents are being deeply unfair. Anything you do will be twisted as you being jealous. You've already been unfairly called greedy and selfish.

I am so sorry. I'd make new support networks. Start now and in a few years your found family will be much better to rely on. You probably aren't that far off having to look after your parents and I'd be resolving now to stay as far away as possible from this toxic situation. I guarantee that in the future you will be called on for lifts and favours whilst golden sister does nothing.

alexalisten · 28/06/2025 08:13

Anon2468 · 28/06/2025 08:03

I deep down agree on this (but I also know he wouldn’t ever be affected by a gurantor status as I’m sensible with money). But if you do anything possible for one, surely refusing help to the other is going to cause a rift? He’s technically taken a chance on my sister knowing she’s bad with money renting a current place out to her with risk of her not paying rent… but can’t be a guarantor to another daughter who is good with money? I see no difference.

But renting out a property they still own is not even close to being a guarantor. If your sister didn't pay rent they would be well within their rights to evict her and rent to someone else or sell the house (not saying they would) being a guarantor means they are risking the home they live in.

alexalisten · 28/06/2025 08:13

AvidJadeShaker · 28/06/2025 08:01

Are your DC planning on going to university?

I highly doubt it