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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:
alexalisten · 28/06/2025 13:57

Pingiop · 28/06/2025 13:30

I don’t resent mine, most of my friends and family don’t resent their parents. I think this kind of attitude is quite sad. Not everyone should have kids.

Why because I treat my children as individuals who have different needs rather then exactly the same.

Pingiop · 28/06/2025 14:06

alexalisten · 28/06/2025 13:57

Why because I treat my children as individuals who have different needs rather then exactly the same.

No, not at all. I find some parents lack empathy.

honeylulu · 28/06/2025 14:11

OP this must be so hurtful and maddening. But in my experience (I'm the scapegoat and my sister is golden child - and that pattern has replicated for our children too) there is nothing you can do to change it.

When challenged my parents will bend over backwards to justify why they do so much for my sister but wouldn't piss on me if I was on fire. And why she is indulged for her unreasonable behaviour (she's sensitive you see, and needs kindness) but I'm told I'm selfish, rude, coldhearted etc for making a single politely worded objection to the unfairness. I actually no longer care about me being treated differently but I'm furious that my children are so obviously "second class".

I went low contact several years ago. I don't think they have even noticed or if they have they are pleased to have more time to dote solely on their favourites.

I've refocused on my own immediate family, friends, career and interests. I still wish my parents at least pretended they don't have favourites but there's nothing I can do about it.

alexalisten · 28/06/2025 14:12

Pingiop · 28/06/2025 14:06

No, not at all. I find some parents lack empathy.

No shit sherlock Why you telling me that

Upsidedownagain · 28/06/2025 14:19

It's definitely not fair. In my family, when one child has needed money for x, the other siblings get the same amount, regardless of need. It's the only fair way to pass on money before death imo. Because what you haven't yet had is never guaranteed.

Pingiop · 28/06/2025 15:18

alexalisten · 28/06/2025 14:12

No shit sherlock Why you telling me that

You asked why I felt some people shouldn’t have kids and that is my response.

nomas · 28/06/2025 15:21

I’d tell my parents that they either gift you and your sister the same amount or you will go no contact. Fuck the lot of them.

Havetheweekendoffreports · 28/06/2025 16:36

nomas · 28/06/2025 15:21

I’d tell my parents that they either gift you and your sister the same amount or you will go no contact. Fuck the lot of them.

And the parents will probably 🤷‍♀️ and say “bye” on the basis of what the op describes
which would be no bad thing for the op

MakeItToTheMoon · 28/06/2025 17:21

They’ve enabled her. Just because she has 2 children from 2 different fathers who have never been involved so what?! Surely as a grown woman she can stand on her own two feet.

Your parents definitely favour her and I would guess they treated you like this growing up. I wonder if they’ve made her into a helpless human being who needs her parents to do everything for her.

OP your parents know that leaving you £160k in the will will not be the same as buying her a house now. I would honestly just get on with life without any expectations from them.

Can I ask if your sister plays on it and is so used to your parents sorting her life out? Surely her children are grown up enough to not need regular childcare etc and she can start sorting her life out. It’s ridiculous

Havetheweekendoffreports · 28/06/2025 17:24

If she got a decent redundancy payout presumably she was in a fairly decently paid job for a number of years?

thrive25 · 28/06/2025 17:45

Your parents are being unfair to you and enabling your sister

Not only would 160k be worth a lot less in 30 odd years time vs now, being left money in a will is no guarantee

i can understand why you are hurt. My family is similar: there are 2 siblings who have always got more resources from our parents, and being overlooked when you need support resonates too: it hurts

Best you can do is step back and focus on your own life x

pestowithwalnuts · 28/06/2025 18:00

I think your parents are being very unfair.
When it comes to moving day into the new property and it's all hands on deck I think I would be busy elsewhere

cheesescheeses · 28/06/2025 18:05

In a similar situation, sibling was gifted a house nearly 20 years ago and I was supposed to inherit a similar but slightly lower amount in their wills.
fast forward to today and siblings house has doubled in price where I may get absolutely nothing if care is needed.
it makes me feel rather uncared for generally. It’s certainly hardened me inside and the worst part is how often my parents parrot that they would never treat us differently.

Havetheweekendoffreports · 28/06/2025 19:06

You exchanged 7 months ago and you still haven’t completed?!

Jennps · 28/06/2025 19:34

Unfortunately there are too many people like your sister out there. Whose only purpose in life is to take from others.

It’s the truth that the less you do for yourself in this society, the more you can take from others. And then these peoples children usually continue to follow the cycle. That’s why this country is f’d.

Havetheweekendoffreports · 28/06/2025 20:35

Jennps · 28/06/2025 19:34

Unfortunately there are too many people like your sister out there. Whose only purpose in life is to take from others.

It’s the truth that the less you do for yourself in this society, the more you can take from others. And then these peoples children usually continue to follow the cycle. That’s why this country is f’d.

Goodness, someone’s had a bad day (week? Month? Life??!)

Ohnobackagain · 28/06/2025 21:21

@Anon2468 does your sister know you got no help from parents? I’d not be going along with all this ‘don’t tell your sister’ nonsense … that’s enabling the toxicity. Just be honest without being rude. And you are not being unreasonable, it’s unfair. So, sod watering their plants or helping full stop. Leave them all to it. Let them give it all to her 🤷🏻‍♀️

Idontmindmondays · 28/06/2025 21:28

There are legalities to your parents gifting your sister a lump sum. They will have to complete a deprivation of assets form to confirm that if either of your parents need care in the future this gift won't impact their ability to pay for it, I suspect there is the ability to claw back the funds if needed (the mortgage company will also be interested in where the funds are coming from and will require reassurance). Is is likely she'll be able to get a mortgage relying on UC? (apologies if I've misread that).

Your parents are really hypocritical, and your sister is very entitled to accept this when you are also struggling. Do any of them offer anything positive to you and your children?

Well done for getting this far in your own, it's a fabulous achievement.

WildLeader · 28/06/2025 21:38

TheSandgroper · 28/06/2025 07:17

I think you need to make your peace with the fact that your parents are enthralled with your sister. This may take time so allow that time in your heart.

Sadly, expect nothing from them, prepare for nothing from them and treat anything you do get as a surprise. Decide how you are going to behave towards them in the future and what your response to any expectations they may develop will be.

But make peace with yourself now.

This is the best advice my dear @Anon2468

been there, done this, got the NC T-shirt

BIossomtoes · 28/06/2025 21:43

They will have to complete a deprivation of assets form to confirm that if either of your parents need care in the future this gift won't impact their ability to pay for it,

No they won’t. Deprivation of assets kicks in only when the need for residential care arises and only if assets were given away when there was a clear potential that it was likely. Two people in good health can give away anything they choose. In any event they’ve already bought OP’s sister a house that will be sold to fund the deposit.

HCmumma · 28/06/2025 21:43

Personally, I would cut ties with your parents and sister. They don’t seem to bring anything to you or your kids life’s. Keep your circle small and be content with what you have achieved by yourself.

Manthide · 28/06/2025 22:07

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.

My parents were guarantors for my eldest two and dd1 was guarantor for ds. It was never an issue. We are on uc so they couldn't have us!

(Wrong quote but won't let me change it)

Ignored124 · 28/06/2025 22:15

You aren’t greedy . This would ruin the relationship I had with my parents if they did this . Your sister is the favourite and they are not only not hiding it, they are rubbing it in . Probably best to go no contact with them .

Givenupshopping · 28/06/2025 22:44

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.

Don't tell me 'Chester23', they found out the person couldn't do the garden and expected you to do it?

ByLilacMember · 28/06/2025 22:53

I pressed the wrong button by mistake!!! YANBU
Sorry this is happening to you