Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To stop making an effort with my little sister.

13 replies

DoubleEspressoForMe · 01/08/2025 18:03

We grew up in a challenging environment. Alcoholism, domestic violence, immature parents. My Dad was very angry and authoritative. An all round unhappy childhood. We were very close as kids. I think as the older of the two of us, I bore the brunt of issues at home, and took it upon myself to stand up for my sister and Mum against my Dad. I was very protective of my sister at school as well, as she suffered a lot with bullying. We had the normal sibling rubs as kids but nothing over the ordinary. If anything I considered us closer due to the home situation.

Over the years we have grown apart. She grew hostile when I got married and had kids. And even more so in recent years. We have much older sisters who had left home and were very supportive when we were young.

In recent years she seems to have set herself against us, but particularly me. She doesn't have children and doesn't like spending time with ours. Her behaviour can be terrible around them, when she can be very critical, very vocally of them. One incident where she came along to a kids orientated weekend, she moaned about them loudly. Then proceed to get drunk and puke everywhere. This isn't an isolated incident, it often happens when we're together. My older sister tackled her about her behaviour and my little sister has now pretty much cut her off. There is no talking to her.

Recently shes really doubled down on me. Any time we get together she talks constantly about how awful I was to her when we were kids. She recounts incidents that happened 20 years or so ago, and they clearly are a big deal to her. I've began to think she holds a deep resentment against me for something, but I know there is no asking her about it without her cutting me off entirely. So I just put up with it to keep the peace.

She has no interest in any of our lives or those of our kids and only ever contacts people when there is some sort of drama. At which point my parents will rally around her.

Recently I reached out to her to see if she wanted to meet up with me and she just ignore my messages. I'm deeply hurt about her attitude towards me and that she clearly has this very negative impression of me as a teenager. A teenager who was often the adult in the home caring for my Mum and her, while my Dad worked away, struggling to cope with the disaster around us and shield her from the worst of it. We are very different people but I always thought we might remain bonded due to our shared childhood experiences, but she so clearly doesn't care about me or my life, and is so openly hostile towards me, I just dont see the point in forcing her to be a part of it. It goes against everything I believe but I think of I didn't contact her I wouldn't hear from her, and I'm tempted to just leave it that way instead of making an effort with her.

OP posts:
WilderHawthorn · 02/08/2025 08:33

It sounds like she has a huge amount of anger and possibly trauma to work through and is taking it out on you because you’re there. I’d gently disengage but leave the door propped open

nutbrownhare15 · 02/08/2025 08:36

She sounds jealous of your life. Due to the trauma she experienced she probably can't see how much you did for her. Have you considered counselling yourself? I'd also look at the Let Them theory.

Evaka · 02/08/2025 08:39

Drop the rope OP. Sadly it sounds like she has lots of your parents toxic traits and will drag you and your kids down if she's in your lives.

I'm sorry she's traumatised but so were you and you've overcome a lot. Protect yourself and what you've achieved x

TizerorFizz · 02/08/2025 08:49

We don’t choose our family or childhood. When we get older we aren’t all the same because we share family. I’d let her go her way at the moment.

PinkyFlamingo · 02/08/2025 08:54

Do not let her treat you like this anymore, you don't need to "keep the peace". Because you don't have peace. If that means cutting her off so be it. She clearly needs therapy which you can't force her to do but stop letting yourself be her s scapegoat

StrawberryCranberry · 02/08/2025 08:57

Your sister sounds very unhappy and disturbed, but she needs help from a therapist with that, not you. I would take several steps back, especially when it comes to having her around your kids.

defrazzled · 02/08/2025 08:58

She is jealous of your children and family unit due to insecure attachment imo - have a read on attachment theory and I think you will see why is so unable to make good relationships. Well done for protecting her and your mum/other sister. I have as similar situation with one of my 9 DBs and it is very sad - you are in many ways punished as you will remind her of the misery. Take care Op - your responsibility is to your children and they are growing up without trauma, I would keep it that way.

defrazzled · 02/08/2025 08:58

https://positivepsychology.com/attachment-theory/

Amoonimus · 02/08/2025 09:06

It sounds as though she suffered trauma and seeing other family living happy lives as if nothing happened might be triggering. I'd do as a pp says, if you've asked and she's not responded, leave it there. Keep the door open. Alcohol is commonly used by those with childhood trauma to blot out memories and overwhelming feelings. She probably needs therapy.

Life changes. Dc grow up and leave home. The relationship might recover a bit when you're at a different stage in life.

Lemniscate8 · 02/08/2025 09:06

I think you are a good sister and a lovely person, but dont let her wear you down, and don't have her in your childen's lives. Back off. Leave the door open, maybe limit yourself to a couple of friendly contacts a year, like a nice birthday gift and an invitation to get together around christmas? Dont expect a reply or respond if you get a hostil reply, just repeat regularly

Shesellsseashellsnotinmystreet · 02/08/2025 09:09

Think of it like you're doing her a favour. Save her from being angry and resentful around you and your family .. She need never see you again. Drop the rope.
Then you won't feel guilty..

Astrak · 02/08/2025 09:15

My sister is/was (I don't know if she is still alive) absolutely vile to me. She was born six years before me and thought that she was the most important person in the family. I tended to do my own thing and was more successful in my endeavours than she was. She used to pinch me, lie about me and try to get me into trouble with my parents every day. My mother used to say "Just ignore her - she doesn't mean it.". She did. In the end, I moved out of the family home as soon as I could, studied for a degree and a professional qualification and haven't heard from her for decades. I recommend that you do what my mother used to do : put on a hat if you see her approaching and say, "So sorry - I'm just going out - must rush! Bye!!

Evaka · 02/08/2025 09:42

Drop the rope OP. Sadly it sounds like she has lots of your parents toxic traits and will drag you and your kids down if she's in your lives.

I'm sorry she's traumatised but so were you and you've overcome a lot. Protect yourself and what you've achieved x

New posts on this thread. Refresh page