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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To cut disabled sister off?

94 replies

Cindy92 · 15/08/2025 10:23

My sister has physical disabilities, she was born this way. However, mentally she is fine, she graduated from university, owns a property and manages rental income etc.
When I visit my mum, my sister is often aggressive, argumentative, abusive, and controlling for no real reason. My mum has raised her with a victim complex believing that because she is disabled, she is always right and others are wrong and that people are there to do her wrong. Most times I visit, she starts arguments, swears, spits at me, hits me, and says hurtful things like, “No wonder your husband divorced you,” or “You’re ugly and fat,” She also tells my young DS off, ignores him etc. as a result he doesn’t really like her.
Yesterday, I visited my mum, as DS has been staying there a couple of nights a week during the holidays while I work. I casually mentioned something I saw on Instagram (I asked her is she had posted a picture twice as I'd seen it a couple of hours ago and then at that particular time), and she tried to start an argument over it. I repeatedly told her I wasn’t engaging and to leave me alone. She then came over and scratched my arm hard because I didn't want to argue over something so trivial. She dug her nails into my arm. I left the room, but she followed, still trying to argue. I told her to go away, and she fell to the floor crying hysterically. My mum comforted her, making me the “villain” and her the “victim” because of her disability again.
Moments later, she came back, looked at DS, and said, “I hope you and your mum become disabled,” before grabbing a sandwich to throw at me. She then came to hit me again. I pushed her onto the sofa so she wouldn’t fall on the floor, but she got up and tried to throw my car keys at me. When I was about to leave, she hit my face, so I pushed her away. She started kicking me. I took DS and left.
She has had similar incidents with my older sister, cousin, mum. She is also controlling with her carers about 3 have stopped working with her in the last year alone. She has never been physically or verbally aggressive with them, which tells me she knows what she is doing. She sighs and shows her annoyance at them. Over the years, I've encouraged her to get therapy, but she has refused.
I have decided to cut contact with her and massively reduce my visits to my mum’s house, as I don’t want DS exposed to this toxic environment anymore. I feel very unhappy after each visit. I can't do it anymore.
This is one incident of many.

OP posts:
TheFormidableMrsC · 15/08/2025 10:26

She’s abusive. Cut her off. Sadly your mum enables her too. I’d see your mum outside of the home and steer clear of your sister. She sounds dangerous. I also would not subject my children to this. You deserve peace, not being injured every time you visit!

LlamaNoDrama · 15/08/2025 10:30

Bloody hell op she sounds utterly unhinged. You should report her for assault and cut her off.

Pootles34 · 15/08/2025 10:33

No one will tell you you're being unreasonable, and the only reason you might think twice about your decision is because you've been raised in it.

Please listen to people here when they say this is not ok. Your mum has done your sister a grave disservice, but that isn't your fault or problem to fix.

HerecomesMargo · 15/08/2025 10:34

She sounds like a miserable being. Cut her off and probably your mom too as she condones the abuse. Never expose your child to this unhinged, abusive person.

coffeeeeeeeee · 15/08/2025 10:40

If my sister hit me i would hit her right back if she can throw one she can take one back.

Cut her off end of.

Locutus2000 · 15/08/2025 10:43

Not much of an AIBU when the answer is this obvious.

Dinosaurshoebox · 15/08/2025 10:43

Id message your mum saying that the relationship between the 4 of you is over.
That she will not have a relationship with you or your son with your sister present so now to see either of you she must come to you alone.

And id also throw in there you are contemplating police action for the assault.

ChaToilLeam · 15/08/2025 10:44

Bloody hell, that is awful and your DS should not be exposed to that! You should have cut her off long ago, though perhaps it is hard to see that when life has always been that way. If anyone else did that to you, you'd be calling the police. Perhaps you should anyway.

Your mother has done her no favours allowing her to carry on like that and if she has to see less of you, so be it. I wouldn't go to that house ever again.

ACynicalDad · 15/08/2025 10:46

There is no need to stay connected to your family after 18 (arguably earlier) if they are no benefit to you then move on with your life without them. If you stay connected you may be guilted into becoming her carer once your mum dies. If you wish to maintain a relationship with your mum do it away from your sister and if she brings her just walk out.

Lavender14 · 15/08/2025 10:47

If she is mentally sound then I'd report her to the police as she's abusive and could really hurt your mum as she gets older. It's domestic abuse and she knows what she's doing.

I'd apologise to your ds for bringing him there explain that your sisters behaviour was absolutely not acceptable and that she is a tricky person so he won't have to see her again because it's important he is safe.

And yes, I would cut her off completely in no uncertain terms and I wouldn't be in the same room as her again. Your mum needs therapy and I'd be pushing for that. She's enabling this to happen and then struggling to manage it. Your sister is meanwhile getting all her needs met so there's no benefit to her to get therapy, this suits her.

I'd only retain communication with your mum provided she respects your decision not to engage with your sister. Your mum sounds like she's carrying misplaced guilt/ sense of responsibility beyond whats normal for a parent centered around your sisters disability and she needs to address that. It's not your mantle to take on.

thepariscrimefiles · 15/08/2025 10:47

You need to find other childcare and cut them both out of your and your son's lives.

Mewling · 15/08/2025 10:48

I would be pretty gutted if my child was exposed to that kind of batshittery.

Aimtodobetter · 15/08/2025 10:49

Cut her out of your, and more importantly your kid's, life.

crankycurmudgeon · 15/08/2025 10:50

Sorry have I read that right... a grown woman spitting at a family member? WTAF!

Lavender14 · 15/08/2025 10:51

Mewling · 15/08/2025 10:48

I would be pretty gutted if my child was exposed to that kind of batshittery.

And also, if your child goes into school and says this happened and he witnessed it then the school would be bound to make a report to social services and you would then be assessed on your ability to protect.

It might have become almost normalised to you as you've grown up with this, but it's a serious safeguarding worry that this isn't the first time and you still felt this was an OK place for your son to stay. No point in beating yourself up over it, it's great you've recognised it now so focus on doing what you can to safeguard him better moving forwards.

Cheesetoastiees · 15/08/2025 10:52

Don’t send your child there ever, cut contact with her and see your mum away from the home in public or at your home. If she does not respect that then I’d stay away from your mum too.

NormasArse · 15/08/2025 10:55

Being disabled doesn’t automatically mean you are nice.

I have had to block a family member because of threats to stab me. It’s broken my heart, but how will she learn that it’s unacceptable if I keep accepting it?

Nobody deserves to be assaulted, and your son should not be exposed to this.

InterestedDad37 · 15/08/2025 10:55

She sounds totally unhinged. Steer clear 👍

EaglesSwim · 15/08/2025 10:55

mentally she is fine

I would question this.

Yes, reduce contact to the minimum, don't expose yourself and your DC to it.

OneNeatBlueOrca · 15/08/2025 10:56

She isn't too disabled to beat you up and kick you physically, is she? I'd have said that to her.

Sorry, but I'll be going to the police about that.It's assault. If a partner or random stranger did that to you, you d go to the police, right?

If I get this right, she owns a property claims.The rental income and live with your mother.So she's sponging off your mother.

Add cut her off and also involve the police and social services, because I do wonder if she's beating your mother as well when she doesn't get her own way.

Your child should not have to witness his poor mom being beaten up by relative. It's not a good thing to see that this kind of thing is tolerated.

MillyMolliMandi · 15/08/2025 11:00

What you describe is really inappropriate behaviour. Does she have underlying conditions that you have not explained. Getting that angry, hitting and spitting..she needs help.

Headstarttohappiness · 15/08/2025 11:00

Lavender14 · 15/08/2025 10:51

And also, if your child goes into school and says this happened and he witnessed it then the school would be bound to make a report to social services and you would then be assessed on your ability to protect.

It might have become almost normalised to you as you've grown up with this, but it's a serious safeguarding worry that this isn't the first time and you still felt this was an OK place for your son to stay. No point in beating yourself up over it, it's great you've recognised it now so focus on doing what you can to safeguard him better moving forwards.

This post is totally correct.

It’s awful that this has been your experience of “family” - and it’s not your fault or responsibility. It’s rare to get 100% vote on here I think.

Can you concentrate on looking after yourself and your family of you &DS? (And DP/spouse if I missed that!)
Wishing you love and strength

NotrialNodeal · 15/08/2025 11:03

She sounds very bitter and deeply unhappy which is understandable but her behaviour is completely unacceptable. Absolutely cut all contact with her and I would see your mother only in an environment away from your sister. I am sorry you have been treated this way. Best of luck moving forwards. You're doing the right thing BTW.

ComfortFoodCafe · 15/08/2025 11:05

She doesnt sound mentally well, has your mum not pushed her behaviour to be seen by a doctor? No sane person would behave like that.

purpledaze24 · 15/08/2025 11:06

@Cindy92 Of course you’ve made the right decision by cutting her off. Well done, no one should have to put up with that from anyone no matter who they are. It’s an important example to your son too. It’s also the only way to try to make her understand just how horrendous her behaviour’s been. I’d write her a letter explaining the reason why you’re cutting her off. Not because you owe her anything but because there’s a tiny chance it might make her understand how damaging her behaviour is. Spitting at you (to me anyway) suggests really severe hated of someone. Do you know why she hates you so much? Or is spitting part of her abusive behaviour to others also? I wouldn’t report her to the police, nothing will likely come of it and it’ll just cause more stress and pain to you and your son and social service involvement etc. However I’d be aware of how she’s treating your mum, presumably she’s fairly old? Would your mum tell you if she was physically abusing her? If that does happen I’d consider reporting her then, to try and protect your mum