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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Do you even like your adult sibling?

164 replies

Imjustwonderingnow · 22/12/2025 22:27

We live in different countries. Used to be very close as kids. Used to speak often. Slowly over the last 2 years had numerous small arguments but really I've realised our values are just totally different. I wouldn't choose to be friends with them in real Life. So now we just tolerate each other and send messages on birthdays etc. Is this normal for some ? If you've had the same tell your story. Of course I'm saddened by it ... I miss the person they used to be. I feel they've changed into someone I cannot relate to. That's fine ....but my internal peace is more important to me so I'm low contact. Our mum we both still have contact with her separately

OP posts:
BebbanburgIsMine · 23/12/2025 00:40

No, not at all.

We can’t stand each other, and he has bullied me for my whole life, physical and mental abuse too.

I’ve been no contact for a good few years now, with his family, and him with mine. I’m much happier without the useless git in my life.

jamcorrosion · 23/12/2025 00:43

Onefortheroad25 · 23/12/2025 00:38

I had one sibling. We were best friends as kids and teens. But in our 20’s we drifted. I didn’t understand his life choices and we argued. Eventually we were nc. He died by suicide a couple of years ago. I would give anything to go back and just accept we were different but still have kept some kind of contact. Even just the bare minimum. I miss him so much even though we didn’t see each other in the few years before he died. I just think about us as kids all the time.
Dh has loads of siblings. I think he’s so lucky but they all take each other for granted.

I’m sorry that happened to you and your family. Don’t hold onto guilt we’re all guilty of thinking we have all the time in the world but it doesn’t always work out like that. It’s so easy to have regrets when something bad happens but you did what you did for a reason. Doesn’t mean you can’t remember the good times. Hope you’re ok

Bigearringsbigsmile · 23/12/2025 00:49

I love them and really enjoy spending time with them. We have such a good laugh and I know they would have my back if I needed it.

TheOneWithTheGoat · 23/12/2025 00:50

No, I wouldn’t say I love them either. I just see them as my Mum’s other kids. We don’t speak or see each other unless it’s at family event.

XenoBitch · 23/12/2025 00:51

We exchange texts on birthdays and xmas. That is it really.
I have nephews but I would not recognise them in the street.

Pistachiocake · 23/12/2025 00:51

Very few adult siblings I know see each other regularly, quite a few live in different countries. I can only think of one who is anything like close, so please don't think you're unusual. Even kids tend to prefer playing with friends than siblings, so it is quite natural that once you're grown up and can make your own choices, you choose not to be with them often.

CaptainBluebell · 23/12/2025 00:52

I have only one sister, I adore her.

Motherofalittledragon · 23/12/2025 00:54

No he’s a horrid person.

Chickydoo · 23/12/2025 01:02

My brother is lovely, my sister on the other hand is awful. Far far too many incidents to mention here. In some ways I feel sorry for her as I think she must have some serious mental health concerns to behave the way she has over the years.

AliceMcK · 23/12/2025 01:08

After many years living in different countries with little contact and a narc mother who played us off against each other I’ve found I have little to nothing in common with them. We have had different life experiences both growing up in the same house and by living different lives in different countries. As children I would have said we were close but now we can’t even hold a simple conversation with each other without it being awkward.

I understand siblings don’t have to like each other but I do really hope my children do maintain a close bond as adults.

TheNameWasOnceChosen · 23/12/2025 01:10

I love both my sisters. One lives up the road and the other one lives 1000s of miles away - but we talk every few days and see each other once a year.

Crystal12345 · 23/12/2025 01:14

I have 4 siblings and love every one of them. We all get on great! My DH on the other hand is 1 of 6 and only really speaks to one of them!

jamcorrosion · 23/12/2025 01:18

Pistachiocake · 23/12/2025 00:51

Very few adult siblings I know see each other regularly, quite a few live in different countries. I can only think of one who is anything like close, so please don't think you're unusual. Even kids tend to prefer playing with friends than siblings, so it is quite natural that once you're grown up and can make your own choices, you choose not to be with them often.

Really?! I’ve had the opposite experience not just with my own sibling but friends and their siblings

Treeper22 · 23/12/2025 01:19

Timely question. I don't like my brother about 80% of the time. I don't know if I love him or not. I do occasionally hate him. I think I've become numb around him.

He can sometimes be sweet and funny but he's a selfish, misogynist alcoholic whose stunted at the age of about 14. He can't go a day without referencing arseholes and bodily functions or other prurient subjects. He's 41.

He's someone who holds a grudge and relays the same anecdotes about how he has been wronged over and over but won't take responsibility for himself. Instead, will make endless excuses as to why whatever misogynistic, racist thing he said is OK (usually boils down to 'I heard it from a woman/black person so you can't complain'🙄). Or wallows in self pity. He takes no interest in me and most of his conversation revolves around him.

If I ever react to some disgusting thing he says he'll turn it round on me and make out I am unreasonable. Basically, he wants free rein to 'be himself' in his words without anyone ever pissing on his chips by having their own feelings about his behaviour.

He is quick to anger. Has regularly punched lampposts/walls then shown me the injury in an attempt to offload his rage, as if it is somehow my responsibilty. He often talks about feeling as if he could kill someone.

He lives with my mother who alternates between rejecting him and enabling him in a babying way. Both my parents had explosive arguments when I was young and there was abuse within the house.

I have some sympathy at times as we were both fucked over by our parents but I've come to the conclusion that he is practically emotionally illiterate and there is no point attempting connection with him as the part of his brain that processes nuance and understanding in relationships must be missing.

Thanks, that helped.

DramaAlpaca · 23/12/2025 01:21

I like my sibling but we are low contact due to living in different countries. We have very different lives, they are younger than me and their children a lot younger than mine, and we don't have much in common. However, they are a good person and they look after our very elderly parents because I can't due to distance, and I respect and appreciate that.

PenguinTattoo · 23/12/2025 01:30

Nope. She did something I couldn't forgive but I pretended was ok for about a year relating to "adoption" of two beautiful children.

Cue massive alcohol fueled argument where I told her what she had done literally made me feel sick. And that I hadn't truly supported her "return' when things went wrong and all my "guidance" had been about protecting the children, not her.

She proceeded to kick the shit out of me in front of my then 11y and 8y olds (she had previous for this with a record of multiple GBHs, never before against me). I couldn't leave the house for a week cos of the bruising. Thankfully my work let me WFH without cameras (this was pre COVID).

But honestly, I do think it was my fault, obviously I don't mean the assault. But I guided her to do things that made the children involved safe, I didn't act in her interests but theirs. Because she wanted to send them back like a handbag.

I then acted like our relationship was fine when I felt repulsed by her. Once the children were safe I should have said enough is enough, not waited for alcohol and violence to go NC.

But still NC 7 years later and I'm now ok with it

ilovesooty · 23/12/2025 01:30

No. I love my niece very much though.

batsh1ttery · 23/12/2025 01:43

One, yes. I love her and absolutely adore my niece and have great relationships with both. The other, no. I don’t even like her as a person but I do wish she lived closer so I could bond with my other nieces. I disagree with her parenting and the choices she makes but I’d love to get to know those little girls better. TBH I’d love to show that sibling how to be a better parent. I do miss my sister but as a mum myself (with a child much older than her kids) I wish I could change her parenting style, especially as they get older. It’s not all social media for laughs.
Our DM can fuck off. After causing us all so much damage only the sister mentioned above lets her into her life. Another misguided action.
Arent families just so fucked up? 🙈

ChangedWhoIWas · 23/12/2025 02:05

I have 3 brothers & 2 sisters (8 years between the oldest & youngest) and we all get along well and see each other often. The oldest lives interstate but he phones regularly. No. 3 brother passed away a year ago and it was an awful time for all of us. Not long after, no. 2 brother had a very serious accident with lifelong consequences and we are always there for each other with love & support.
I grew up thinking all families were loud & funny & close like mine, but only realised as an adult that this isn’t the case.
DH also has 5 siblings and speaks catches up with a brother regularly, but hasn’t had contact with the others for 20+ years. Big falling out that couldn’t be mended and while it was devastating from him at the beginning, his life is so uncomplicated now and my siblings treat him like a brother anyway.

ViciousCurrentBun · 23/12/2025 02:32

I adore 2, like 1 and despise 1, it’s an entire social experiment. Also have some half siblings who I really like.

Fuckoffeasypeelers · 23/12/2025 02:37

YourOnMute · 22/12/2025 22:50

No, another golden child situation, which has also altered my relationship with my parebts because I'll never forgive them. He's extremely selfish, not a nice person and delighted when things go wrong for me.

This is really hard, Im in the same situation and mine is overtly vindictive and tried to destroy my relationship with my parents through lies and manipulation.

Strokethefurrywall · 23/12/2025 03:33

Adore her. And my younger brother when he was alive. They are the other pieces of my heart.
Now it’s just her and me and we’re close. I live overseas so don’t see her as much as I’d love to but when I’m back we spend a lot of time together.

Shes one of my best friends.

ActiveTiger · 23/12/2025 03:41

Yes very close to my 4 brothers and 3 sisters and there hubbies and kids, we all live in the same county do loads of family things together and can always rely on every single one as they can me

jackstini · 23/12/2025 05:49

Not sure there is a normal/ not

My sister is my best friend, and I can only think of one time -around age 8-10, that we weren’t

We both thought this was very common, until we spoke to friends and realised they don’t see each other very often 🤷‍♀️

MrsDutchie88 · 23/12/2025 05:58

My older half sister and I have had serious ups and downs. We grew up together like full siblings but she obviously has her childhood traumas. She chose not to attend my wedding and for me thats the straw that broke the camels back. Right now we just tolerate each other