Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is this a normal adult sibling relationship?

117 replies

treasurechest92 · 02/01/2026 08:45

I have siblings and we are close but not to this extent. There's a long list of things that have been bothering me, and I don't know if I'm overthinking. Friends have given mixed opinions. A bit of background and a few examples....

Dh has one sibling, they are both late thirties. I like his sister, she is a nice woman.

When I first met dh, he told me he would never move in with me as I live too far away from his sister (20 min drive).
On a weekend away once his sister was sent to hospital with appendicitis and he was planning to leave our weekend away to go to the hospital, despite her having her parents and husband with her.

His mum regularly told me that 'sisters child' is dh's soulmate.

During an argument about something entirely unrelated, he randomly told me he would rather spend time with 'sisters child' than anyone else as they are easy company (aged 7).

He once told me his ideal woman is 'homely, girl next door vibes, just like sisters name' which is the complete opposite of me, I am a heavily tattooed and not conventionally good looking woman.

On two seperate occasions where I've invited sister and kids to join in activities with us and our kids, she's been unable to attend so asked to rearrange time or day, I've been unable to due to work, so instead of sticking to original plans with me, he's rearranged and done the activities with her and I've been left out despite it being my original plan, and despite me asking him not to as I really wanted to see the kids doing it.

A conversation where sister was showing me a scar on her stomach and how much she hated it, to try and make her feel better I said my stomach is covered in stretchmarks, dh pipes up with 'scars are cool as fuck, stretchmarks are ugly'.

Once we were staying in a log cabin in the middle of nowhere, and sat outside at night and a man was watching us from across the trees and it made me really uncomfortable, I asked dh to go and say something and he refused. At a later date when discussing it, he said 'of course if sister was there I would have gone and had a word with the bloke as she would have been scared'.

The next two have both happened this week, which is why I'm writing this now.

On Christmas day night, kids were in bed and we were getting intimate on the sofa, initiated by him, both partially undressed and clearly wantong to have sex, I asked if he'd like to move to the bedroom and he said 'no, I'm going to phone sisters name'.

His sister showed up to an event wearing something I loved, I told her I love it and that I had actually been considering buying it but hadn't (as dh had said it was tacky, I didnt tell her this part). After the party, dh was gushing about how great she looked and I reminded him he had said it was tacky when I wanted to buy it and he replied 'tacky on you but sisters name can pull everything off'.

I have tried talking to him about the last two but he said theres nothing to talk about and put his headphones in.

I hate myself for thinking badly of their relationship but there are loads more examples than what I've written here. Twice this week I've seen her come up to him, lean against him and rest her head on his shoulder and it honestly made me feel a bit sick.

OP posts:
guineaguineaguineapig · 02/01/2026 10:20

It does sound odd. I have a brother and I honestly don’t think he even notices what I’m wearing when he sees me - let alone comment on it. We get on well but we only really see each other at family gatherings or with respective wives and partners.

Mummypie21 · 02/01/2026 10:23

This is very strange and creepy. I'm close with my brother - he calls me every week for a chat and we send random messages/memes but no way would he act like this. His wife always comes before me - as it should.

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 02/01/2026 10:24

The relationship is bizarre, and he sounds like a horrible person who treats you horribly.,

I don't often say LTB, but if I were you I'd be hatching a plan to move on when I could

What are you getting out of being married to this rude and unkind plonker??

EleventyThree · 02/01/2026 10:28

What does he say when you question his relationship with his sister? Or when you tell him how much his behaviour hurts you?

caringcarer · 02/01/2026 10:28

The relationship you describe your DH having with his sister is odd in the extreme. You were on verge of having sex and his sister just popped into his mind!

DrinkFeckArseBrick · 02/01/2026 10:30

The relationship is odd but irrespective of how odd / weird it is and whether there is any sexual element to it, he is being consistently rude and disrespectful to you. Doing things for his sister that he'd refuse to do for you is wrong. Prioritising his sister is wrong. Leaving you out is wrong. Saying to you that his sister is better at things or looks better or just generally complimenting her and running you down at the same time is wrong.

Any one of those examples on its own is really disgusting behaviour. But all together its sinister and nasty and consistently disrespectful

EleventyThree · 02/01/2026 10:32

DrinkFeckArseBrick · 02/01/2026 10:30

The relationship is odd but irrespective of how odd / weird it is and whether there is any sexual element to it, he is being consistently rude and disrespectful to you. Doing things for his sister that he'd refuse to do for you is wrong. Prioritising his sister is wrong. Leaving you out is wrong. Saying to you that his sister is better at things or looks better or just generally complimenting her and running you down at the same time is wrong.

Any one of those examples on its own is really disgusting behaviour. But all together its sinister and nasty and consistently disrespectful

Edited

"sinister" - that's the word.

I mean, it's not beyond the realm of possibility that he's actually in love with his sister...

yeesh · 02/01/2026 10:43

How on earth have you managed to marry such a weirdo. He has clearly and consistently told you that his sister is more important that you will ever be, that can’t be good for your self esteem. You know it’s not normal, it’s really creepy tbh and the way he speaks about his niece/nephew is really worrying, especially when you have your own children.

NuffSaidSam · 02/01/2026 10:44

It's not normal. It's really weird

Any chance the 'soul mate' child is his? That's what I'd be thinking tbh!

Even if we ignore all the sister stuff though, he's constantly unpleasant to you. Why are you putting up with it? It sounds like there are dysfunctional relationships aplenty in your family!

Garroty · 02/01/2026 10:47

OP, he's just mean. Whether or not there is a weird vibe between them is almost irrelevant - you've listed about ten examples of him just being really unkind to you.

You deserve better than this. You shouldn't be with someone who is consistently disrespectful and unkind to you. Treat yourself better than this.

HugglesAndSnuggles · 02/01/2026 10:50

Gross. Reminds me of Nat and Georgia Simpson in Brookside. For anyone who watched it, if you know you know 🤮 🤮

SilverPink · 02/01/2026 10:50

Greentomatoes24 · 02/01/2026 10:16

Might be a reach, but I'd wonder about possible SSA when they were younger with the way he/they are carrying on.

I did wonder this. The fact his mum regularly tells OP her daughters child is her sons soulmate is weird in itself and tells you there’s probably not many boundaries in that household.

PluckyChancer · 02/01/2026 10:51

He’s not ever going to magically change so what are you going to do?

You can either carry on as you are and get even more frustrated by your DH as the years roll by or you leave with the kids and start again.

It really is that simple! 🤷🏻‍♀️

TheCurious0range · 02/01/2026 10:57

I have a brother, this is weird. We get on fine joke around with each other a lot, and will always help in a crisis, like when DH collapsed a floor sander with a water pipe and dB came over immediately to repair it or when DN vomited blackcurrant all over her bed bedroom carpet and I shot over there with my shark cleaner. DB has rescued me in the snow, I put together some legal paperwork to help him challenge a restriction on his property. We know our strengths and help each other. We spend time together with our children. The things your husband is saying about his sister are inappropriate and odd.

JLou08 · 02/01/2026 11:02

I don't think it's really the relationship with his sister that is a problem. I think he is using his sister as a means to put you down. He sounds like a nasty man who wants to make you feel worthless and uses comparisons with his sister to do so.

treasurechest92 · 02/01/2026 11:18

Thanks for the replies clarifying that this is a strange relationship, as he tells me it's normal and refuses to discuss any issues I have raised.
I don't think there's anything sinister about his relationship with his nephew, he used to provide a lot of childcare for his sister when nephew was small so they do have a close relationship.

OP posts:
OneNewEagle · 02/01/2026 11:19

No that’s not normal and I wonder how his sister feels plus the niece part is very strange.

but regardless of whether it’s normal or not you are not been treated nicely. This person isn’t for you you deserve much better as I expect your children do too. I’d plan on splitting up and getting away from it all.

OneNewEagle · 02/01/2026 11:20

treasurechest92 · 02/01/2026 11:18

Thanks for the replies clarifying that this is a strange relationship, as he tells me it's normal and refuses to discuss any issues I have raised.
I don't think there's anything sinister about his relationship with his nephew, he used to provide a lot of childcare for his sister when nephew was small so they do have a close relationship.

It’s normal for him. That’s how it’s always been.

but other people can think it’s strange. You deserve the attention.

Greentomatoes24 · 02/01/2026 11:24

treasurechest92 · 02/01/2026 11:18

Thanks for the replies clarifying that this is a strange relationship, as he tells me it's normal and refuses to discuss any issues I have raised.
I don't think there's anything sinister about his relationship with his nephew, he used to provide a lot of childcare for his sister when nephew was small so they do have a close relationship.

This would be a huge red flag for me. Sayings it's normal...it's not, but something in his childhood may have happened to make him think it's normal. Just because he babysata lot, doesn't take away the potential risk. I know it sounds really OTT but if he is refusing to discuss his behaviour, that signifies to me that there may be a sinister underlying explanation. Of course I could be wrong, but I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss it. Either way, he's treating you appallingly and I'd want to rethink the marriage.

BauhausOfEliott · 02/01/2026 11:26

He sounds obsessed with her and it’s really fucking weird. Not remotely normal.

Also - aside from that - he also sounds like a really unpleasant man who makes a point of hurting and humiliating you whenever we can. He’s not doing this by accident. He’s utterly horrible.

LetThemFume · 02/01/2026 11:27

But how did you come to marry this nutter? From what you say his obsession with his sister has been there since the start…

honeylulu · 02/01/2026 11:28

There are two issues here.

Firstly your marriage doesn't sound tenable because he seems to feel contempt and disrespect for you.

The sister thing is another issue but really quite concerning. I actually felt queasy reading it. It reminded me of Donald Trump praising his daughter for being so sexually attractive (boak). None of it is normal. It's one thing being close to a sibling but quite another to describe them as your ideal partner and gush over how gorgeous they look.

Is she older or younger?
How is she around him? Does she reciprocate the gushing and fussing or is she more "normal"? I've guessed that she is as her husband doesn't seem bothered. I do wonder what he thinks of your husband's idolatry of her.

MrsChristmasHasResigned · 02/01/2026 11:31

I have a slightly different take on it although I still think his behaviour is appalling. I think that narcissists sometimes elevate their family and see them as perfect because it is an extension of the way they see themselves. So it could be more psychological than sexual - the whole family may see themselves as exceptional.

Whatever the reason though, no one gets to treat you like this. Its awful. I hope you find someone who deserves to be around you in future.

FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · 02/01/2026 11:34

I’m close to my brothers but not like this.

Fucking weird.

surprisebaby12 · 02/01/2026 11:38

I’m mostly baffled you’re married to him when he’s got an emotionally incestuous relationship with his sister

Swipe left for the next trending thread