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AIBU?

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AIBU for not giving my half siblings the same financial help?

215 replies

EveryoneIsAsleep · Today 11:48

I have 2 siblings and 2 half siblings who are my dads.

I’m in a good financial situation, so 5 years ago, I gave one of my full siblings some money to help her buy a house and also for fertility treatment. I told my other full sibling that I would help her with money if and when she needed it. A few months ago she found a house she wanted to buy so I gave her the money.

My dad knows I’ve done this as my siblings told him, and since giving the latest gift, he and my half siblings are asking if I’m going to gift my half siblings the same, as they both rent and one is also wanting fertility treatment.

I get on ok with my half siblings but I don’t have the same relationship as I do with my other siblings. One of them has now stopped speaking to me and the other is piling on the pressure for me to gift them the same. They’re also trying to make me feel extra guilty for not at least paying for fertility treatment one of them who is struggling to conceive.

My dad has said it’ll ‘change the family’ if I don’t treat my half siblings the same. He ignored my text asking him what he meant by that. He has now ignored my birthday.

AIBU for not giving my half siblings the same as my full siblings?

What would you do? I feel like I should be able to spend my money however I want to. I’m mostly annoyed at my dad as my relationship with him shouldn’t depend on what I give to his other children.

OP posts:
Silverbirchleaf · Today 17:22

MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · Today 17:08

your half-siblings consider you a proper family, so want the same respect“

do they though or do they just want the generous OP’s money?

Good point.

Tsundokuer · Today 17:24

Sadly your dad was a selfish shit when you were growing up and he hasn’t changed. He’s seen an opportunity to save his own money by getting you to fund his 2nd family and has shown you that his ‘love’ is entirely dependant on you letting him do whatever he wants.

I’d maintain the no contact in your position and certainly wouldn’t give any money to half siblings. Possibly with some choice words about family relationships and finances over the years..

ThreeLocusts · Today 17:31

OP what a shitty situation. Your dad has betrayed your siblings' trust and yours by using your generosity towards your full siblings to encourage his younger children to pester you for money. If anyone here is spoiling family relationships, it's him.

You're not a cash cow for children he chose to have, presumably having replaced your mum with theirs. If they have specific money needs, he can find money for them.

BitterTits · Today 17:31

I voted YABU because I have one full sibling and four halves and wouldn't dream of giving financial gifts to one and not the rest.

WearyAuldWumman · Today 17:33

YANBU

I don't have siblings, but I do have first and second cousins in another country.

I'm actually closer to the second cousins and would be more likely to help them out financially.

Acheyelbows · Today 17:36

This is a horrible situation. The younger half siblings are just jealous. Wouldn't everyone love if an older sibling had money to gift us but we don't and can't just expect it.

You have been extremely generous with your full siblings because you wanted to. You do not have to give any money to your other siblings full or half. Yes they can be disappointed and jealous but it's your money.

Your father has an absolute nerve and I'd imagine the younger siblings will definitely seek for a balancing up in the inheritance but your money is not part of the pot.

Unless your father had gifted you a huge sum and you are paying it forward to all his children then it has nothing to do with him. I would have a difficult time not to remember this the next time he or the younger siblings needed a hand with something. Nothing like money to bring out people's true colours.

MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · Today 17:38

icouldholditwithacobweb · Today 12:19

It's tricky - I see your point, but your actions have drawn a very clear 'us vs them' line in the sand and I can understand why your dad is upset because you're all his children.

Then the father can give five way gifts

HmmWhatNameToHave · Today 17:39

If you give financial gifts they must never be spoken about, and your siblings should not have mentioned your part in their buying a house. You should never discuss finances, people especially family always which they are due a share and it causes jealousy.
I'm really sorry you're ond gesture has caused so much unhappiness. I don't think you've done anything wrong, I'm guessing that you didn't really have the same relationship growing up so don't feel the need to support them financially.
I think your dad is deflecting that fact that he's not helping them financially by giving you a hard time so you're the bad guy and not him.
Your money your choice as other posters have said.

Daleksatemyshed · Today 17:45

I wonder how much of this is coming from your half siblings and how much is actually coming from your DF. He's lied to himself that he was as good a parent as your DM and that you and your half siblings were all one big happy family, now you've shown him quite clearly that he was wrong, that you didn't feel the same about them and your real family is your DM and your direct siblings.
If your father was a better man he'd admit that he treated you badly and tell his later DC that he neglected you and if they are second best that's his fault, but I wouldn't hold your breath Op

IsthataNo · Today 17:48

Op I'm sure it's been mentioned but why on earth wasn't all this kept discreet ? Why on earth did these siblings tell your dad and why would he tell the half siblings ?
What's the point or gain of that ?

It should have all been done with the utmost discretion

MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · Today 17:52

LBFseBrom · Today 17:00

It's entirely up to you but it was a mistake for anyone to know that you have given money to your siblings. Why could it not have been kept between you and the recipients? I get that it is good to help if you can but should be done discreetly. Being able to buy a house is a big thing and worth giving, I certainly wouldn't pay for someone's fertility treatment, that's not essential. If they can afford a baby, they can afford to pay for their own treatment.

Your half siblings probably feel left out, they think of themselves as 'family', not part family, but they'll get over it. It's up to you what you do with your cash but from now on, keep it private.

Being able to buy a house is a big thing and worth giving, I certainly wouldn't pay for someone's fertility treatment, that's not essential. If they can afford a baby, they can afford to pay for their own treatment

That’s a little mean spirited and in any case between OP and her DS

EmeraldShamrock000 · Today 17:55

Of course Yanbu. Your DF thinks you are a cash cow. No one is entitled to your money.

BruFord · Today 17:55

HmmWhatNameToHave · Today 17:39

If you give financial gifts they must never be spoken about, and your siblings should not have mentioned your part in their buying a house. You should never discuss finances, people especially family always which they are due a share and it causes jealousy.
I'm really sorry you're ond gesture has caused so much unhappiness. I don't think you've done anything wrong, I'm guessing that you didn't really have the same relationship growing up so don't feel the need to support them financially.
I think your dad is deflecting that fact that he's not helping them financially by giving you a hard time so you're the bad guy and not him.
Your money your choice as other posters have said.

Edited

I agree @HmmWhatNameToHave, it's not a good idea to share that you've received a financial gift as it can lead to exactly what the OP is experiencing. It's so unfair, she did something nice and look what it's led to.

WearyAuldWumman · Today 17:55

IsthataNo · Today 17:48

Op I'm sure it's been mentioned but why on earth wasn't all this kept discreet ? Why on earth did these siblings tell your dad and why would he tell the half siblings ?
What's the point or gain of that ?

It should have all been done with the utmost discretion

I did give money to a first cousin abroad at one point when she was in dire financial straits through no fault of her own.

I was somewhat dismayed when I realised that she'd split the money with a sibling. Later, her daughter caught me on my own and told me quite firmly not given anyone any more money.

I don't know quite what has happened, but the last time I visited I realised that one branch of the family is no longer speaking to the other. Based on my dealings with those relatives, I'm fairly certain that it's to do with inheritance. I'm aware that the cousin's sibling had already acquired everything that originally had belonged to their parents.

In my experience, certain relatives are simply far too naive, whilst others are experts in prising - or attempting to prise - money out of others.

MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · Today 17:56

Corianda · Today 12:22

It depends a bit on how many millions you have kicking around -if you have loads I’d give the cost of one round of fertility treatment to both half siblings and say that’s the lot.

Did you say you bought your sibling a house?

Edited

I don’t think whether to donate funds to what appear to be fairly distant half siblings is a means tested issue

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