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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Need advice re sister.

113 replies

CailinDana · 11/04/2014 16:33

My older sister lives abroad with my parents. We were close when we were very little but after my younger sister was born she changed a lot and bullied both of me and YS pretty much continuously until we left home. YS hates her.
We had a rubbish childhood for various reasons and our parents, while competent from a practical point of view were shit at the important things in parenting. Both YS and I "escaped" but OS is still at home and struggling (lost her job, depressed, friendless). She contacted me recently (first time in about 6 months) to say she wants to come here to participate in a clinical trial for treatment for a minor but persistent medical condition. She wants to stay with me.
I'm torn. I think she is using the trial as an excuse to escape from the miserable life at home and is trying to latch onto me. I felt very angry at her for years but that has waned (possibly due to how seldom I see her) and now I feel sorry for her. I was sexually abused as a child and I suspect she may have been too. I alsi think she has a social disorder.
It feels like she's reaching out to me for help and I feel a sort of duty to help her as I know my parents never will. But she is an extremely selfish and difficult person and the thought if having her in my house for more than a few days fills me with dread.
As a preview of what I can expect should she come over, she asked me to go with her every day to the treatment; which involves driving for over an hour with two small children and waiting with them indefinitely. Bear in mind she is not disabled in any way. She was clearly put out when I said no to that.

So I am torn between my "duty" as a sister and protecting myself from her. Any thoughts?

OP posts:
CailinDana · 12/04/2014 14:12

I know I should Donkeys. She's basically saying I'm a horrible person and my children will see that. She's mentioned the kids a few times because she knows that''ll hurt.

What a CUNT.

OP posts:
Walkacrossthesand · 12/04/2014 14:19

So, anyone that doesn't do exactly as she wants, is a horrible person. Interesting approach to life. Time to go silent & not respond to texts now?

Goldmandra · 12/04/2014 14:22

She's prepared to do whatever it takes to make you back down because she's used to winning. Once she's thrown everything she can at you and tried to get others involved she'll realise she has exhausted all her ammunition and give up for a while.

Don't be surprised if she then tries to build bridges in order to go on another sly offensive later on.

You've sent a good response which makes it clear that you don't need her approval. You probably should now switch off your phone or look into blocking her number for a while.

oldgrandmama · 12/04/2014 14:23

Oh Cailin, she's just scattering horrible insults in all directions, hoping that some will hit home ... I'd not read her texts, answer her calls, whatever. Just go cold turkey. She's going to try EVERY bloody thing to restore the status quo of she says 'jump' and everyone says 'how high?'

You've called her bluff. Stay strong. As for the stupid stuff about your kids, you know it's absolute rubbish. On the other hand, IF you weakened, came to heel and let her stay, your kids would resent so much the upset and aggro she caused the family.

Just ignore her. And if she drags her parents into the mix, just stay calm and stick to your guns. You've done the really hard bit already - now just maintain a calm but consistent 'NO!'

CailinDana · 12/04/2014 14:23

Ha! She just said "don't go badmouthing me to (my DH) as my relationship with him is separate..." She is totally deluded! My DH absolutely can't stand her. They never speak. She expects me not to say anything about her using my children as argument ammunition to the children's father. What fucking planet is she on???

OP posts:
Hissy · 12/04/2014 14:26

One more text cailin

"Do NOT contact me again"

That's all it'll take and you'll be free of this shit.

Goldmandra · 12/04/2014 14:27

May she's planning to get at you through him next.

Just ignore.

CailinDana · 12/04/2014 14:30

Thing is hissy I have to see her as she lives with my parents. I said to the last text (about dh): "ok have a good day." To which she replied "you too give my love to the kids." I know what'll happen - it'll all go silent then she'll need something/want to criticise and she'll get in contact again. It'll be like this never happened. It's a headfuck.
Just bland replies from now on. No more pity for her pathetic arse.

OP posts:
CailinDana · 12/04/2014 14:32

Oh god Gold that'd be fantastic! dH is a very very even tempered person but has an acid tongue when really pushed. If she contacted him she'd really regret it!

OP posts:
CailinDana · 12/04/2014 14:33

I think shr knows how he feels though. She just doesn't want me telling him her tactics as she's aware it makes her look like a total aresehole.

OP posts:
Hissy · 12/04/2014 15:00

You don't have to haave contact with her because of your parents.

You can tell her not to contact you, and if you see her and she kicks off tell her that you're there to see your parents and that's it, you don't give her permission to ruin that.

H
She's vile

Goldmandra · 12/04/2014 15:05

Well if she tells you again you can just say "I don't need to. He's read the texts :)"

deepest · 12/04/2014 17:58

Toxic people like this never change - they suck our energy and turn our emotions from positive to negative - dont let her near you.

Block her number - if you dont do this then even ignoring her will be hard work for you and use up your finite emotional energy...dont expend it on her....save it for your dh and dc - dont let her pollute your life. This is all about her

Much easier with toxic people as has been said up front to cut to the chase - be ready for the pain as it will always come - just say "no that wont work for me/cant do that/dont want to do that"- bever "because..." ie no explantion as this is always be followed by the prolonged negotaition and pushing if you say "because xyz"

This is all about her - you owe her nothing - as you say she ...." has lost her job, depressed, friendless"... all her own doing

Meerka · 12/04/2014 19:01

Cailin might it help to text "You've made your opinion of me very clear and I don't want any more of it. Further texts, mails etc will be deleted unread"

Then you can delete them with a clear conscience.

oldgrandmama · 12/04/2014 19:24

What Meerka just said ^

CailinDana · 13/04/2014 09:01

She carried on texting me and changed tactics again. Instead of implying I'm a bad mother she started squitting on about "sisters should be there for each other..." so I said "I don't want a relationship with you." So she started trying to get to me to say (and to shoot down) my reasons for not wanting a relationship. I have to admit I got a bit drawn into that. But then she started belittling my reasons so I said "to be honest I just don't like you." which rather flummoxed her! She did say she doen't think I don't like her (!) but that I'm angry and she hopes I let go of my anger...squit squit squit." Then she said "do you hate me?" I was tempted to say yes but I just said no and that was the end of it for now. I'm sure I'll get another round of it in 6 months or so.

OP posts:
Goldmandra · 13/04/2014 12:10

I'm sure I'll get another round of it in 6 months or so.

You think she'll wait six months?

Hissy · 13/04/2014 12:12

Please just stop replying!

She's getting a feed just from you answering back. Stop supplying her the fix she needs. It's all manufactured drama.

Hissy · 13/04/2014 12:15

She'll only now have ample 'proof' to show others how nasty you are TO her.

She'll conveniently 'lose' HER texts to you...

CailinDana · 13/04/2014 13:59

Oh I know hissy. The last text was "when I die you can send a condolence text to mum or maybe not"
I replied "right ho"
Upon my honour I shall not reply to any other texts.

OP posts:
Hissy · 13/04/2014 14:04

Oh ffs! What an insufferable twat she really is!

If you do ever reply to her again, I will hunt you down and give you the worst wedgy you've ever had. Deal?

CailinDana · 13/04/2014 14:10

Deal

I have to admit I was enjoying the idiocy somewhat. She really is incredibly manipulative.

OP posts:
Anniegetyourgun · 13/04/2014 14:24

Sisters should be there for each other. That's only right and proper. The bit that doesn't work in this case is the "each other", as it only ever works one way, doesn't it? As it is supremely unlikely she would go so far as to spit on you if you were on fire, there is no "each other" in this scenario at all. What she actually means is " you should be there for me ". And by extension your husband has to be her friend, your children have to somehow magically love her, and your house has to be open to her any time she needs a pad to flop in. Um, no, that isn't what sisters being there for each other is all about.

ps loving your last (ever?) reply - a great note to go out on.

Nomama · 13/04/2014 14:44

I loved your last response. Made me smile... maybe you should leave it there, but if you have to reply again, something similar would be best.

Think Bertie Wooster, 2 words and a smile!

Wot ho Smile

Goldmandra · 13/04/2014 14:52

Turn your phone off or block her number. You won't achieve anything by continuing to engage other than giving her evidence that you are victimising her.