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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

Cutting people out your life

4 replies

IsChippyMintonExDirectory · 08/09/2014 16:11

For many many reasons that I don't think I have the energy to go into DH and I have decided to cut his toxic and narcissitic sister out of our lives. We have fallen out over the weekend and she is point blank refusing to take any blame for her actions (we've taken blame for ours) and is constantly making personal attacks and insults. This isn't the first time this has happened, but it's about ten times more unpleasant than before. It has broken our hearts that it has come to this, but she is not the least bit bothered about losing touch with us and our DD (her words).

She has 2 teenage daughters, my nieces who we love dearly. I expect them to take their mother's side (she has involved them in the argument) but I still hope they come to see us like they often do on a weekly basis. We also have a baby nephew, but I accept because of his age we won't see him as we'd need to see SIL too. Our daughter thinks the world of her aunty but is young enough to 'forget' her, and SIL isn't fussed about losing touch with her so I think my DD deserves better anyway.

Anyway my question is - how do we cope in a situation like this? DH and I have felt numb all weekend and our heads are all over the place. I've never actively cut anyone out my life before and it's not a decision we've taken lightly. It actually makes me feel sick, as historically we've got on very well with her, but this is one argument too far and the way she has treated us this weekend is disgusting. Her behaviour has become increasingly worse over the last year or so and we've had enough.

She lives round the corner, we are close to the other ILs, I'm not sure we can physically avoid her. I have already come off facebook (can't be doing with cryptic status updates that are being posted, wondering if they're about me, and don't want to rock the boat by deleting her as a friend). We have deletd her number (DH has gone as far as blocking it) and deleted all the unpleasant messages that have gone back and forth over the last few days. I don't want that negatvity in my life.

Has anyone got any advice on how to cope? I just feel quite sick at the moment and incredibly sad over the whole situation. What do we tell family? I know she'll probably spin a story to them to suit her case but even if we could be bothered putting our side across we wouldn't be that candid, it's between her and us. Has anyone done this and made contact again at a later date, which has been successful? If she apologised and admitted she was wrong I'd love to build bridges but she's extremely stubborn and as she said its 'not gonna happen'.

In a word - Help!

OP posts:
CogitoErgoSometimes · 08/09/2014 16:49

You don't technically have to do anything or explain anything to anyone. You've cut off the usual means of communication and you won't be getting in touch so that's the end of that one. If you're feeling wobbly and anxious it's probably because of a combination of being on the receiving end of personal attacks (always upsetting) and then having to stand up for yourself - which doesn't sound like it comes naturally to you if you'll forgive the observation.

How you cope now is to try to put this person out of your mind and stop caring what they or anyone else thinks. Easier said than done, of course, but I'm sure you have plenty to occupy yourself. :) Focus on being a happy family unit in your own right, developing your social circle, earning a living and getting on with your life. Talk and think about much nicer things than horrible sisters. Do whatever makes you happy. Let other people go hang. Live in the present rather than getting anxious about future events that may or may not happen. Work on the basis that this person will not be bridge-building any time soon.

hamptoncourt · 08/09/2014 19:05

I don't understand why you haven't just blocked her from FB? Why is that more confrontational than blocking her number?

I am NC with my DM who lives a few houses down from me. If she sees me on the street she turns her back. I just ignore her. It's all perfectly fine.

It's the best decision I ever made.

Don't involve anyone else or turn it into a huge drama. Just get on with your life and leave her to get on with hers.

CavaSupernova · 08/09/2014 19:32

I pretty much agree with hamptoncourt.
I am NC with various toxic members of my family, because of their argumentative, 'poor me', feckless behaviour and the terrible way they repeatedly treat others.
I found that my problem was with other family who prefer to brush everything under the carpet and pretend everything's fine. I've been scapegoated as a troublemaker and undermining family unity etc. I was ostracised by some people, and at first it was really, really hard.
But it's been three years or so now and it's been worth it for the peace of mind.
PS. I made it clear to toxic rellies' kids that I want to stay in their (the kids') lives and I have no intention of using them as pawns, criticising their parents, causing upsets, sympathy-mongering or any other silliness. That's been fairly successful, and I still have a good relationship with the kids.
This is a tough situation, I wish you all lots of luck. x

Meerka · 08/09/2014 20:37

How to cope right now?

It sounds like you're in a sort of shock both from the argument (the comedown from adrenaline can leave you feeling a bit shocky) and from the sense that something has finally broken irretrievably. Plus the worry of the complicated dynamics. Plus the physical proximity, living just round the corner.

So, expect to feel a bit weird and give yourself time. The fallout will rumble on but the worst of your unnerved feelings will fade over the next few days. Don't expect too much of yourself, just carry on routine stuff. Make sure you eat and drink healthily. Make sure you communicate well between you too.

Habit is a very strong force and you've all been shaken up. Give it time for slightly different family dynamics to reestablish.

What do you say to family? That you've tried hard to be reasonable but that you feel that you can't handle the disagreements any more. That you regret all this has blown up and it's a great pity but that you simply can't take any more. You've tried to mend bridges but it takes both sides. Leave it at that.

You migth be portrayed as the bad guys but your own family's peace and peace of mind has to come first.

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