Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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

When siblings don't get along, what's your role as a apoyar?

11 replies

Kissami · 30/04/2021 01:29

My long-time partner and his parents and siblings love each other but have a somewhat conflicted relationship. I have known them for many years now and I still can't put my finger on it. The feeling I get is the children a) do not feel accepted the way they are by their parents and b) tried to draw healthy boundaries with their parents early on but they either failed (the parents wouldn't allow it) or managed to do it but it was at the expense of having a good relationship with their parents.

I will elaborate later about the parents, but for now let's focus on the siblings.

They seem to love each other but they do not APPRECIATE each other, which is a new concept for me, honestly (call me naïve if you will). They are very judgemental of one another all while feeling deeply hurt because their siblings do not accept them the way they are. I have known the whole family for many years now and I haven't seen any significant improvements in the relationships. Months go by without getting a call from one of them to meet for dinner or whatever. My partner is the one who makes more errorts to connect comparatively. They never showed any interest in getting close with me either (I was more than willing while they tried quite hard to avoid me).

OP posts:
Kissami · 30/04/2021 01:34

Sorry, typo. I meant "what's your role as a spouse?". Perhaps a moderator can change that?

What I wanted to say is: my partner wants to get closer to them, I am not crazy about them but this is not about me. Should I "help"? Can I? Should I take a step back?
Thank you.

OP posts:
OldWomanSaysThis · 30/04/2021 03:07

Did the parents drive a wedge between each of the siblings? Pit them against each other?

katy1213 · 30/04/2021 03:28

Why bother? Accept it for what it is and let it go.

Monty27 · 30/04/2021 03:32

@Kissami

Sorry, typo. I meant "what's your role as a spouse?". Perhaps a moderator can change that?

What I wanted to say is: my partner wants to get closer to them, I am not crazy about them but this is not about me. Should I "help"? Can I? Should I take a step back?
Thank you.

Are you assuming the role of fixer or your DP? I'd keep well out of it OP.
Allthingspeaches · 30/04/2021 03:38

Stay out of it but support husband emotionally.

SD1978 · 30/04/2021 03:42

Your role is to support your husband regarding his family. Nothing more. Not to judge, unless it directly affects you.

Shoxfordian · 30/04/2021 12:12

Your role is to keep out of it
His family, his relationships, up to him

Flemingshat · 30/04/2021 12:13

Keep out of it. It isn't your job to fix it or be involved , only the two of them can do that.

Kissami · 30/04/2021 12:18

Hello and thanks for your time.

Fixer? Perhaps, I don't know. I suppose it's one of those unhealthy behaviours that are hard to notice when you're the one engaging in it. I worry about the whole situation because it has an impact on my partner's emotional health, and I love him and feel helpless as I don't have this kind of struggles with my family. Things that affects him also have an impact on me indirectly. I suspect I am not giving him the right kind of support and I would like him to work through these issues and be happy. I am not sure I can or should. Hence my question.

For those of you who asked "why bother" or "don't judge", it also affects me in a direct way when I have to sit through family lunch while the siblings work very hard at ignoring me or are uncourteus towards me (saying "Hello" to me half-arsedly for instance, or avoiding conversation with me—this has been their approach with me since day one). At first this was very humiliating as I was young and excited about joining a new family, so I tried harder than I should have to be liked while facing rejection every time. At this point I am at peace with it and see it either as a reflection of the relationship they have with my partner or as me not being liked by them at all, and either way I don't care. I would not be a problem if I DIDN'T have to attend family gatherings and pretend that we like each other, but not attending is not an option. Ugh. This is really is a problem for me. Improving their relationship would be a win/win situation for all.

No, the parents did not drive a wedge I think, or not knowingly at least. I don't think the environment at home was healthy/ happy but there were no big issues such as substance abuse, physical abuse, a broken marriage. I have no idea what happened.

Anyways, it was helpful to know other people's take on the matter. Thanks again.

OP posts:
Shoxfordian · 30/04/2021 12:22

Don’t attend the family stuff then
Say to your partner that you’re not going to go because his family aren’t that welcoming or go to every other one not every time

ravenmum · 30/04/2021 12:22

He can attend if he wants, but of course you can choose not to. They hate you anyway.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page