My sister is getting on my last nerves [rant/needs advice]

smartandtrim
smartandtrim Posts: 123 Member
edited December 20 in Chit-Chat
My sister has always been difficult. When she was little, she had a lazy eye that caused her massive migraines, which meant my parents let her get away with anything. Now she's 14 and the worst human being I know. My parents got divorced this year, and she is he only one who sees it as some sort of "war". It was an amicable divorce, my parents still talk, they just don't love each other (and both have mentioned in confidence to me that she is one of the major reasons the divorce happened). She, however, has decided she hates my mother, will not speak to her, and speaks openly of only using her so she can go ride at the stable near my mom's house. She has made this year very difficult for my mom at work (she attends the school my mom teaches at) and nearly lost my mom her job.

We sold the house, and I'm living with my dad for a while. She also lives there. Every day I have been here she comes down from her room (where she stays all day) screams at me for being a leech, tells me I'm on mom's side and only here for the internet connection, and is generally nasty. She mocks me for going to the gym, mocks me for watching my weight, and threatens to have my dad kick me out. I'm 19 in a month, for the record, and I usually live alone at college.

I go out and do things with my mom when I can because I like spending tie with her. Each time ends in me coming home to my sister screaming and throwing things. My dad (who, by the by, is recovering from cancer) doesn't want to deal with her bull and so just placates her, which makes her worse and more entitled. I love living here, I love my father, but my sister's violent temper (part of the reason she is with my dad is because my parents don't want her near my little brother, whom she has threatened to kill in the past) is making me want to go- and going means I will rarely, if ever, see him.

She's a nasty, spoiled brat. She's in therapy, but my dad won't let me speak to the therapist to alert her to these issues. I'm losing my mind. What do I do?
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Replies

  • maddymama
    maddymama Posts: 1,183 Member
    I am so sorry that your sister is bothering you. She sounds like a piece of work and it sounds like a good thing she is in therapy. It is a shame that other people let her act like that.

    Now, in my honest opinion, she can only treat you how you LET her treat you. Make it clear you won't tolerate the nasty and immature behavior, walk away, move out, go live someplace else. Don't do anything for her, but do protect yourself. Life is tooo short to live with someone like that.
  • TylerJ76
    TylerJ76 Posts: 4,375 Member
    She needs help, that is obvious. Probably a lot more then what she is getting...

    People act out in different ways, it's sad and I feel bad for all you going through this.

    What she doesn't need, is a sister saying the things that you're saying about her
  • smartandtrim
    smartandtrim Posts: 123 Member
    She needs help, that is obvious. Probably a lot more then what she is getting...

    People act out in different ways, it's sad and I feel bad for all you going through this.

    What she doesn't need, is a sister saying the things that you're saying about her

    She is violent. I have bruises over my arms and legs to attest to that. She is cruel- even her therapist is shocked at how she treats our mother. She is unapologetic about her nastiness, cusses and screams at myself and our ill father, and is generally a nightmare.
  • maddymama
    maddymama Posts: 1,183 Member
    Will your MOM let you talk to the therapist about your sister? Or does she not have the ability to OK it if she's not the custodial parent? If your parents talk, can your mom talk to your dad about letting you clue in the therapist?
  • smartandtrim
    smartandtrim Posts: 123 Member
    Will your MOM let you talk to the therapist about your sister? Or does she not have the ability to OK it if she's not the custodial parent? If your parents talk, can your mom talk to your dad about letting you clue in the therapist?

    My mom doesn't pay for the therapist, but I'll have her suggest this to my dad. I actually hadn't thought of that.
  • maddymama
    maddymama Posts: 1,183 Member
    Also, you might want to think about moving out of your dad's house. Would you ask a friend to stay in an abusive house/relationship, or would you urge her to move out and get away? It sounds like your sister is a violent abuser, and you really should think about getting away. I know you like living with your dad, but it doesn't sound healthy for you to be there- in any way, shape, or form.

    Your father is enabling her. You don't have to enable her, too. But it sounds as if you enable her to be abusive just by being there and being a target.
  • smartandtrim
    smartandtrim Posts: 123 Member
    I'd move out if I could, but my mom doesn't have anywhere ot live yet and my granddad has no more room (where my mom is staying). The area I live in has horrific housing prices, so I can't get an apartment now and still afford one when I get back to school.
  • therobinator
    therobinator Posts: 832 Member
    (1) You are over 18, so if you want to contact the therapist and say whatever you want, you have that right as an individual. Whether the therapist will take what you say into account, or talk to you at all, is up to said therapist.

    (2) Hopefuly, the therapist is a good enough one that s/he will be able to discern or discover your sister's issues on her own.

    It sounds like your sister really needs help, and I wish your whole family all the best.
  • rossi02
    rossi02 Posts: 549 Member
    Do you have a friend you can stay with? Since school is out, or soon to be out.. can you get a job that will afford you to find a place with a roommate?

    I suspect since your mother will not let her be around your little brother, they believe her when she says she'll kill him. Why would your dad want to keep that from the therapist?
  • StephiePop
    StephiePop Posts: 34 Member
    I know someone in a similar predicament.
    Their sister is the same. Violent, constantly causing arguments for no real reason, over reacting, etc. She has a lot of mental problems. She is on her medication now so it's not as bad. Your sister will most likely need some sort of prescription to calm her down. The girl I know is now 18 and they just give her a few drinks to shut her up xD But I wouldn't really advise that with a 14 yr old.
    I think the only thing to REALLY help her is finding a therapist that will help her. They aren't all the same, so the one she is seeing might not be the right one for her disorder(s).
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    Can you contact the therapist yourself? Even if it's via letter to the Therapist tell her everything you've told us. The therapist will hopefully then do the right thing and contact your parents to talk about proper treatment for your sister. In the interim, I would steer clear, ignore her, avoid interaction. If you have friends you can stay with go there! Mom needs to step up her game and provide a home for you.

    I hate to see parents not working together for their children's benefit. You say the divorce was amicable....Mom and Dad really need to step up to the plate for both of you and address these issues. It's easy to say let's just divorce and our problems will be gone....but then just leave their children hanging in limbo in the aftermath.
  • Audddua
    Audddua Posts: 176 Member
    I would recommend doing everything you can to avoid her. Try to ignore her and literally lock yourself away in another room if you can. She's probably fishing for a reaction. Maybe if you stopped giving her attention eventually she'd back off on trying to get a rise out of you??? I'd like to think this is just because she's 14, and it will pass, but she may very well be nasty for the rest of her life.

    Also, save up every dime you can to get out of there ASAP. Maybe you can't have your own place, but you could find a room for rent (make sure your new roommates are better than your sis first!!). Does your school have any type of housing, dorms, etc? I bet bare minimum they can help point you in the right direction for affordable housing.
  • TylerJ76
    TylerJ76 Posts: 4,375 Member
    She needs help, that is obvious. Probably a lot more then what she is getting...

    People act out in different ways, it's sad and I feel bad for all you going through this.

    What she doesn't need, is a sister saying the things that you're saying about her

    She is violent. I have bruises over my arms and legs to attest to that. She is cruel- even her therapist is shocked at how she treats our mother. She is unapologetic about her nastiness, cusses and screams at myself and our ill father, and is generally a nightmare.

    Then call the cops?
  • smartandtrim
    smartandtrim Posts: 123 Member
    We recently moved to a new city where I know almost no one and the cost of living is extremely high... the money from my jobs this summer (I work two, plus babysitting) entirely go to making sure I can afford a place to live/food to eat/books next semester. My school is in another state and I'm not taking summer classes (can't afford them) so they can do nothing for me. They've told the therapist she is violent, and they're working on that. I called the therapist and she won't speak to me without my sister's permission, which she won't give. I'd prefer not to call the cops on a 14 year old girl who throws a few elbows.
  • christine24t
    christine24t Posts: 6,063 Member
    Also, you might want to think about moving out of your dad's house. Would you ask a friend to stay in an abusive house/relationship, or would you urge her to move out and get away? It sounds like your sister is a violent abuser, and you really should think about getting away. I know you like living with your dad, but it doesn't sound healthy for you to be there- in any way, shape, or form.

    This is very true. If you were to tell your family you are moving out because your sister is abusive, and actually follow through, it might be a wake up call. It sounds like your sister needs some serious help, more than what she is getting. I know it is almost summer, but is your family in contact with the school counselor to alert them to the issues she is having?

    ETA - Saw you tried to contact the therapist. They can't talk to you about her, but you can talk to them about her. Send them an email or a letter.
  • smartandtrim
    smartandtrim Posts: 123 Member
    She's in private school, so no school counselor. And I can't move out because all of my job money and savings need to go to my living situation and food next year at school.
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,423 Member
    We recently moved to a new city where I know almost no one and the cost of living is extremely high... the money from my jobs this summer (I work two, plus babysitting) entirely go to making sure I can afford a place to live/food to eat/books next semester. My school is in another state and I'm not taking summer classes (can't afford them) so they can do nothing for me. They've told the therapist she is violent, and they're working on that. I called the therapist and she won't speak to me without my sister's permission, which she won't give. I'd prefer not to call the cops on a 14 year old girl who throws a few elbows.

    It sounds like you're in a tough situation. I'd say that all you can do it hang in there until you go to school and at least that will get you out of that complicated situation. Your sister is 14, which I think is the worst age anyway for hormone and behaviour, she is seeing a therapist, so there probably isn't much more you can do.

    Try to keep out of the dynamic between your mum and sister as much as possible - they have to work it out between the two of them. Live your life as well as you can under the circumstances, don't buy into the drama, don't "take sides", just do what you need to do to keep yourself sane and focussed on your life and your education. Good luck!
  • AndiJoy812
    AndiJoy812 Posts: 236
    How about this The next time she is violent, call the police. Sounds like she needs more treatment than what she is getting. Your parents can have her committed to a behavioral unit so that she can get intensive treatment. Sounds like that is what she needs. Just letting her continue with the behavior is not going to help her. She needs help NOW. Putting your hands on someone in anger and making threats against other members of the household is not acceptable. Your Dad needs to grow a backbone - I am so sorry that he is recovering from cancer, but that is no excuse for tolerating this behavior. Somebody needs to be the parent here - she is still a child. Get her the help she needs before she ends up in jail. How far are you willing to go to help? You can also call CPS and file a report. I realize that it can turn into a hot mess, but she is going to end up hurting someone - and then what? You're 19 and a legal adult. Act like one.
  • smartandtrim
    smartandtrim Posts: 123 Member
    How about this The next time she is violent, call the police. Sounds like she needs more treatment than what she is getting. Your parents can have her committed to a behavioral unit so that she can get intensive treatment. Sounds like that is what she needs. Just letting her continue with the behavior is not going to help her. She needs help NOW. Putting your hands on someone in anger and making threats against other members of the household is not acceptable. Your Dad needs to grow a backbone - I am so sorry that he is recovering from cancer, but that is no excuse for tolerating this behavior. Somebody needs to be the parent here - she is still a child. Get her the help she needs before she ends up in jail. How far are you willing to go to help? You can also call CPS and file a report. I realize that it can turn into a hot mess, but she is going to end up hurting someone - and then what? You're 19 and a legal adult. Act like one.

    The police come if you are having homicidal behavior or suicidal behavior. She had neither. My dad still has chemo weekly, as well as other treatments, and working 50 hour weeks, so "growing a backbone" isn't as much of an issue as pure exhaustion. As for CPS, absolutely not, as my brother is adopted and CPS takes away adoptive children first.
  • christine24t
    christine24t Posts: 6,063 Member
    The police come if you are having homicidal behavior or suicidal behavior. She had neither.

    You can call if someone is assaulting others or threatening others. Maybe it is scary to call the police on your own relative, but if she is being threatening, maybe it is what you have to do.

    But if you can't do anything, like the other poster said, you will just have to stay out of it.
  • AndiJoy812
    AndiJoy812 Posts: 236
    First, I want to apologize if I came across as harsh -that was not my intent. I am actually very concerned for your family. It sounds as if a lot of people are making excuses for her behavior...and my concern is what happens if she really does hurt someone? How would you feel if that happened and you did nothing?

    The police will most definitely come if there is a domestic disturbance or if she is assaulting someone. And yes, they can also take her to an ER and put her on a 48 hour psych hold, where they will have professionals come in and evaluate her. If she were to act out of control at all in their care, that is what they do. And as far as CPS is concerned, if your brother is not living in the same home, it is a non-issue. But they could give your family some resources for intervention. I am not one to call CPS - but I am also a mandatory reporter. Sometimes you have to make tough calls.

    I guess the question is what are you willing to do? In this case, there are only a few choices - but you are the one that has to live with the choice that you make. You can ignore it and leave in the fall and not worry about it; you could discuss your concerns in an adult manner with your parents and you all come up with a family plan that is acceptable to everyone; you can email your concerns to her psychologist - because even if she can't "talk" to you, once she has something in writing from you it is documentation of some sort and she has to address it (if she's worth her degree anyway). If you do that, it would help if you are very specific with dates/times/quotes from your sister that makes it appear that you are taking this very seriously and not just making things up. If you do that, you should probably let your Mom and Dad know that you are writing to her; or you can make some phone calls to agencies that can help - like the police or CPS.

    Whatever you do, it is on you. You have to live with the results of your actions and be able to sleep at night. I honestly wish you the best of luck.
  • smartandtrim
    smartandtrim Posts: 123 Member
    We've tried calling the police. Once again, they do not come unless the person is homicidal or suicidal. Especially if that person is a 14 year old girl. She knows what line not to cross and she doesn't cross it. She's been evaluated for mental illness. Nothing. Outside of the home, she is perfectly normal and sweet, so losing control is not an issue. She has a therapist and a psychiatrist. We're trying to fix things.

    I would contact the therapist, but I have no way to get her email address or phone number. I've discussed this in an adult manner with both of my parents, and they know my concerns are real, but they worry about the level of harshness I have towards her/
  • TylerJ76
    TylerJ76 Posts: 4,375 Member
    but they worry about the level of harshness I have towards her/

    I am too.
    She needs help, it's obvious

    You and your family need to get her help, if her current therapist is not helping, then get another. Go to family counseling if need be.

    Things like this take time, and effort for everyone involved. I am sorry that your sister acts this way, I really am. But your level of harshness is painfully obvious, and not helping anyone
  • twistofcain
    twistofcain Posts: 190
    Sometimes, you just have to strangle a b1tch.
  • arickim
    arickim Posts: 137
    call the cops when she is showing her big bad self....haul her off and press charges. she will learn a lesson or i would even knock her down a few notches also.
  • xHelloQuincyx
    xHelloQuincyx Posts: 884 Member
    I'm currently in school for guiding child behavior and child psychology, i could be totally wrong but it sounds like your sister had more problems growing up than a lazy eye. sounds like she was abused (maybe metally?) gah... this probably wont help much, and in my non professional oppinion i would just not let her get away with it anymore. i would just be like 'excuse you, what did you say?" if she didnt revise what she said i would just think of a few things i would say ahead of time that would put her in her place.
    "Your actions and hate speech will no longer be tolerated. you have made it blatantly apparent that you are in need of some form of help. Should your actions not illustrate an improvement, more serious interventions will be required. Do you fully understand me?" is what came to mind. should she just blow that off, i would make her go to counceling with both parents and psyc evaluation alone. 48 hr lock up and she would be begging to come home. once she comes back (if she did) i would just not tollerate any form of disrespect.
  • Speak to a social worker because it sounds like your sister's violent tendencies make her a danger to herself and others. This may mean that she has an undiagnosed psyciatric condition that needs more than just talk therapy.

    Most importantly, you need to speak with your parents calmly and explain that they need to break their cycle of enabling her behavior. They may not want to admit that she's so bad, but let them know that you see her manipulating them and it is not something you want happening anymore.

    Good luck with this summer, though. I truly do hope that your sister is able to get better.
  • korsicash
    korsicash Posts: 770 Member
    YOU ARE AN 18 YEAR OLD ADULT!!!! With this said you do not need your father's permission to alert a health official to a behavior that can cause others OR ones self harm. Do not let her bully you and by the way although she is a teen there is something called assault. Catch it on camera or have someone witness her abusive language and behavior. Get her help before she really goes off the deep end. BTW I get migraines due to a chemical imbalance and I never have threatened to kill, or abuse my family. I even care for my three old son with love and compassion through the blinding pain of a migraine that has me crawling to take care of him. So don't let her use the pain as an excuse.
  • She needs help, that is obvious. Probably a lot more then what she is getting...

    People act out in different ways, it's sad and I feel bad for all you going through this.

    What she doesn't need, is a sister saying the things that you're saying about her

    She's only looking for advice. Please do not judge her or assume that she is exaggerating the situation.
  • TylerJ76
    TylerJ76 Posts: 4,375 Member
    She needs help, that is obvious. Probably a lot more then what she is getting...

    People act out in different ways, it's sad and I feel bad for all you going through this.

    What she doesn't need, is a sister saying the things that you're saying about her

    She's only looking for advice. Please do not judge her or assume that she is exaggerating the situation.

    & I gave advice
    I never said that she is exaggerating the situation
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