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Managing relationships

Sister relationship + ADHD reactivity

Sister relationship + ADHD reactivity

So today I lost my temper at my sister and I need advice on how to approach a resolution, as RSD and ADHD make it hard for me.

Backstory, she and her kids are living with us due to relationship breakdown, and there is a lot of things that are annoying about that which I just grin and bear it - that’s life!

but today, we had agreed and confirmed she would have my child to take care of her while I work from home (stressful white collar job that often sees me in 6-7 hours of meetings and you are not allowed to be child caring at the same time). So when I went downstairs she announced she was leaving soon and might leave my child here for an hour or two while she took her daughter to swimming - if it was ok with my daughter (6yo). I answered that that would be ok today because I didn’t have morning meetings but if my workday was similar to my schedule the day prior that actually wouldn’t work (I.e. not really up to her or my daughter based on what we agreed) . She didn’t really say anything just looked at me. I then rushed to get my younger child ready so I could drop her off and be back (presuming she needed my car with the extra seat in order to take her two and my eldest).
When I got in the car she asked if I was leaving, I said yes to drop my youngest off, and then I realised she was going to leave, and I said, you’re not leaving my kid here unattended right? She said aren’t I just going 2 minutes down the road? And then ‘I told you I was leaving in 10 minutes’ - I impulsively got mad.
even though I raised my tone and volume I wouldn’t call it yelling but it clearly caught her off guard, and said that’s not up to her to leave my kid here unattended (pretty shocked at that), nor was it ok that earlier deciding that if it’s ok with my child (rather than asking me) that she could stay while I worked.
And she then said she had mentioned leaving her (and I said well I didn’t hear that - this is where I start to doubt myself because the ADHD makes it hard to recall) to which she said ‘yeah you didn’t!’ In an equally angry way, and instead of continuing the discussion stormed off- then I said ‘ok ‘mum’ walk off then - because conflict avoidance is something she’s terrible at

I think we both misunderstood each other a lot and although I was quick to anger I don’t think it was without merit. I feel as though when things inconvenience her she is happy to not help out as much or take an easier path, and it feels that is coming at my expense (like allowing my daughter to stay here when I’m working which ultimately leaves her in my care, which is the whole point of having someone else do it while working)

when crossing paths next I said let’s have a cup of tea later and we can chat. To which she said there’s nothing to talk about really she had things to do and I had to work.
she’s now gone elsewhere for the evening and seems to be avoiding me.

I can’t let issues stand I have to talk them out, she seems to want to give me the cold shoulder - but then o have to put up with this in my own home.
how do I get this resolved, knowing my RSD and ADHD will make it hard for me to stay level in an argument.

the other hard part is that because of the way I reacted I will be the bad guy. I want to apologise for getting mad the way I did but without pretending like there aren’t any other issues at play.
I feel often like the bad guy with my family and I also won’t be surprised if she’s at my mums house currently who has previously told my sisters to ignore me and does not support resolutions.

7 replies

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In response to: Sister relationship + ADHD reactivity

Re: Sister relationship + ADHD reactivity

Tell me about it! I had something similar happen yesterday and we are still not talking. I flew off my handle and sent her a very directed angry message. I have not spoken to her since. I'm still angry when I think about it.

We usually live in our own houses but we have travelled interstate to visit my parents.

I'm saying that what I said wasn't hurtful, but it wasn't without merit either.

@ItsC0mpl1cated , sisters have their own relationship boundaries. They are different from the conventional. This is what I think. So even though there are ruptures, deep down, we know we care about each other.

You have opened the door to speak. Continue to have that door open to see if she steps through it. Otherwise, is so more open to text based communication?

In response to: Re: Sister relationship + ADHD reactivity

Re: Sister relationship + ADHD reactivity

I’m not sure I’ve messaged her to say come talk but we will see! Thanks for sharing in my commiserations.

I hate this premise that the second someone gets angry anything they have to say is invalid. And the cold shoulder is juvenile in my opinion.

But the ADHD makes it hard because you realise you flew off the handle somewhat that the shame over that sets in too.

So frustrating!

In response to: Re: Sister relationship + ADHD reactivity

Re: Sister relationship + ADHD reactivity

Totally! @ItsC0mpl1cated

I feel shame I 'lost it' at my sister, at the same time, if it happened again, I'd probably do the same thing. And I did it in front of other people.

She hasn't spoken to me and I haven't spoken to her. We don't normally have these but we are 'stuck' in the same house and it's killing both of us. The kids are off the charts, my sister's hubby is doing my head in... I just can't wait to have my space.

So yeah, the cold shoulder is defo not ideal. I just feel I need space. I've lived over 10 years on my own.. to be hemmed in for a few weeks is a challenge!

@ItsC0mpl1cated , deep down, do you think your sister cares?

You know how they say, blood is thicker than water?

In response to: Re: Sister relationship + ADHD reactivity

Re: Sister relationship + ADHD reactivity

Looks like it will be the cold shoulder for me all weekend lol!

In response to: Re: Sister relationship + ADHD reactivity

Re: Sister relationship + ADHD reactivity

Let me guess.. this has happened in the past? What 'warmed' her up so she opened to you again? I can see you have tried.

I wonder if she is someone that just needs 'time' to get over it?? @ItsC0mpl1cated

In response to: Re: Sister relationship + ADHD reactivity

Re: Sister relationship + ADHD reactivity

@tyme oh definitely needing your space is a huge part of the cause for likely both yours and my outburst haha!
we’re only human and we make mistakes.

but your perspective has made me think maybe, despite the fact that I’ve reached out and a continued cold shoulder feels like a directed punishment for me, space might be exactly what she needs.

It’s likely that when she scoots off in the morning I won’t see her at all for the next four days over the long weekend.

then my dilemma will be, do I allow it to sweep under the rug, or do I force the discussion.
my bias for forcing the discussion is two fold, firstly, I have that desperate need to get my point across (ADHD, anxiety etc) I’d rather not be the villain, a little middle ground would make me feel better

but also secondly, if no one learns a damn thing out of this, the likelihood it happens again is so much higher, resolution and reflection are the only ways to truly move ahead. But if both parties aren’t willing, it’s probably more stoking the fire…

she 100% cares and if I didn’t say another word about it it would surely be a distant memory in a few months time.

what about you, does talking it out help you guys or just result in another feud?

In response to: Re: Sister relationship + ADHD reactivity

Re: Sister relationship + ADHD reactivity

My sister and I are talking. As of last night after posting to you. Do we bring up the discussion again? No, because I said what was needed in the message I sent. @ItsC0mpl1cated

So I know she is careful now.

So for us, we don't normally bring it up. I think we both know what we did 'wrong'. And yes, I still don't take back what I said because it was true. I just said it in a not-so-nice-way

However, to external people (not family), yes, I would definitely have a meeting to talk it through.

So yeah, I can't say i would or wouldn't talk about it because it depends on who it is.

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