My sister (late 30s) has recently given birth to a baby who is probably affected by Down syndrome. There will most likely not be a father in the picture. She also has an 8 y.o. daughter from a different, also absent father. They live at my mother’s house in a small town. My sister has a story of emotional instability and I often fear for my niece and nephew. My sister was molested by my father when she was in her late teens. She is extremely dependent on (and at the same time hostile to) my mother. My mother (divorced), in turn, is struggling to help her and the little children, while having to deal with lack of money and her own (physical) health issues.
I (male) am the middle child, 8 years younger than my sister. I´ve lived in a big city for the last 6 years. I´m economically independent (yet also struggling) and starting a career in academia. I feel that if I don´t go back to my home town and help my family, things will deteriorate further. On the other hand, my chances of professional growth would be reduced by moving back there. Do you think a sacrifice of this sort is the right thing to do?
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posted by Basque13
on Mar 19, 2013 -
31 answers
My sister's boyfriend is older than our father. He is more than twice her age. It (he) makes me uncomfortable and it is driving a wedge between us. I'm not sure how to communicate my feelings about this to her or if I even should.
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posted by Evstar
on Nov 29, 2012 -
52 answers
My sister is pregnant. I am psyched. Help me be an awesome and supportive sister and aunt!
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posted by kat518
on Sep 6, 2012 -
12 answers
Estranged from my sister because of her wedding and personality. To make this right or cut off my narcissistic sister.
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posted by sweltering
on May 13, 2012 -
32 answers
Are there any good books about unhealthy competition between sisters? I want further insight into my older sister's negative impact on me and our other younger sister. I have not been able to find anything on the subject. Books about competition in families where scarcity was an issue during childhood would also be welcome. Thank you.
posted by Ventre Mou
on May 5, 2012 -
6 answers
I'm worried that my little sisters may be in an abusive situation, but don't know what's really going on or where I should go from here.
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posted by whalebreath
on Apr 26, 2012 -
18 answers
My sister cut herself off from me over a year ago, and I'm still hurting. Any advice over getting over this at last?
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posted by anonymous
on Jan 27, 2012 -
17 answers
Should my girlfriend (26) of 2 years and I(26) become legal Guardians of her sister (15)? I intend on marrying her but I am not sure if I want to get this involved or intertwined into her family life, maybe not yet.
We are in Southern California, if that matters.. just to give you a setting..
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posted by BigK
on Jan 25, 2012 -
23 answers
After 4.5 years my sister's partner is asking her to leave him. It could be they are just having a fight, or it could be that this is really the end. Do I tell her my opinion (I've never liked him and never will, and she should run while she can) or do I hold my tongue?
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posted by skauskas
on Nov 19, 2011 -
44 answers
How do you learn to get along with family members (blood-related and by marriage) with whom you apparently have nothing in common?
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posted by anonymous
on Oct 26, 2011 -
50 answers
Is it ok to choose to (temporarily) not interact with my depressed teen sister? What's the best way to provide very distant support?
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posted by ad4pt
on Sep 12, 2011 -
43 answers
Help - I need help with presents (or should I even give them?) - 1. co-worker, 2. sister!
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posted by needlegrrl
on Aug 18, 2011 -
6 answers
How long is reasonable for a world-traveling sister to drop in and live with us (a family with small children)? And how do I gently help her to go? Am I being the family jerk?
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posted by radagast
on May 12, 2011 -
45 answers
I'm looking for translations for the phrases "little sister" and "little brother" in any language you might know. I'm interested in both literal translations and any affectionate slang-y translations. Many thanks!
posted by ersatzkat
on Apr 15, 2011 -
53 answers
My sister will not stop discussing her non-traditional sex life. It's the only thing she ever talks about, regardless of who's on the other end of the conversation. It's alienating me and others in her life. Should I say something?
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posted by anonymous
on Nov 8, 2010 -
40 answers
I need your help quickly, hive mind! I have two free tix for a professional hockey game tonight given to me by the Big Brother/Big Sister program to be used with my little sister.
Little just called and cancelled.
Can I use the extra ticket for a friend instead?? I have been trying to get in touch with staff, but it's weekend and don't have any home numbers. Not sure of the protocol for this. Worried it might look bad even if it would be ok in this instance.
Thanks much in advance! :)
posted by foxhat10
on Nov 6, 2010 -
18 answers
When you feel that you are no longer important to a sister, should you try to forget her?
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posted by striving
on Oct 31, 2010 -
33 answers
My only sister embezzled money from me. She stole the money I was sending monthly to support our mother, I am deeply hurt and I am having problems dealing with my feelings of anger, frustration and desire for revenge. Do you have any suggestions?
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posted by dupedyestafada
on Oct 10, 2010 -
18 answers
seeing 10 year old sister for first time in over 4 years, help me figure out what to say/how to act!
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posted by anonymous
on Sep 6, 2010 -
17 answers
My 38 year-old sister is a bit of a train wreck. A dog-obsessed train wreck. How can I help?
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posted by anonymous
on Sep 1, 2010 -
26 answers
It's my sister vs. leukemia, and leukemia, it seems, may win. Muddled questions from a muddled brain inside.
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posted by buzzkillington
on Aug 24, 2010 -
30 answers
My youngest sister has been married less than a year, is ten weeks pregnant, and just left her husband. How do I help her?
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posted by operalass
on Aug 10, 2010 -
19 answers
special needs filter: how do I help my high-functioning sibling gain independence? what have your experiences with special needs siblings been like?
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posted by elephantsvanish
on Jul 22, 2010 -
4 answers
My younger sister is moving in with her future-fiancé. How to mark this passage, and what house-warming gift to buy them?
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posted by SebastianKnight
on Nov 7, 2009 -
7 answers
I am looking for translations for the words "twin" and "sister". I have used babelfish and other sites but really want the pronunciation not just foreign writings I can't decipher. Also, translations in other languages not listed such as different Native American tribal translations. Help?!
posted by madmamasmith
on Oct 14, 2009 -
24 answers
I'm going to sing a song for my sister at her wedding, but can't find any good songs about sisters from brothers; most are from sister to sister. Any suggestions?
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posted by KantGoOn
on Sep 27, 2009 -
18 answers
My parents split about a year ago. My father has started dating under unusual circumstances, and it makes me somewhat angry. Am I overreacting? How can I find peace with the situation?
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posted by anonymous
on Aug 4, 2009 -
32 answers
Hey, my sister is turning 21 and she just finished a 4-year undergraduate degree and has been accepted in Med School in the fall. What cool gift can I get her (possible Med School related)
Thanks
posted by happydude123
on Jul 23, 2009 -
30 answers
How can I avoid straining the relationship between my girlfriend and her sister, who disapproves of us? Also, what are some good religious / psychological / philosophical texts to help me understand and (gently) argue against the sister's point of view: that my girlfriend and I are living in sin by having sex out of wedlock?
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posted by radiosig
on May 13, 2009 -
38 answers
Where should I take my mom and sister for a week of family bonding and exploring?
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posted by brynna
on Mar 5, 2009 -
7 answers
How do I deal with my parents on limited resources without sending all of us into a fit? (likely to be TL;DR)
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posted by divabat
on Feb 20, 2009 -
13 answers
How do I connect with a half-sister who is only six years old? Details of our estrangement and additional background inside.
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posted by snapped
on Feb 18, 2009 -
24 answers
Looking for songs with a positive theme about sisters or female friendships for a cd I'm making for my sister's birthday. Also, she's going through a rough transition with a breakup, so other female-centered songs about positivity or independence would be wonderful.
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posted by potatopeople
on Dec 19, 2008 -
28 answers
Holiday gift giving dilemma: I have two half-sisters. One always thanks me for gifts. The other rarely does. How to remain on good terms with both, but not feel like a chump?
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posted by anonymous
on Dec 12, 2008 -
21 answers
My brother-in-law's domestic abuse is tearing my family apart and I really don't know what to do or how to handle the situation anymore. I need some advice.
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posted by csimpkins
on Nov 26, 2008 -
54 answers
