Supporting an adult sibling to enhance the sibling relationship
J, an adult sibling, needed help wth her relationship with her disabled sister. She was finding it very difficult to say no to her sister's increasing demands on her and to cope with her sister's aggressive behaviour towards her. The relationship with her sister was causing her considerable stress. J had asked the staff at her sister's care home for help with this however they were also expecting J to give in to her sister's unreasonable demands.
Your advice has enabled me to take control of the situation with my sister and my relationship with her has changed miraculously. I feel much closer to her and will phone and visit without any problems now.
J had a one to one phone support call with our sibling group development officer. During this call her feelings about the situation were acknowledged and she was reassured that she had a right to be respected by her sister and by the staff at the care home. She was able to talk through options for how to talk to her sister and her sister's carers, and to make a plan for taking action on this. She had a follow up call three weeks later to find out how things were going, and to discuss any further action that she could take.
Things in the sibling relationship changed for the better for J and her sister. J got in touch to tell us: 'I am writing to thank you for your support and advice you have given me with the problems I had with my sister. When I first called Sibs it was the first time I had spoken to anyone and it was marvellous to know someone understood. Your advice has enabled me to take control of the situation with my sister and my relationship with her has changed miraculously. I feel much closer to her and will phone and visit without any problems now. Again, thank you for your words, kindness and understanding.'
