what to do with sibling codependency?
My younger sister and I have been codependent with each other for about 8 or more years now. I am now 30. We never got along growing up, but things changed once she got into high school, and I was in college. She started struggling, and I seemed to be the "stronger" one; so I always tried to meet her needs, even if she treated me badly. I wanted to believe she could change, and would forgive her, but the cycle continued. When she had a legitimate need, that I could not fulfill, she would verbally abuse and manipulate me. This year, I decided to finally set boundaries... that I hadn't set before. Of course there was lash back... not only from her, but my parents. I grew up being her emotional parent, when they should have been. But now that we are living closer to each other (in another country), and far away from my parent... they expected me to be there for her whenever she was struggling... even if I was struggling with my own issues. Since she didn't respect my boundaries, I stopped trying to make things work between us, and for the first time, I've been focusing on myself and it feels great. Recently, she pulled me aside at my church, and confronted me. She said that she was lonely, from not being with me for two months. She said she realizes that I acted like her mother, and that I denied myself... but that it was actually a blessing because she grew because of me. She wants us to rediscover the good things from our past and reconcile (I honestly don't remember anything good from our past). So she said we need to go get counseling together (we are both already going separately). I said I need to think about it... her response was, that I need to fight for love... and that she cannot grow in her relationships with others, until she works it out with me. I felt like she was saying, that her happiness and growth is dependent on me. I felt manipulated... I too want reconciliation... but is this the best way? Is it better to have our distance? My sister has followed me wherever I go, since she got out of high school. I just want her to take responsibility for her self; while for the first time, I'm focusing on myself. However, I keep thinking maybe counseling could be good... but I don't know what she expects from it... and I don't know if I have the energy for it.
Posted Oct 28, 2017, 9:05 AM UTC · edited