Dear Health Guru, Due to frequent uncalled for arguments and unnecessary pinching comments and not-likeable behaviour with myself,I started avoiding talking with elder sister on phone and visiting her place.I feel better without interaction and avoiding meeting her.This is not liked by my father to whom she complained about my not talking to her.As a result,he bullied me which really was upsetting.Recently,my sister visited us and she told me in a dictating voice that I am depressed that's why I don't talk to her.I felt so bad hearing her comment because I told her clearly many times that I don't like her way of treating me and her negative way of behaviour doesn't go well with me so I don't like to listen to her talks. My query--Should I please myself by avoiding interactions with her or should I please sister and father who label me depressed just because I dont like to involve in drama of sister? Please advise regarding my peculiar situation.Thanks for your response in advance.

Ans: I'm sorry to hear about the difficulties you're facing in your family. It seems like you're dealing with multiple challenges, including a strained relationship with your sister-in-law, your husband's unemployment, your in-laws' unwillingness to acknowledge your sister-in-law's depression, and the impact all of this is having on your children.

here are some suggestions that might help improve the situation:

Communication: Try to have an open and honest conversation with your husband about your concerns and the impact his unemployment is having on the family. Express your feelings and discuss possible solutions together.
Seek professional help: Encourage your sister-in-law to seek professional help for her depression. Offer your support and understanding, and let her know that you care about her well-being. If she is unwilling to seek help, you may want to consider talking to a mental health professional yourself for guidance on how to deal with the situation.
Family meeting: Arrange a family meeting involving your husband, in-laws, and possibly your sister-in-law (if she is willing). Share your concerns about the strained relationships and the negative impact on your children. Try to find common ground and work together to establish healthier dynamics within the family.
Establish boundaries: Talk to your husband and in-laws about the need for personal space and privacy. Explain how it's affecting your daughter's social life and well-being. Encourage them to be more open to allowing visitors and social interactions within reasonable limits.
Support for your children: Continue supporting your daughter and son by providing a nurturing and understanding environment. Encourage your daughter to explore her interests and engage in social activities outside of the family. Consider involving them in extracurricular activities, clubs, or organizations that align with their interests to help them build a supportive social network.
Seek external support: If the situation doesn't improve, consider reaching out to a therapist or counselor who can provide guidance and support to you and your family members. They can help you navigate through the challenges and offer strategies for coping with the situation.
Remember that it may take time to resolve these complex issues, and it's important to prioritize your own well-being as well. Take care of yourself and seek support from friends or other family members who can provide a listening ear and advice during this difficult time.

Ans: Dear R,
Obviously your parents have no clue that their over indulgence in your sister and her life is causing her misery. Their relationship is unhealthy and they are unaware of it...things are sure to go downhill until one of them pulls back...in this case, the ideal thing would be for your parents to pull back and cut financial and emotional support till she starts behaving like an adult and become accountable for herself and her life.
Some people just don't want to grow up...and that is because they have parents or parent figures who fill in their every need and fulfil their every want.
This becomes a habit and when they don't get what they want, they will threaten just like your sister does...she basically likes playing the 'child' and hence your parents are never out of their responsibility of parenting...make them aware that it is enough and a tough stance will set her right and help her build her life.
A grown up must be one and just keep the child alive in them...but here your sister just wants to be the child and keep happily playing thar role as the parents are allowing it...kindly intervene and help your parents understand and do the right thing for their daughter...

All the best!

Ans: Start by gently reaching out to her. Since she’s close to your heart and knows your health condition, a sincere, heartfelt message might be the best way to open the door to communication. Write her a letter or a text where you honestly express how much you miss her and how deeply her absence is impacting you. Let her know how important she is in your life, not just as a sister but as a vital emotional support.

Explain that you’re feeling overwhelmed and that your current stress and sadness are affecting your health and your ability to concentrate on your business. She might not realize the full extent of how her not talking to you is affecting you. Sometimes, people need to hear directly how their actions (or inactions) are impacting others.

Make sure to approach her without assigning blame or bringing up past conflicts, if there are any. Focus on expressing your feelings and your need to reconnect. Emphasize your desire to understand any reasons behind her distance and your hope to work through them together.

It might also be helpful to give her some time and space to process your message. Doctors often have very busy and stressful lives, and she might be dealing with her own pressures.

Ultimately, the goal is to reopen lines of communication with kindness and understanding. Reaching out with a genuine, open heart can often be the first step in healing a strained relationship. If things don’t resolve quickly, consider seeking the help of a counselor or mediator to facilitate the conversation.

Take care of yourself, especially considering your heart condition. Surround yourself with supportive friends or family who can help you through this difficult time.

Ans: It sounds like you care deeply for your sister and want to protect her, which is understandable and comes from a place of love. But relationships, especially ones where emotions are involved, can be complex and sometimes require a delicate touch.

Right now, your sister might be feeling hurt and defensive. Even though your intentions were good, the way you and her elder sister approached the situation may have felt overwhelming or critical to her. When she lashed out, it was likely out of pain and feeling cornered.

Sometimes, people need time to process their feelings. Respect her need for space and give her some time to cool off and reflect. When you do reach out, acknowledge her feelings without defending your actions. Let her know that you understand why she felt hurt and that you’re sorry for the way things were handled. Make it clear that your concern came from a place of love and that you still see her as your sister. Assure her that your relationship with her is more important than any disagreement about her choices. Healing takes time. Keep the door open for her to come back to you when she’s ready. Sometimes, a little patience can do wonders.

Remember, what’s important now is rebuilding trust and showing her that you care for her unconditionally.