Is it just me?
or am I being over sensative?
My brother has som ekidn of virus or soemthing and so isn't able to visti my sister, as he ahs been once or twice a day. I think this is too much, and done'st alow her to get into any kind of routine where she is but is always being disrupted by his visits.
Anyway, because he is sick he claled and asked if I could visit her today,e ventho Ihad visited yesterdy and plan to tomorrow, but I had just had a tooth pulled and wnas't in the mod to do anything. It was sore and bleeding, etc...
So he is asking me about my dentist, and such. Idid't want to talk but I told him I would probably need an implant because the tooth I lost was on my chewing side since the other side didn't have teeth that met wel, or properly for chewing. A long discusson then went on about hwo much it would cost, which I don't care since I ned it and can afford it. He was then askign about who my dentist was and tht hsi dentist he had thru medical, which I had only recently gottenon MEdical, was a good one and I should look into it and not have to pay for my dentist any more.
I guess he is right if I dont have to pay for it, problby shouldn't.
So an horu or so later he calls back to tell me howmuch an implant would cost and he found a dnetist in our town that would do it for cheaper than average. I had also looked up the prices so ddint' need him to do it for me. Stil I took the number, it wont' hurt to price shop for it.
Now it is10:30 at night and he calls and asks me about my tooth brush, and if I use an electric one because they are suppsoed to do a better job of cleaning. I told him I use a regular brush and i brush my teeth fine. he persists and says that he might buy me an electric one and would I sue it if he did. I didn't really know if I would or not I am used to brushign my teeth the way I brush my teeth.
He continues on about hw I seem to be having problems with my teeth, and I said not any mroe than is normal, but he presists and keeps pressing about how my teeth arne't nromal, and I'm gettingmroe and more frustrated. What is this? Why is he pressign me about these things? I am an adult and have been talking care of myself and paying for myself for over 40 years. This ismuch longer than he ahs been taking care of himself since he had my parents doing everything for him until they passed 13 years ago.
Then I tell him I have had bad teeth my whole life and have been taking care of him then he starts argueing with me about how that isn't normal. I tell him it is normal for me, but againhe persists and is tellingme that it ins't normal for most people. I did nto wnat to argue any more so I jsut said, ok Keith, good bye and hung up.
Am I being too sensative or is he being too invasive and conrolling, tryign to fix me or desicd things for me. IT isn't as if he has cared at all most of our life hwo I was or what I'm doing. What gives?
I realy don't want to have anything more with him that is absulutelly necessary. Now he is bothering me about my teeth, and how I take care of them. Why can't he leave me alone.
I wil cal his dentist the next time I need one and see if I can get in using medical and so nto have to pay anything. That just sems like the smart thing to do.
Replies
No, you're not being too sensitive. It's wonderful that your brother is offering to help. But, he is ignoring your signals to stop; questioning your choices, after you've explained them; and repeating patterns of disregard for your independence. It makes sense that you're unhappy about him not respecting your boundaries.
Regarding the "why" behind his behavior.... Sometimes in families, especially after the death of central figures like parents, unresolved dynamics float to the surface. One sibling starts "parenting" the others, even if they're not asked to. Others feel pulled into roles they never agreed to. It sounds like your brother has slipped into a role where he feels the need to "fix" things - possibly to feel more in control. He, like you, has a family member fading away. He can't control your sister's decline, so he may be trying to control yours. That doesn't make it right, of course. But, perhaps more understandable.
My heart goes out to you and your brother. I watched my dad's decline, due to vascular dementia. One thing that helped calm him was listening to music - specifically, the music he liked "back in the day." You might consider that, if you haven't already.
Best wishes.