I’ve always supported my dysfunctional siblings, but I’ve had enough. How can I divorce myself? | Annalisa Barbieri

The Guardian UK Sunday 06 September 2026, 05:00 UTC By Annalisa Barbieri 1 min read

Key Points

You feel guilty because you’ve done ‘better’ in life, but you can’t rescue them. Listen to your resentment and learn to let goI’m a 66-year-old widow and the middle of three siblings. They are struggling with mental health, financial issues, or both.

You feel guilty because you’ve done ‘better’ in life, but you can’t rescue them. Listen to your resentment and learn to let go

I’m a 66-year-old widow and the middle of three siblings. They are struggling with mental health, financial issues, or both. I’m the only one who is doing well in both areas. I’m the only one who graduated high school and college; the only one who hasn’t spent time in jail; the only one who had a successful career and has a comfortable retirement. I help them when asked and appropriate, and do my best to be supportive, even when they continue to make bad decisions.

Recently, my older sister mistakenly texted me intimate pictures meant for the new man in her life. It’s one more disturbing thing in a very long line of disturbing things she’s said and done over the years and I’ve had enough. My world is so different from my siblings’ – it always has been.

Annalisa Barbieri (PERSON)

Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

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I’ve always supported my dysfunctional siblings, but I’ve had enough. How can I divorce myself? | Annalisa Barbieri

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