Upset at sibling's pregnancy

Guest_10454
Community Member

My sister and her husband are having a baby - I am very happy for them as I know it's what they want, and they will be wonderful parents, but for some reason I still feel very sad/worried/panicked/apprehensive, to the point I don't want to see them or the baby at all once it's here. This is nothing to do with jealousy - I do not want kids, at least not yet - and I am unsure why I am having such a visceral reaction to the news. Any insights from people who have felt similar feelings in this situation would be appreciated. Thank you.

4 Replies 4

Psychdiaries2
Community Champion

Hi there,

 

Thanks for your post. While I haven't been in this situation, did want to jump on and suggest you may want to ask yourself why you might be feeling this way. Do you feel sad that this has all happened so fast or that you guys have grown up so fast and she is now at a pivotal milestone in her life? Are you worried if she will be a good parent or if you will be involved as an auntie? (I'm not sure how close you two are). Was it maybe an unexpected announcement? Do you feel like you're missing out on something? It's worth getting to the root of your feelings of sadness and worries. You don't know how you'll feel when the baby is here and perhaps your feelings could change over time so try to wait it out. 

 

Hope this helps,

PsychDiaries

therising
Valued Contributor

A very warm welcome to you at a time where you're trying so hard to make sense of what you're feeling. 

 

I'm wondering if you changed the words 'sad/worried/panicked' to something different, whether those different words could perhaps offer you more insight. For example, does 'grief/concerned/stressed or anxious' offer any further insight? If so, what do you feel you could be grieving? What concerns do you get a sense of? What stresses do you feel may result from the pregnancy or introduction of a baby into everyone's life, including yours?

 

I find sometimes I can get a general or basic sense of what I'm feeling at times. General or basic doesn't always hit the mark, compared with an accurate sense. Sometimes it can take a little while to find exactly the right word that describes exactly what I'm feeling. Wondering whether what you could be feeling is a sense of disconnection from your sister. I'm going back a few decades when I recall that feeling myself, with my own sister. We were kind of two peas in a pod, so to speak. It felt like one of those peas had left the pod to start a new life. Btw, we have a brilliant relationship as 2 gals in their 50s these days.😊

Thank you so much for this, I really appreciate it. I will take your advice / internal questions to ask myself, onboard. And I will see how I feel when the baby is here. Really appreciate your response, thank you for taking the time to do this.

Thank you - I will have a think about this. Really appreciate you taking the time to send a message to me. It means a lot!