Poll: Problems with my brother. Am I doing the right thing?

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Ramzal

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Jun 24, 2011
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I feel a bit weird posting about something like this. But I think I want outsiders opinions on this. Anyone I talk to about this are either involved in my life or involved with the situation in general. So I suppose getting a look on it from the outside would give me some insight on if I am doing the right thing or not. And I know, this all sounds out there. Like, way out there. Mars out there. But this is my life.

About three years ago, my girlfriend (Who is my wife now) came over to my loft to spend Christmas with me. At the time, I was living with two people and my older brother. I allowed my brother to live with us over a vote, due to the fact that he was homeless at Thanksgiving time due to not paying rent on his apartment for a year when he moved in with his girlfriend at the time and she was paying for everything. I felt bad for him and said he can move in, and even though he could not pay full rent on his room (I payed 700 dollars a month and he paid 200 a month due to him having a low paying job at the time) and I covered his remainder of 500 for eight months.

Around the time she came, I had a discussion with him about paying more towards rent when I noticed he was buying some good tech for himself. (An iPod, a PS3, some games, and a watch.) He got angry and claimed I was just trying to make things easier for myself. I (stupidly) backed down after he made a point that he hasn?t got anything for himself in a year and I decided to cut him a little more slack and gave him two more months to find a job. By that time tensions were building and I was trying to balance having to work over the holiday, making sure to take my wife out to nice places (She?s never been around NYC before) and keeping my bills paid.

I went to work and left my wife at the loft to relax until I was done with work. Before I left, I mentioned to my brother that my wife had taken some kick boxing classes before, and if he could take her to the kung-fu school we train at and show her around. He agreed and did just that, but he did something I told him NOT to do. I told him to not issue a sparring challenge with her, (He liked to test himself, as do I) out of concern that she?d get hurt. Needless to say, he did it anyway.

When my shift ended, my wife told me what he did and I was going to have a few words with him, but she told me it was fine, since she beat the tar out of him. I let it slide because she asked me to. That she didn?t want me to hurt him any worse than he already is. So I respected that and let it go. After she had left and went back home, I asked my brother what did he think of her in the sense of if he thinks she is a good person. He spouts out ?Eh. She?s kinda big. She can stand to lose some more weight. She is a know it all too. I asked her about training my dog and everything I told her I do is wrong.?

Now, mind you, it wouldn?t be so bad about the dog aspect, if he didn?t full out give his dog a backhand to the face whenever he was upset. His dog weighed about 3 pounds as well. With that in mind, I tried to explain to him that even though she is slightly on the thick side, she runs, she walks horses for her job and trains them, as well doing heavy lifting at her job. He remarked with ?Yeah, but she?s a bit of a fatty. You shouldn?t date those. Find a girl who?s a size 3 or 5. You?re wasting your time stuffing that pig.?

At that point, I had it. I told him to back off and he?s way out of line and I wouldn?t hear anything from someone who simply uses women as a bank or someone to give him somewhere to lived. Of all things, he agrees with what I had just said, and states that ?bitches aren?t worth much else. And if that?s my plan, do it. But otherwise, drop her.? At this point, I get up and started to walk away, heading towards my room and he just kept spitting every insult he can think of on his mind.

I turned around and told him that at least I?m not the one who has a brother who?d rather see him dead and forgotten for all he?s done. This may sounds harsh but hear me out. When we were kids, we had no money, no father and a mother who abused drugs. He ?dealt? with his problems by beating me whenever he felt things weren?t fair for him. From dragging my face across a wooden splintered floor, to attacking me in my sleep at least 5 times a week for the first 12 years of my life, or outright making fun of any aspect of me, just to feel better about himself.

All of that, on top of him disrespecting my wife, and living in my home for 200 dollars a month after I took him out of the cold, I snapped and told him that I never liked him. I tried to help him and do a good thing for my brother, and I was taken advantage of. I had enough of it. I said that he had two weeks to find somewhere else to live, that I don?t have to live with this. He then walks up and says ?That?s it? You?re just bailing on your brother? Whatever happened to blood being thicker than water.?

I told him that doesn?t matter anymore, and the moment he decided to spar with my wife, to put his hands on her even when I told him NOT to spar with her, blood between us is pretty thin. He then pushes me and tells me that I?m picking a girl over him and it?s not that big of a deal. And if he had the chance he?d do it again. That some women just need to get a good hit every once and awhile. (I take this very heavy since I?ve seen my mother being hit my men when I was a kid.) I pushed him out of my way and told him that I have put people underground for less than that, for the sake of Uncle Sam (The military) instructing me to, and if he knows what?s good for him, he needs to back off.

At that point he kicked me and things escalated. Needless to say, it wasn?t a fight he was going to win. In the middle of it he said ?Don?t mess up. You do, and I?ll kill you. And that fat *****.? I lost it. I just thought about all the times he attacked me when I was trying to sleep, or times I?d eat a hot meal, he?d push it onto me and laugh. I had enough of this person demonizing me and I pressed him against the wall, by his neck, using my forearm. He was choking and telling me I was killing him.

I knew that I was, that was the point. I let him go and told him that?s enough. That he?d never be able to kill me, and the next time he attacks me and threatens me and my wife again, he?d better be sure he?s willing to go down himself. Right when I was walking away, he walked over to our weapon shack and picked up his training spear. I told him to put it down, and that if he does this he?s not going to like how it ends. He was walking towards me with it in his hand so I grabbed a katana that my wife bought me for Christmas.

He nicked me, but I turned the katana to the blunt side (And ruined it.) so I wouldn?t hurt him too much. I got him to drop it over a bit and knocked him down. I pointed the katana at him and he kept saying ?do it. Kill me. Do what you gotta do.? Over and over again while crying like a baby. I told him that despite everything he did to me when I was a kid, I was still willing to look out for him. But if this is the way he wants to live, he can do it on his own. I told him that we?re through. I?m not going to jail because of him, but if he ever talks to me again it won?t be pretty.

After that, my roommates came back and I explained the entire situation to them. Explained how he attacked me first, and threatened me and my wife. I told them he needs to go, and things will be okay again. Then told me that I had to leave. That they felt more secure with him than with me. When in reality, the three of them just smoke pot together and watch stupid shows while I wanted nothing to do with any drugs or ?That 70?s show.? (Man that show sucks.) I didn?t ask why, I didn?t say anything else, I just packed my things the next day, paid the last of my bills and moved to my mother?s place for five days until I could catch a flight to Minnesota where I had set up to go to college where my wife was going and made arrangements to move in with a few people in a house for the summer.

It?s been three years since I?ve talked to my brother and my other family members keep calling me (except for my mother. She knows why I don?t talk to him anymore and I explained what happened.) telling me to patch things up with him. They don?t know why things happened the way it did, because they?ve all heard his side of the story and he lies harder than a rug that?s nailed and glued to the ground. That it?s been years, and I should try to fix things with him.
The thing is, I?ve already tried to fix things with him. Five times by my count. It always ended the same way. I?d help him, he?d demonize me over how bad his life is, and how he needs drugs to feel better or ?see the truth in his life? and that I don?t know anything because I?m not him. I?ve tried to be a bother to him and it keeps blowing up in my face. So I?ve decided to cut all contact with him for the sake of some mental peace in my life. But am I doing the right thing? Did I do the right thing to begin with? I feel like this was the right thing for me, that my actions that day were my only option.

(Namely since we lived on the top floor, and the last time I literally walked away from him, down some stairs, he pushed me from them when I was nine, broke my right arm and kicked my ribs bruised.) Should I try to forgive him, again? Even after threatening me and my wife and taking advantage of me? Or should I just keep doing what I?m doing? Or should I call him only to troll?
 

Berethond

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Nov 8, 2008
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Just forget about him.
Well, don't forget about him; just don't have anything to do with him, ever. You can forgive him if you want, but there's no reason that involves talking to him.

I had an abusive brother as well, even though he got over himself and grew up. If he hadn't, though, I would have reacted pretty similarly to you.
 

Gaiseric

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Sep 21, 2008
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Forget about him.

You didn't do anything wrong. Live your life and be happy.
 

Emurlahn

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Jan 13, 2010
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That stuff is not worth it, he is what he is, and he wont be better, expecting him to change is insanity.

Live as good as you can, as far away from him as possible.
 

Robert632

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May 11, 2009
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Normally in these kind of situations, I like to say to try patching things up with the estranged family member yourself.

In this case...not so much. It's not only because your brother is a pretty horrible person (still the biggest factor, mind you) but that you've already tried reconciling with him, and it didn't work. You did what you could for him, far more then I'd think most people would do, and he still acted like a dick to you.

Edit:Has your brother actually at any point tried to reconcile with you? If he ever does, I personally think you should approach it, but with extreme caution. Of course, most people will tell you not to approach it at all, but I'm an optimist, and I'd like to believe that if he tries to approach you for reconciliation(I love that word don't I) that he might genuinely mean it. Most likely he wouldn't, but it's in the realm of possibility that he does.
 

lettucethesallad

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Nov 18, 2009
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No way. The kid's a parasite and you gave him way more chances than he deserved considering how he treated you as a kid. His behaviour is based on the fact that he thinks 'family' is some sort of magic shield that'll protect him from any (in this case highly deserved) resentment from your side. People may say that blood is thicker than water, but I disagree. Family can do pretty horrible things at times and expect this to be ok because you share a certain percentage of DNA.

Cut him off. Ignore people telling you to patch things up. You know what he is. Any extended hand in friendship will lead to him trying to mooch of you again. Don't give him that chance.

I wish you and your wife all the best of luck!
 

Zantos

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Jan 5, 2011
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Stay away from him. Maybe one day if he finds a girl to settle down with and gets a job he might have changed enough to try and reach out to you, and you should give him a chance. But until he makes some major changes it's not worth it, it's just going to keep ending the same way.
 

Avistew

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Jun 2, 2011
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Stay away from him, he's obviously parasitic and causes harm to people around him. If he ever gets his act together and goes to you apologizing and stuff, then I'd consider hearing him out, but at the first sign hat he hasn't actually changed I'd cut all contact again.

If your family keeps annoying you, just tell them what happened, and that you don't want to hear about it anymore.

At the time I'm posting, 100% of the voters have told you to stay away from him. I think it's telling.
 

Ramzal

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Jun 24, 2011
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Robert632 said:
Normally in these kind of situations, I like to say to try patching things up with the estranged family member yourself.

In this case...not so much. It's not only because your brother is a pretty horrible person (still the biggest factor, mind you) but that you've already tried reconciling with him, and it didn't work. You did what you could for him, far more then I'd think most people would do, and he still acted like a dick to you.

Edit:Has your brother actually at any point tried to reconcile with you? If he ever does, I personally think you should approach it, but with extreme caution. Of course, most people will tell you not to approach it at all, but I'm an optimist, and I'd like to believe that if he tries to approach you for reconciliation(I love that word don't I) that he might genuinely mean it. Most likely he wouldn't, but it's in the realm of possibility that he does.
He has made no attempt to contact me, but my family members are trying to get him to do it. Some went as far as to give him my old phone number. But as far as I know, he hasn't tried.

And wow. 100% are saying to stay far far away. Here, I thought I could have been cruel. Or unforgiving in a sense. There went those thoughts. I'd like to tell them what happened, but the majority just go "I'm not trying to choose sides, but he's already told me what happened, so there's no need to hear it again." They have what I call "head in the sand/ass" syndrome.
 
Jan 27, 2011
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Ok, first off...what the hell! This kind of Drama should exist only in the realm of TV. My sympathies, man.

Second...Ok, let's take a quick look at this.
He abused you as a kid (but let's just be nice and let that slide for the moment, since he was a troubled kid apparently.)
He mooched off of you while getting himself nice stuff and drugs
He then sparred with your wife when you told him expressly not to (well...since she can defend herself it's more just an issue of respect, so let's not make a big deal of that.)
He then disrespected you and your wife.
He physically attacked you.
He threatened death to you and your wife.
He CAME AT YOU WITH A WEAPON.
He got you kicked out of your appartment.
He's been trying to turn the family against you.
He's turned down attempts to reconnect and been even more abusive towards you.

AND YOU'RE ASKING IF YOU'RE WRONG IN CUTTING OFF TIES?!?

Look, I'm a super nice and forgiving guy, and I appreciate that you are too, but holy crap...You're way too nice.

I understand that he's your brother and all, but as I bolded in the statement above, the second he came at you with a weapon (either showing the intent to kill, or just not caring if he killed you), you have every reason to never speak to him again. The second he came at you with that spear, any family bond between you got nulled.

You have absolutely ZERO reason to ever associate with him again, and EVERY reason not to. And if he ever calls you for a liver transplant or something, please, for the love of gaming don't do it. He does not deserve any kind of support from you.
 

BigTortoise

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May 26, 2011
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You gave him a chance. Multiple chances. And he still takes you for granted. No use in continuing to deal with him if he isn't willing to meet you halfway.
 

Fooz

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Oct 22, 2010
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man, forget about him, nothing but a low life loser, live your life with your wife and be happy

if he gets his act together and comes to you to patch things up, maybe consider it, as he is your brother, but i wouldnt go near him for a while
 

H20 Pirate

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Dec 20, 2010
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If I were you I'd remove every aspect of him from my life, he sounds like a self destructive person and there is no way fix a relationship with individuals like that unless they fix themselves.

Maybe one day things will be different and he will take responsiblity for himself and his actions, but until that day comes he's just not worth it, live you're life and let him go.
 

The Weaver

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Nov 14, 2010
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You sir are a saint, or insane. Even after he attacked you with a weapon, you still tried to patch things up. While we both have similar problems I can safely say yours is much, much worse. I disdain my brother for lesser reasons. You have been far too kind to him, while he has nothing but a prick.


aegix drakan said:
Ok, first off...what the hell! This kind of Drama should exist only in the realm of TV.

TV Drama is right, and with my (adamantly lacking) knowledge of dramas, you and your brother will eventually have a heartfelt reunion and where you will forgive him and you two have a manly hug, or he will try and kill you!
 

Owlslayer

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Nov 26, 2009
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Wow. Seriously, that's... um. Damn.

Now i feel retarded for thinking that i had problems with my brother. But i was being totally silly about it, it seems.

I think you shouldn't deal with him anymore. Live your own life. You don't need people like that who just wreck shit up. Seems to me you've given him plenty of chances.

But i really hope you didn't write this biased. I mean, you have to have some pretty strong emotions about this matter, so I believe it's hard to write something 100% unbiased. But still, i find you to be right on the matter.

The only thing that made me think was that the room-mates wanted you out of there... were they truly like your brother? And you didn't really say anything about who you are, as in what kind of a person. I may sound mean, but maybe you're some sort of tough guy who often agitates his room-mates by being aggressive? Hell, i have no idea where I'm pulling this out of, and I'm pretty sure you're a nice guy. But i know for a fact that it's hard to see things trough the eyes of other people, and the more emotions there are in play, the harder it is to see the absolute truth.


Gah, i think I'm trying to look things on both sides, but it all seems so... i dunno, don't know the right word. Complicated? Both of you did have a really tough life, it seems.
Either way, you are correct. There's no denying that. That is what i would do. I wouldn't try to contact him ever again. I'm certain you've had loads of time to think over this matter.
You're doing the right thing.

Also, i hope writing this doesn't make me seem like a douche.
 

PurplePlatypus

Duel shield wielder
Jul 8, 2010
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Your brother is an abusive pig, he is a parasite and he will walk all over anyone he can. Kick him to the curb and forget about him because he doesn?t deserve you and you have no obligation to subject yourself to him because he?s ?family?.

Think of it this way; would you take this shit from anyone else in the world and then forgive them, is the word family just a free ticket to get away with anything? Is that what you want family to mean?
 

tharglet

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Jul 21, 2010
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I'd stay far away from him. You've already given him many, many more chances than I would if someone did that to me, but I know it's very hard to turn your back on a relative.
I can understand them preferring you to be friends, but you're prolly just gonna have to ride the storm. Feel free to explain your side, but don't expect them to believe - if he's a nasty piece of work (as he sounds to be) quite often those people are very manipulative in my experience.
If you can, politely acknowledge that they ask you to patch it up, and try to say it isn't going to happen. After that, just ignore the question or them if they're only interested in patching the relationship together. They'll hopefully eventually get the hint.
 

Saladfork

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Jul 3, 2011
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Sounds like you really needed to get that off your chest.

I wouldn't worry about him. Family means a lot, but from the sounds of it he's less interested in being your brother than you are in being his. You have no obligations of any sort to this guy.
 

ultrachicken

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Dec 22, 2009
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Your brother sounds like he sees you as nothing more than a bank account. All of that "you'd turn on me? Your own brother?" bullshit is extremely hypocritical considering the fact that he came at you with a weapon, intending to kill you. Beating the crap out of him must have felt good.

Do not go back to communicating with him. For your own safety and mental well being, keep your ties cut.
 

Norendithas

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Oct 13, 2009
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Ramzal said:
No offense to your brother [though you don't sound like you would], but he's ruined his life and become nothing more than an addicted asshole who can't see things clearly for how they are; who blames everything but him. Granted, it does sound like you two didn't grow up with the best of circumstance, but you seem to have turned out alright despite all his abuse. You tried to help him out in the past, and were extremely lenient from what I could tell. He went and screwed that all up. He became one of those people you don't hang out with because of his destructive nature. In my family, my uncle had a very similar problem..

If things should be patched up between you two, let him cause it. If he deserves a second chance, he might as well come back and beg for one. He sounds like one of those people who thinks they're better than everyone, but in reality is not much more than [Sorry, I am being a little harsh here.] trash. My uncle managed to somewhat turn his life back around and become a pretty nice guy, but he never was able to fix the disconnect with my three cousins or his siblings. Not only did your brother take advantage of you, he insulted your wife, challenged your authority by going against you, and then attacked you once with a weapon and once without. If he deserved what little brotherly respect you gave him before, he definitely didn't anymore. Hell, he probably didn't before.

If he isn't capable of realizing that he's in the wrong [The hell with taking the high road. You already did that.], then he's not helping himself in the least bit. As for your room mates, I'd say find better ones. They don't sound like they're helping much either if they can't see the issue for what it is, or if they're always smoking pot and watching tv.

Leave him to his own miserable life. He's destroyed himself.