10 Times Family Members Turned Life Into a Living Nightmare

Family can be difficult. So much so that they can leave you emotionally drained and stressed. The stories in this article are from Bright Side readers, and they prove that family, especially the difficult ones, are those people who make our lives just a little more dramatic.

1.

When I got married, my cousin decided it was the perfect time to announce her pregnancy — right in the middle of my reception. She made this grand announcement with a toast, stealing the spotlight from my husband and me. Everyone immediately shifted their attention to her, congratulating her and asking about baby names and due dates. I spent the rest of the evening trying to hold back tears, as she basked in all the attention. — @ Matilda Harrison / Bright Side

2.

My cousin has always competed with me unnecessarily. When I bought my first car, she got the same one the following week, just in a different color. Then she bragged about how she got the better deal. When I started a small baking business, she launched her own the following month, with almost identical product design. When I confronted her, she said I should be proud of myself for influencing her and giving her the courage to start her own business.

What got to me was at my birthday dinner; I’d booked a cozy restaurant and invited close friends and family and she dared to show up in a ballgown with custom-made cupcakes with her initials on them. She told everyone it was a soft launch for her business. People were confused. @ Priya Khan / Bright Side

3.

My MIL had a habit of calling me at 2 a.m. to “talk” about her supposed panic attacks. At first, I tried to be understanding, but the calls were relentless and left me exhausted. One night, as I was finally drifting off, my phone rang. It was her, speaking in a panicked whisper about “strange noises” and “someone watching her.” My heart raced, and I was on the verge of calling the authorities when she abruptly ended the call.

A year later, I discovered she had been calling almost every family member at odd hours with similar tales of panic and distress. It turned out she never had any panic attacks; she was simply seeking attention and drama. Realizing this, I finally confronted her, and while she never admitted to the deceit, the calls stopped. It was a relief to regain my peace and set clear boundaries. @ Cam Moreau / Bright Side

4.

My younger brother lost his job and moved in with me, which I was fine with temporarily. But he never helped around the house and spent his days playing video games. When I asked him to pitch in or at least help with groceries, he argued that he was “going through a tough time” and shouldn’t have to contribute. After several heated discussions, I finally had to set a move-out date to get him back on track. @ Arnold Brock / Bright Side

5.

I had been planning a small, intimate wedding for months. A week before the big day, my cousin, who I hadn’t spoken to in years, showed up uninvited. He brought a plus-one, and his “gift” was a gigantic inflatable unicorn. He insisted it was a “great conversation starter.”

It wasn’t. It blocked the view, and by the end of the night, it deflated and collapsed, causing a huge mess. My wedding photos are forever marred by that ridiculous unicorn, and we still haven’t gotten a decent explanation. @ Alessia Wimb / Bright Side

6.

My brother-in-law asked me for a $5,000 loan a year ago, promising to pay it back in six months. He hasn’t paid a cent and keeps coming up with excuses. When I asked for the money, he said it’s my fault for lending it in the first place. His wife defends him, saying I should have known better. @ Amanda Peck / Bright Side

7.

I’ve had this egg allergy for as long as I can remember, and my MIL, Linda, is well aware of it. She showed up at our last family gathering with a “special” cake just for me. I was touched, but the next morning, I woke up with my face covered in painful, red pimples. After retracing my steps, I finally called my MIL, and she said, “Oh, I used quail eggs instead. I thought they’d be safe since you’re only allergic to chicken eggs!”

Turns out, I’m allergic to quail eggs too. Thanks, Linda. @ Lorraine van der Merwe / Bright Side

8.

After her divorce, I told my sister she could move in with me for “just a few weeks.” so she wouldn’t be alone during that time. She showed up with six suitcases and immediately took over the guest room, bathroom, and half the kitchen. After a few days, she started reorganizing my living room furniture, labeling my pantry, and putting my clothes “on better hangers.” She claimed she was helping, but it felt more like she was staging my house for sale while I was still living in it.

Then she made lists of chores, and “suggested improvements,” that she taped one to the fridge with a gold star system. When I asked her to ease up, she told me she was just trying to make this place “liveable.” I’d never wanted to scream into a pillow so badly in my life. @ Priscilla Lee / Bright Side

9.

My grandpa was a perfectionist who couldn’t understand when one of his children was anything other than the best. Once after a race where I had placed second, I stood on the podium and watched him in the stands with his jaw clenched. Later, he walked up to the judges, yelling and pacing as he accused the game of being rigged. “You were robbed!” “They didn’t want you to win.”

But I knew better. The other runner was faster and he’d won fair and square. I stood to the side, pretending not to know my grandpa, as he had his tantrum and watched my mother try to drag him to the car. I never invited him to any other game, but he still showed up though. @ David Adams / Bright Side

10.

My MIL was notorious for meddling in our lives, always convinced she knew what was best for us. One day, she decided our diet needed a serious overhaul. She arrived at our door with a “new and improved” meal plan, insisting that we try it out. Every single dish was just a different, overly complicated version of mac and cheese.

Both my husband and I are lactose intolerant. We politely reminded her, but she waved it off, saying, “A little cheese won’t hurt!” After a week of suffering through her creations, our stomachs couldn’t take it anymore. We finally had to beg her to stop, explaining that her “improved” diet was actually making us sick. @ Samantha Isaacs / Bright Side

We have a never-ending supply of family stories. Like this one stepparent who secretly took drastic action against her stepdaughter’s puppy to protect allergic son.