How can I get my sister to listen?

Question

I know I might sound like a brat posting this but I really need help, my sister doesn't listen to me at all. When I try and tell her something she always automatically presumes she is right. I basically have no say in anything at all, it's like I should have no opinion at all. She always overshadows me and looks down her nose at me, she is only a couple of years older than me but acts like shes my mother half the time. Its like she expects me to be just like her but I don't want to be and I want to make my voice heard but I don't know how to do this.

Half the time she doesn't even know who I am and just expects me to be a little clone of her. Whenever I try and explain how I am feeling she just gets annoyed and we end up fighting and yet she expects me to back her up when she has a fight with someone else, she is so bad I sometimes feel that I should just hit her to make her be quiet so I can speak (I have never done this before though).

How do I get the point across that I want to be my own person and that she should just accept that?

Answer 1

She is over confident, that's why she does not like to give weight to your words. Tell your parent to all this story in nice way. They will definitely help in this regard. and I am sure that you will be given the proper respect.

Answer 2

buy her something she likes first and talk to her nicely.

Answer 3

she probably just is arrogant and needs to be shown that she isnt so "intellectual" as she thinks she is.

but in a nice way.

Answer 4

Why do you have to tell her this? Just be your own person! She can't stop that, and eventually she'll see you for who you really are. You don't have to get her approval, just so that you can be you. She's your sister, she'll love you no matter what.  

Answer 5

If you want to be your own person than you need to make your own friends and find your own way. She may need time to wrap her head around the fact that your not a fighter. That you don't need to be involved with her argument. Maybe you should walk away when she starts behaving this way. Find your own way. Find your own friends. She may see that having a sister that is her own person is a reflection on her, even though your different people. And she may find out that it's more fun to get along as individuals than argue over things that don't really matter in the end.

Answer 6

Cell_frau, is so obviously that blokes sister.

No seriously, it maybe because you are better at things than her [you may be more intelligent or better at sport] but she may feel that the only thing she has over you is her maturity.

If this is this case it may be slightly understandable that she treats you in this way.

It can be stopped but maybe you, just maybe you could be slightly arrogant which could really p**s her off. [It pisses me off, trust me]

Hope this helps.

Answer 7

Can I say something?

Answer 8

I can connect to your situation. My sister tends to have a "logical" answer for everything, as if she's had an incredible life experience and can answer or put down anything you ask or tell her. I'm pretty sure most of what she says is BS, but I can never find a way to disprove her on the spot. Also, sometimes I try to tell her something and she tunes me out by humming or doing some other obnoxious things to show she doesn't care.

Well, it sounds like you and your sister are relatively young. I can honestly tell you that you shouldn't be worrying too much about getting your sister's attention. Go out, make friends, and be happy. Don't keep focusing on what your sister thinks of you as opposed to the many other people out there who will actually listen to you. Sure, you're FAMILY, but currently your sister sounds like a princess and she apparently doesn't care whatsoever. Plus, you shouldn't unwillingly do things as attempts to get closer to her such as backing her up in a fight, especially if you're getting nothing out of it and also if you don't really believe in what you're defending. It's important for YOUR voice to be heard. Mostly, don't worry so much about you and your sister's relationship, as it will eventually fall into place and you'll both mature and realize how important it is to have each other. But for now, find some reliable friends who sincerely care, will listen to you, and won't put you down. Siblings are supposed to fight and argue at some point, and sometimes these disputes will happen more often than others'. But believe me, you'll have some good and some bad, and through all the bad times you'll be grateful for the good.

Answer 9

tell her your going to sell her set of encypedia's and if she asks why, tell her that since you know everything you assume she doesn't need them anymore. Keep intrupperting her when she talk and if she tells you to be quiet, you tell her NO, you be quiet. I have something to say and your going to listen to me. and don't back down.

Answer 10

I've had this exact same problem since i could talk...a good 15 years. My sister acts the same way and my mom usually backs her up on it. I kind of get ganged up on in my family.

Bribes don't work, she justs expects you to keep getting her stuff (like with a dog, they do a good thing and they get a treat...they're trained that way. it doesn't work with family members.) The way i find that works best is making her feel guilty, i know...it's a low blow, but nothing else works, she likes the sound of her voice and she like her opinions more than she likes listening to me. Making her feel guilty works for a month or two but then you have to do it again, i have yet to find a permanent solution.