My sister keeps borrowing money from our 78-year-old dad – but never pays back

DEAR DEIDRE: MY sister keeps borrowing money from my 78-year-old dad and my brother, who is 49 – but she never pays them back.

She also begs for cash from her own 22-year-old son, who is a student. I’m the only one she doesn’t dare ask.

I’m a woman of 47 and my sister is 45.

Nobody in our family has the guts to stand up to her because she’s so volatile and has a terrible temper.

She was spoiled as a child and has never had anyone say no to her.

I want nothing to do with her, but I can’t walk away from the rest of my family.

Her son is too scared to refuse her as she becomes so mean. I really feel for him.

And my dad is a pensioner who doesn’t have a lot of money.

I’ve had enough of everyone tiptoeing around her to keep the peace.

It’s time she was told a few home truths.

I’m just not sure how to go about it.

DEIDRE SAYS: Your sister sounds like an emotional and verbal bully.

Her volatility is a way of getting what she wants. Tell your relatives to stop lending her money.

The more they give her, the less likely she is to live within her means.

Advise them to deal with her angry episodes by simply walking out of the room. She will soon tire of talking to four walls.

My support pack, Standing Up For Yourself, will help you to talk to her.

You can also contact familylives.org.uk for advice.