I have tried for 10 years to get my brother and sister to help with my mother who is very physically disabled. In the past 3 years, it has gotten much worse, and they seem unaffected. She has almost died many times, and I have been the only one there for her. I have always helped with her shopping, cleaning, etc. Recently, she had a very serious neck injury (chronic spinal cord compression) which made her mobility almost zero, and she became incontinent. I changed her diapers, fed her, did laundry, shopping, held her when she cried, everything. All I asked my brother and sister to do was to call her 1 or 2 times per week to keep her spirits up... they could not even manage to do that! She had the surgery, almost died, but did make it through. She is slowly getting a little better, but has been in a nursing home for quite some time. I am moving her to assisted living near me when she gets out. I have asked my brother and sister to help me many times with cleaning out and moving her apartment items. They continue to ignore my emails, texts and phone calls, or make amazing excuses. I have fully given up on my brother and sister to help physically, and really need them to help financially. I keep asking for help, but they keep avoiding me. My new plan is to do everything, and to start keeping receipts and billing them for each and every thing I pay out for my mother. I am tempted to start billing them for a portion of my caregiving hours just to prove a point to them. I have started keeping a log of exactly what I do, and how many hours I help her because I am not sure they know exactly how much I do for her.
I truly hate my brother and sister, and when my mother passes, I am going to let them know just how much I hate them. I am only being nice to them out of consideration for my mother at this point. I can't wait to tell them how much I hate them for putting me through 10 years of ABSOLUTE HELL.
Never happened. My sibling's wife told me I was suppose to do what I am doing because she is my mother and I do not want to be with my husband because I taking care of mom. I know words you can not take back so I did not respond except to say my mom has two children not one. My mom has been helping them since they been together. Even sending her to see her parents before they passed and sending her out of the country. My mom was always paying something for them. It was very hard taking care of mom that I collapsed and still no family came by to see they could help. My friends and extended family came to my side. Well now my husband started talking about divorcing me because I could not be with him and that my mother needed me since family was not helping. This was very hurtful. But I partially blame them fir the demise of my marriage. I did get things in place for mom where I had help coming in 5 days a week. I felt comfortable in leaving her after 10 month she was still able body but needed someone to keep company , I did not want her left her alone. I wanted to work on my marriage. This was hard time for me, almost loosing my mom, family abandoned me and now husband wanting a divorce I was very emotional. While I was away family still not come by to see mom unless they wanted something. My husband was becoming mean towards me and I left. Started living on my own and came back to visit mom and seen how much the dementia has progressed. I already had home health set up. Now mom can not be by herself, needs meds giving to her. Family still does not come by . I am with hwr 24 /7 plus working full-time. I just do not understand how anyone who had a loving parent can ignor them when they need them now. I no longer go to so called family functions because I use this as my
break. Sibling gets upset but I don't care because bow I really can not stand to look at them. I thought we were closer family then this. But I guess as kong as they were on the receiving end it was ok. My mom has given them everything and they do nothing in return, she was a pay check in their household. It hurts me that now they choose to act like she does not exist, and always saying how much they are Christians. Mom's memory has declined but I work on memory excercises every night with her. Just heard through the grapevine that sibling and family are moving out of state. I love my sibling just hate the behavior. I really don't communicate with him unless it about mom. But if leave state I don't think I would have the desire to speak with him again. It hard especially growing up he was the one to get everything, just don't see how you can ignore your mom. I am now trying to get things in order because I know there will be a time I will not be able to take care of her all by myself. I am on this journey alone.
I've had difficulty speaking up for myself my whole life, which is why I have loved writing so much - I can sound clear, if I edit and break things into paragraphs :)
I'm sorry to hear the sadness of the left out sib, I have one older brother who was the same - he ran from home for good at 14. Some parents in the past felt that if they had even a few "good" kids, they had done well enough as parents.
I thought I might prove my worth, by giving the skills I learned about living on my own (I left family country at 21; mother had remarried, left me at 16) - but I offered to "help" family, by taking care of youngest disabled in adult life - mom sent him to me almost the same week, on the bus!
Yet we learn in life from where we are. I learned to understand disabilities and care from that youngest brother who had no socialization at all. Training him taught me about adult difficulties for some, including me. I learned to be like a business manager, by managing his money (my sibs cautioned me to use NONE of it on myself - that's a family heritage legacy: hire help for the family, then suspect them of theft. Don't know if your families are middle or upper class - those folks can look nice, but have miserable lack of awareness of others!)
Not trying to write a long post here, I have lots to do today to catch up, but I just want to say that I've valued this conversation between sibs with different family roles. Amazing how those last through life, and it's hard when they were set up unfairly in the first place, yet every sib grows up with their "place" in the family, amount of parent trust, attention. All my sibs moved so far away from each other, so none would bring the others down... when I see families where sibs actually work together or support each other's goals, families, etc --- envy city.
But. But we can look for friends, ideas, help outside our families. I lost out on money several times in my life, and I follow Underearners' Anonymous now, to help me work positively with my time, to build career slowly - and that feels fine, more sane than living a rich life of entitlement, without goals or sense of value.
I forgive my family in general, because I believe different cultures brought different ideas of child raising, which last through generations. Irish didn't even expect the parents to do it - they left it to the Catholic church! Never tried to help parents learn to work together, so parents undermined each other, fought, drank. Very simple summary, but realizing that home organizing and child rearing was not clear to parents - in Europe, or older countries with cultures developed over years, villages and neighborhoods added extra care so kids had resources. But when so much Irish focus for men was aimed at resentment of British and war, while women looked to church - parents got divided, and in many situations, did not learn to work together, but to muddle through, and some sibs get left out. I had a job driving a school bus (loved it - I FINALLY had access to attention and respect...!) and one thing I did was drive in many different neihgborhoods, and the different ways of self organizing and group relations among the kids in different cultures - amazing. Easy to see, when your bus is carrying mostly one culture or race, from specific neighborhoods.
So I hope you can learn, as I did, gratefully, but it took YEARS to warm up to the idea - of finding something positive in my varied older brothers and making connections to ask them to help me briefly with those. Many mistakes, but I have learned it always sounds good to hear a sibling voice on the phone, no matter how rare! And I did learn some business skills and other areas in my own life. Over time (I'm now 71), I learned from times I complained directly to the sib, then followed Al-Anon lessons of detachment, I built my life, in some ways, better than they did. Lots of unfairness, but can only tackle each piece at a time, and including some other aspects has allowed us to be in contact now.
To legally tangle with such persons would mean total ruin. I simply wont go there, nor my sister as both of us were advised we would probably lose.
Both the case anf all of our income of our own. It is, unreal that you can do nothing to remedy such horribleness for families and elders.
Frightening that hospices do nothing when they see abuses.
That is so sad that you weren't given some family photos and your childhood pics. Do you have anything for leverage you could offer your brother in exchange for them? If he and your mother aren't living there anymore, couldn't you somehow be allowed access to find your photos? Just seems so cruel to keep you from having them. But if your brother is anything like my sister, he will take great pleasure in keeping them from you and maybe even tossing them out, or just telling you he tossed them to let you know how "unimportant" you are. Your loss of your family memories and childhood pics is a big "win" for him. That is so sad for your kids to not be able to share pics of their mother as a child. I do hope you can somehow retrieve them from the house. Glad to hear you are posting on FB pics of you moving on and enjoying your life. Your happiness is the worst blow you can deal a person like him.
Another thing you mentioned that was interesting is that your mother "married" your brother after your father died. I totally get what you are saying there, because since my father died I feel like my sister has somehow "become" him and acting as if she's my mom's new husband. My sister even mentioned to me at the time that she is "just like Dad". Creepy. Sociopaths can actually morph themselves into other personas as needed to get what they want. It was uncanny how she hovered over my mom and acted like she was protecting her from a pack of wolves at the funeral and ever since. She looked like she would have crawled into my mom's body if she could. Almost like she was claiming her as her exclusive property or something. I think the idea was to convey to all of us watching her displays of kissing and arms around our mother that she is mom's favorite and in total control of her. Whatever. Let the charade continue - thankfully I'm hardly ever there to see it.
To answer your question about if I have anyone, yes I have a wonderful husband of 37 years and two grown kids that are both married. No grandkids yet, but I expect we will eventually. I also have my brother and his new-ish wife - she tells us we are the only normal ones in the family!! They are considering moving to our state to get away from all the drama of dealing with my sister and mom. So apparently it's not just me...thanks again for sharing and commiserating with me. Who'da thunk that nothingspecial and 2ndBest would have so much in common. My kids, like yours, have lost interest in having anything to remind them of their grandparents, who were actually the closest grandkids to them growing up. The bitterness of it all is hard to shake off for all of us.
Also. He and mom hadnt lived together as husband and wife for going on thirty years..she moved out and so many laws would have considered them divorced. They were friendly to a degree and tokk some care of each other in old age moneywise..but mostly still fought..I think they tolerated each other for us.
she isnt living there now..neither is brother. They are,shamefully on the gov.payroll residents in public.housing so that sucks too knowing your family are not only jerks but so selfish they cheat taxpayers while greedily holding to property And two livable homes.
They didnt do this in good legal form either. Brother gave her really bad advice there.
. I get the "knocks everything you do",it is just so obvious you wonder how parents cant see it..my mother was just like my brother After they married each other. Yes married in that they cloned the same behaviors. If you could get her away from him..she wasnt that bad but he shadowed her and stuck to every interaction..just looking for an opportunity to start his..watch me win stuff.
Really sad. And yes we were ALWAYS told it would be a three way Equal split of the property...He scared them both into changing that. I dont need it but my sisters boy and his family would have loved a shot at country living. All the kids had some really good times there. Is this greedy.no. It was what was told to us. Dad wanted it for family. I always told them, you need to sell any in your old age to care for you do it. It is yours..
I have all I need...but a few sentimental things would have been something for me to pass to our children. Just small rememberances would have meant a great deal to my sis and I and out children.
Nope, spoiled one had to take our parents totally from us In everyway. In that you are right.
I am giving away all reminders of either parent as these are very pain full to have around now and due to this our kids dont want them either,now.
They loved their papaw, but even they were rebuked and shunned from their offersof help and visits.
My brother will probably die alone..my sis and I we are the family now..we have all the kids and their kids to have family with.
Do you have anyone?
Dad was also cremated. That is the only thing I was asked to participate in. Signing that form. No funeral either but would have thought it nice if we as a family could have gathered on site and told a story about my dad or heck just be able to stroll in and say hi to Dad.
We may.Disagree again here as I realize emotions run high. Thanks for letting me vent from the other side.
I am truly sorry for what you're going through. It's awful to have horrible relationships with our siblings, but what can we do.
As Emjo23 said, it is about you're own self preservation.
I do believed this was planned to hurt us as much as possible. I dont want to give my brother the satisfaction that HE really kicked me when I was at the lowest point in my life and losing my Dad too.
So, yes, sometimes posting good time distractions on fb to let my friends know I am surviving and thriving is good karma therapy for ME.
Repairing the damage to my character done by this disowning out of brothers greed, not my neglectful ways...is harder.
I believe you. But that cant apply to everyone. Most of us know who is going to get it all when POA is assigned. If they were favored in life,they will be favored when parents pass. Of course some parents will never know if the POA or executor goes power money hungry and "eliminates" anyone the parent trusted to dispense things fairly.
It speaks well of you that you gave him his due,even if you felt he wasnt worth It.
Many times all we want is something sentimental or to give to our children that belonged to the grandparent.
When my grandma died all I ask for was a potato peeler,when they got to the dispensing stuff the kids didnt want..grandma had taught me how to peel potatoes.
I had a nice memorial service back in CA much later for both of my parents.
In my case my brother most certainly did show up for his "cut", he showed no emotion and acted like he was conducting a business transaction. In case you didn't read my comments he went over to the local bank demanding access to accounts that had NOTHING to do with what was left, he also stole valuable coins and pawned them at the local coin shop. Because I did some checking and found out fairly easily, it was a small town, not too many places to do that in.
I even had to warn the realtor who sold the house(which was left to me but I gave him money from it....foolishly) that he may try and contact her....well he did. He got nasty with her, just like he did with the ladies in the bank.
So there are people who most certainly do just show up after the parent has passed for their "cut".
My brother wouldnt spend a dime on sheets to put under my father. He asked nothing of Hospice that is the norm to get "free". Said it wasnt needed then came to me wringing his hands.
Why cause when moms gone they might send him the bill and he wanted their stuff and place intact for himself.
He gave them really bad financial advice and convinced them to give it all to him to protect it for HIM.
This is not really all that rare. It may not be you or any of you...but I am not,nor did I or would I do what he had it in his head I was. I gave money and stuff like cars and airconditioners...equipment...washers tons of stuff through the years.
Brother had issues. Clearly.
I wasnt allowed to attend my own private or small family ceremony at my Dads farm cause they buried him there locked the gate and said to h*ll with all other relatives.
HE was selfish with his remains, for gosh sakes. That is extremely messed up. But that is what his resentment got him.
Sorry Sendme2 help, I have two cousins who acted more like brothers than my own brother ever did. I have friends who are more like family.
While it is true the sibling relationship should be the longest relationship you have, that doesn't mean when it is totally toxic that you should have contact.
I believe my brother is a sociopath, I have an elderly aunt whom he called out of the blue, he lives about 15 miles from her, she was frightened, she hadn't hear from him in years. Thankfully he has stopped calling. I live on the side of the country from him. No one in the family has contact with him.
He did nothing when it came to helping my parents, but was right on the scene the day after our father died looking for $$$$$$$$. He made my life h*ll and I had to call the police at one point out of fear. When I asked him months later why he didn't come see his father as he lay dying in the ICU for 4 days he said to me "what I was supposed to do perform a miracle"......I was DONE.
I was the executor of the estate, he was paid out what he was left and than some(hoping he would leave the area), he also stole items out of the house, and went over to the local bank(behind my back) demanding information on the checking and savings account(which you can't do).
So no I don't have to have any contact. If people ask me if I have any siblings I tell them I am an only child.
I only discuss him on this board, otherwise I don't let him enter my daily life. But that is too simplistic to say you have to have a relationship with people who did you and your parents incredibly wrong just because you share DNA.
You don't and you shouldn't.
To also be completely honest my brother had years and years of carefree closenesswith my parents. No job, no kids, able to spend his money all on himself while mu sis anf I struggled a good biy or had the h*ll of mismatched spouses...little freedom due to the demands of out kids, responsibilities of allkind and yes FEAR.the kind that you get when you dont have enough money for a crisis.
But brother had it easy.and bought toys, and had no mortgage worries. All safety netted by mom and Dad. If he got tired of something and just didn!t do it no biggy.
Tables turned. Maybe it is karma? Clearly he cant see outside himself.
Don,'t hate, for your own well-being.
Otherwise, I may be forced to hate your siblings just for support.
One rather nasty set up brother pulled when he was called everyday.and asked what can I do..was to tell me or sis, "nothing, Dad is resting from treatments.
So after suggesting a few or asking what time I could come, and getting the negative. I went driving into the area of my old growing up home..I visited everywhere my Dad and I had any history.
I posted this day trip adventure on fb and how worried I was about Dad and asked for prayers.
Within a day brother was chastizing me and sis ( she went out on her cycle) doing the same) for " not being for Dad and being selfish.
No one knew and apparently he had a " lack of recall" that HE told us we were not needed and Dad was too tired for help or company.
O
Agreed it is different with a parent...again you assume..but wrongly that I was implying some people have strenghts they ARE actually better at or yes, willing to do because they are more comfortanle with other tasks. That doesnt mean they don't love or care. Or selfish. A good bit of people avoid unpleasant things...is it right,no. But it is a fact..focus on what you can change not on what you can't.
I am not at all happy at what this has done to my family of origin..or my immediate. Until.my brother or I or something jolts a change of heart or understanding with maturity.. I may not br able to change that...at some point everyone eventually realizes they can only change themselves...or the situation they are in.
My siblings owe me. Here is why that is not good. You may have children..they have cousins...family exists beyond you and the aging parent and your siblings. The ripple effect can go on forever. Brother dragged all family out of state in and required of them all, that my sis and I not be told our other parent,my mother, had a stroke and major surgery. This was his self created "payback"from all his " I do it all and resent it so much that someone has to pay!"
I sure hope HE remembers his childish when HE is alone,sick, his mom and Dad and everyone is gone. ( he has no children)
Now, as part of his trumpting his greatness and showing his self ( when he should have taken people up on their offers to help.)
He burned bridges and very likely could end up with no one to care for him.
Control self or you arent much use to anyone. Like in the airline oxygen mask speil,,save self or no way you can rescue anyone else.
I can clearly see where your sibling might see you as difficult. Bless your heart. Give it up. Are you trying to run me off?
Missing a message here you are. Not to mention assuming I didn' t deal with any bodily fluids or ever go to the hospital. I was speaking generally. You misquoted..go reread.
Thank you. Good points. If you would have told me I would be bathing my naked, skinny and fading father I would have said," no, that just isnt right.'
But, as clearly no one of his caretakers thought this even necessary, I stepped up. I loved my father,more than anything. I was much more natural than I thought it would be. He always loved to be rubbed all his life and so messaging his head was like heaven to him. My heart was breaking, at how he was being treated. I didnt want him to see me cry and it was very hard.
I built him a ramp so taking him out to the Dr wouldn'jar him and he gave me a piece of wood he had cut to start his own ramp..he was pround of me. Complimented me on it. This was very hard to understand why my mom called the next day and told me the overweight nurse broke the ramp and come get it.
I am still using that ramp to get my riding mower in my shed. There was nothing wrong with it.
I just want some here to understand. Your siblings may or may not want to help..or can't. Spouses dont always support the caregiver and some may know their own family structure will crumble. To assume your siblings dont love their parent as much as the caregiver does is wrong..in many cases. Not all, but more than one thinks.
As for compensation at will time..to me items given are a way parents realize they cant take it with them and so they pass them on. I, personally, had no real problem, with all of us being compensated..but how silly and time consuming to base it on what is given to parentd..I didn't send my kids a bill for raising them.
Many things.are required. I spent over 1,000.00 on items hospice provides in just a few weeks..no one compensated me..when the will was pribated.
No one called me that it WAS going to probate.
I wasnt welcome there.
Just as well..it was the exact same day..the exact same court..the exact same judge that I had to be before for my finalizing of my divorice.
Even that life shattering and financially draining life event..didn't receive any compassion from the " I am the only one who loves Dad," brother.
Just a PARAGRAPH! Hit your ENTER button every once in awhile.
You're just being arrogant at this point, your posts are hard to read. It's not about correct punctuation, just asking for you to make it easier to read.