Is it wrong that I want to enforce boundaries and live my life for me so I don't end up like them? They are overly obese, riddled with health problems, extremely toxic and refuse to accept responsibility. I am 46. I have time to revamp my life to not head down their path. Why do I feel I am not allowed this? My brother took off to another province and is a multimillionaire. I have a chronic pain condition and am on disability.
I guess I am seeking validation or to vent. I feel helpless and that none of my family care about the burden they are placing on me.
Your brother is also free to do as he wishes. Don't waste your time being upset with him not helping. So very common and he doesn't have to help if he doesn't want to. Your parents are not his responsibility. Or yours. You can help, advise, etc. as much or as little as you want to. Totally up to you.
You need to protect your own health, physical and mental.
Here in BC there is a program called Better at Home, it offers a variety of services to help people live as long as possible in their own home. It is very popular in rural communities where care facilities are a great distance away. Is there a similar program in your province? Income based sliding scale for the fees.
It is perfectly fair for you to tell Mum and Dad they are not moving with you and you have no intention of sharing a home with them. You can offer to find community based services for them, if they refuse to use them that is not your problem.
It sounds like your brother has his boundaries in place.
Possibly none of your family do care about you. Dysfunctional/toxic families are like that. It is what it is. I'm glad you have a supportive friend. Get more of those!
Build your own life largely separate from theirs. You are not obliged to care for them. If you want to help them, point them to resources or whatever you feel you can do without harming yourself.
Regarding boundaries, other people will not necessarily respect them. That's not why you set them. Boundaries are for you - to protect yourself. Sometimes other people will change their behaviour in response to boundaries, and sometimes they won't. Stick to them anyway. You can expect toxic people to continue to push your boundaries. My only solution has been to distance myself until I felt safe. That means physical distance some times, not taking phone calls, limiting visits etc. It also can mean going no contact.
Let us know how things are going. There is lots of support here. ((((((hugs))))))
It has blessed me tremendously.
You state you will assist them if needed and that's all you should do. Your parents are young enough to care for themselves at this point. If you don't make your dreams come true, no one else will. I wish you all the best on your journey!
ps: if you want to "appease" them before you go, just tell them you'll let them know how city life is after you've experienced it firsthand - at which time they can decide to move to the city. ( It doesn't mean they move in with you though).
Since you don't want to live on the farm in longer, sell it - and buy property suited to YOUR needs, not theirs. Do not think about them when you pick your new house/condo. Buy what you want. Do NOT let them force you into a basement of your new house. If it was me, I'd move in the opposite direction of them!
You are too young for this. And, I am speaking as a physically disabled Caregiver.
I have had to do a similar thing with my Sister.
You have to set boundaries because they don't have any.
They lived their lives, made their choices, you have the same option to live your life.
Sometimes it turns into enabling, where they can't function on their own because out of guilt you do everything for them.
Let them know you are a phone call away and go live your life.
My saying is, "Don't let anyone steal your joy"!
You are in the prime of your life, go live it and have some fun, and you will re-identify with yourself and find out who you are and what you are about and what makes you happy.
You do not have to feel guilty for that, validate yourself as worthy, and excited to start your own life with your own choices.
Now go pack your bags! Bon Voyage and Hugs.
Tell your brother that you are moving and to help pay towards their help. Tell your parents that you have had enough of caring for them and if they need any help their are agency’s out there that provide good help.
setting boundaries is the most important thing we can do with parents. Expect push back but stick with living your life.
:)
happy new year 2022!! :) :) :)
"loving parents do NOT expect their children to put their life on hold to care for them"
totally agree.
as for your wealthy brother --- i'm shocked he doesn't help your parents financially. a millionaire. he could easily solve the whole caregiving problem for his parents (for example, hire good in-home care).
---
i'm not saying this applies to your brother...
there is a joke:
--how come that wealthy man is so wealthy and stingy with his money?
--that's how he became wealthy, because he's stingy with his money.
This cracked me up too. Your brother is a multimillionaire and they expect you to buy them a house and you live in the basement.
If Mom is 72 then Dad cannot be much older. He needs to care for her that's what being married means. Children are to grow up and make lives of their own. You don't have to physically care for your parents. You don't have to live with them nor them with you. You can be there for them. Find resources they need. But your life does not revolve around them.
Move back to the city. Make a list of resources in their area. Make sure they have brother's phone#. Remind them they have 2 children and one is a multi-millionaire. If they need any help financially they need to call him.
"My brother agreed to participate in their care as they aged. He was going to financially support, Id be the one here. He doesn't do any of what he agreed to... but apparently me inheriting our parents hoarding filled house is my "reward."
Don't you just love people who plan ur life for you. Move back to the City. Brother can hire people to care for Mom without lifting a finger. He can hire someone to oversee their care.
So. Your parents' plan is that you now invest in a grand family home where you will care for them with the privilege of being allowed to live in the basement. Really? Sweet of them to think of you.
Nah. If they want to move so that they're not too far away from you, which is not unreasonable, they'd do better to set themselves up in appropriate, adapted living facilities where they will have access to support and services that help them function as an independent unit. Meanwhile, leading your new life, you will perhaps come once again to enjoy spending actual family time with them.
Does the city you have in mind offer retirement communities/facilities that look promising?
Values shmalues. Focus on the practicalities. You don't want them guilting you at an inconvenient distance, and on the other hand if you're not over-burdened with responsibility for their lives you may well find that you want to stay involved. You know what they say about keeping your friends close..?
I also agree, that with good functioning boundaries, a good family relationship may continue.
The ability of the parents to adjust to aging & downsize etc may hinge on who is 'driving'? If Mother (with cognitive decline) is in the driver seat - look out.
Women are always expected to be the caretakers for our parents while the 'menfolk' are often free to do their own thing, as evidenced with your brother. Your profile does seem discombobulated (you live in Beverly Hills CA but own a farm in Canada, etc) so I'm not sure if your mother does suffer from Alzheimers/dementia as you say? If so, before you move away, I'd suggest you get the folks set up with some in-home caregivers coming in to help. Then, you should definitely feel free TO move on with your own life as your parents are young and can live another 2 decades. Let them know that you're happy to arrange help FOR them when they need it, but that you're moving on alone b/c you feel that to the best path for YOU at this time.
I am an only child so the entire burden of having elderly parents is automatically placed on me; there's nobody else to help me with any of it. Consider yourself an only child too and leave your brother out of the picture entirely, unless he tells you he wants to help in some way, financially or otherwise. If you rely on anyone else but yourself to accomplish your goals in life, you ARE 'helpless'. If you rely only on yourself, you're powerful! Do as you see fit w/o relying on anyone to tell you it's 'okay' or it's 'not okay'. As an adult, you have the right to move on with your life now. You're not 'deserting' your parents, you're just taking your OWN life by the horns and running with it.
Wishing you the best of luck moving forward with no guilt and no looking back.
Children are not a retirement plan; their plan seems to involve you becoming their nanny/slave.
Nope. Don't do it.
Sad that your brother reneged on his offer of support, but leaving that aside, there is no earthly reason that you should subject yourself to being at the beck and call of toxic individuals, even if they are your parents.
Simply saying "no, I don't care to do that" is sufficient. If they rattle on about, tell them that you are making your own arrangements and they are free to make theirs. Perhaps give them the phone number of social services. And then either leave or hang up. Don't engage.
You are an adult. You get to decide what you want to do--and what you DON'T want to do.
You can be less of a "villain" by assuring them you'll help them in ways you are willing and able. Once you feel satisfied that you've helped as much as you wish, then hopefully your conscience will feel clear. Not that you should feel guilty about any choice you make, but I get it. Been there, done that. May you receive peace in your heart no matter what you choose.
Your anger at your brother is misplaced. No one forced you to apologize to him and fall on your sword. He has made his choices and you're angry that he has moved on with his life. Yet you want the same freedom he has taken for himself.
You are only as helpless as you allow yourself to be. As long as you choose to accept the burden, nothing will change. It's a new year. It's a great time to prepare to move on with your life.
By the way, you feel you are not allowed this because they RAISED you to feel you are not allowed.