I don't want to be free of caring for my 94-year-old mother. I love doing for her what she cannot do any longer. But when I hear that my older sister or brother talk about how wonderful their travel experiences or dining-out experiences are, I get resentful and jealous. Now I never want to talk to them or see them ever again. They both live out of state. Am I being a selfish brat? I feel like I am so evil. I know it is jealousy, but I feel it more and more when I learn they are having fun. My life is consumed with taking care of my mother, and neither of them have ever offered to help in any way. I cannot get over hating them more and more each day.
Now mom is living with me...and she is high maintenance for many reasons other than being 95. She has lots of "needs"- a new mattress, a new wheelchair (she has 2 ), a new chair, ( it just needed the screws tightened) new shoes ( she has a closet full), more paint supplies (she has a roomful), and the list goes on. When I suggest that my sister help her with some of these "needs" she says no
that she wants me to do it.
So I feel resentment towards both my mother and my sister. However this sight has helped me learn to look at things through different lenses. Resentment is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die. I am learning to not sweat the small stuff, take one day at a time, to make mom's life as pleasant as possible, and to find simple things that make me happy and spend time doing them.
Focus on what you can do to make this journey easier for you. Focusing on the resentment (which I have done) only makes our lives more difficult. There will be an end to the caregiving and you don't want any regrets.
Take care and know you are not alone in this journey. God sees you and knows.
Remember, hatred is an emotion that will cause YOU to suffer, not them.
It will support YOU to identify how you actually feel deeper inside. It is amazing that when we do this, feelings change. It is TOTALLY a selfish act to forgive another as the benefits are totally healing for YOU, the forgiver.
* Deeper than feeling jealousy, you need to find a release and support for yourself by enlisting an/other/s to care for your mom.
* Since they live out-of-state, ask them to help out financially to employ caregiver support for you/r mother.
* When you hear this 'inner self-sabotaging (evil, selfish brat) - S-T-O-P and reframe your thoughts. "I am stressed out. I want to go out for a nice dinner and relax. I need time out for me."
* If you practice self kindness, it translates into self-healing and will give you room to feel more positive energy, have more energy.
* You need to enlist your siblings to support you - talk to them ASAP.
* Learn to love yourself and do nice things, like buy flowers to remind yourself of the beauty in the world . . . the beauty INSIDE you for doing what you are doing.
* IF your sibling do not thank you and express appreciation for all that you are doing, TELL THEM. I need . . . (acknowledgment, support, appreciation).
Gena.
Not all children can be the hands on caregivers.
Nor should anyone feel obligated to do the hands on work.
We all have our own circumstances. I cared for my mom too. So has my brother and sister in law. It became too much for us. She’s in a hospice house now. She is 95.
There are ups and downs in caregiving. No one can deny that it is a tough job!
I am all for catching memories of joyful occasions but I would never want my photo taken during a meltdown, nor would I want to have any photos of my mother’s meltdown.
Wishing you well in your caregiver journey.
My mom is near the end. She is dying. Thank God for hospice. They are angels.
was you a while back. I did it all! My brother criticized. I said, “Fine, then take over!” I was burning out.
At some point in time if we can’t do it anymore, it’s okay to admit it and resume our lives.
The situation is more about yourself rather than siblings.
We can honor our feelings but then move forward.
Speak to a social worker to help you plan for placement. You can visit and be her advocate.
I took care of my mom for 15 years. My brother and sister in law did it for 14 months.
Mom required round the clock care. It became too much. She’s dying and now receiving round the clock care in a hospice house.
Wishing you all the best.
Jesus said-- Forgive them-- they know not what they do-- and most do not since they are not there-- and are not seeing the day to day. But you are. Thank GOD for you. I consider myself the luckier and most blessed since I got to see Mom the day she died. And I was the last to touch her warm head as it got cold.
My sister was/is dealing with the dead-beat dad of her daughter. When she was discussing her anger with her therapist, the therapist observed that my sister uses that anger as a source of much needed energy.
I know I was cussing my useless BIL up and down as I mowed his parent’s yard when he, once again, “forgot” to do it as he said he would. And, yes, that anger did give me energy to push the mower around the yard.
The down side is the anger lasted longer than the yard work. and that hurt me in the long run.
I hope that you are able to find ways to get help in caring for your mom that aren’t your siblings.
Signed : Walking In Your Shores .
You have NOTHING to feel guilty about. You deserve to be appreciated and to be given a break if they are able to do so.
My sibling lives out of state and previously agreed to spell me for 3 or 4 weeks each winter and summer so I can have a vacation with my husband and see my children and grandchildren who also live out of state. Yet nearly every time I want to get away my sib has an excuse why they can't come. Needless to say, I understand how you feel. Even our father says my sibling is selfish and self centered, so it's not just me.
You must take care of yourself and you deserve a life. I have now hired a care company to be back up to my dad when I am gone. Dad is happy to pay. He knows he can rely on them to run errands and keep him company in his ALF way beyond what staff can do. It gives me piece of mind. The only thing that would be better would be to send the bill to my sibling. If your siblings won't help and your mom cannot afford to pay, tell your sibs they can show up or pay up...but they cannot get off Scott free. You need to set limits on your siblings and your caregiving.
Our dad has Parkinsons and fell 2x last summer which ended up in him being hospitalized. Our mother had breat cancer and pancreatic cancer 10 yrs ago and she has arthritis in her knees which affects her mobility. She has also suffered heart problems from the effects of the chemo she received when she had cancer. She just recently had to have a procedure bc she was experiencing shortness of breath.
So we were already concerned about the two of them living in a large 4 bedroom colonial and going up and down stairs. The decision had been made that our parents should move to a condo with caregivers. However, before that plan could be put into action all hell broke lose.
Our mother fell and broke her hip in Sept. She had been caring for our dad who has advanced Parkinsons. This spearheaded moving our dad to memory care and our mother to AL after having caregivers coming to the house to care for our dad while our mom was in the hospital. (Horrible situation) My mother just recently moved into AL. Our father went into memory care at the beginning of Nov. They are in the same facilitiy but in different apartments. I have to be honest, though, and admit that some of these problems my parents brought upon themselves. I am annoyed by that as well. They knew my dad had Parkinsons 10 years ago--they could have made lifestyle changes well before now--my brother that went to Disney and I tried to get them to see the light several years ago, but they dug in their heels.
I really wish they would have moved several years ago and closer to me and my sister in MA. My mother's sisters and their spouses and children all live in RI. We were a military family so that is how we ended up all scattered. But if my parents would have moved back up neareret to my sister there would be entire support network we could put in place. As it is, they are in
VA and only my brother who went to Disney lives down there. He has not been over to see our dad once since he went to memory care. I live in NY and I have been there more than he has. I was thinking today I guess I will have to plan on going down there at least every other month to visit.
I work in an elementary school in NY and I went down to VA in Oct and then had to quarantine upon my return before I could go back to work. I went back down again in Nov and then again in Jan. I did not quarantine then bc VA was removed from the NY do not travel list. I don't feel hatred but do I feel very annoyed. I wish people would step up and help out more.
And on a more selfish note: your siblings, like mine, will have to live the rest of their lives with the knowledge that they never offered any real help while Mom was alive - and believe me they will feel it. Blessings and joy for what time you have left with your Mother, Remember and cherish it.
As others have pointed out, "hate" is not an avenue to follow. Let them diddle away their lives on self indulgent things. What you are doing is important, what they are doing is not. Stay focused and thoughtful in your care and may you have the strength and mental stamina to handle it well!
I’m so happy you posted the “hate” word as I have the exact same feelings toward my sole surviving brother, his wife, and my late siblings’ children.
I’m fortunate to have moved my mom with Alzheimer’s to Assisted Living near me. My husband is a huge help to me. I manage all my moms medical, financial, and every other need and concern.
My family members have not even called me in the 3 1/2 years she’s been near me in Assisted Living. I’m so hurt and disappointed that they can’t even call to ask how I am and how my mom is. All I’d like is some acknowledgement to my existence and appreciation for my efforts.
The anger and resentment I feel towards them is eating me alive and definitely not good for my health.
I appreciate the comments that advise to focus on yourself and to try to find ways to make your life more enjoyable and to forget about them.
It isn’t easy. People say having gratitude helps. I’m grateful to my husband and to the Assisted Living staff for all the help and support they provide.
Funny thing is that my family probably learned their self-centeredness from my mom, who was always a raging narcissist. She modeled that behavior.
The 2 siblings I had, with a slight sense of concern for others have since died. The sole remaining sibling I have is too stunted to have any initiative or compassion.
I also hope to find a way to let go of the negative feelings of hatred and resentment.
I’m glad you shared your feelings here. I hope you’re able to get some respite to better be able to care for yourself.
You are not forgotten. I am thinking of you and send you healing love and compassion. I also recognize and acknowledge all the hard work you’re doing to care for your mom.
Here’s to us both finding some healing peace in our hearts.
The reality is if they’re washing their hands of Mom’s care, that’s on them. If you want to hate them, sever ties or feel anger - do it and don’t feel badly about it. Caregiving is so hard and you want to feel like you can count on your family - even a little. So when you can’t, that really hurts. Don’t add a topping of guilt on everything else you have to do. I’m sure you feel good taking care of Mom, but you also miss living your life and pursuing your interests. All totally reasonable and normal feelings.
Since placing her doesn’t seem to be an option for you, at least look into getting some respite care maybe once or twice a week. You need to remember yourself and take care of you too. It’s hard and I can hear “great, one more thing I have to do”, but if you can manage it, that will really help. The care worker won’t just be sitting there, she/he will be giving you space to have some “you” time.
Don’t wait until your Mom passes before you reclaim some of your life back. You absolutely deserve to enjoy your life too.
Much support to you!
I was assigned POA by my mom and dad and my husband and I have compassionately given my dad care and kept him, with the help of caregivers, in his home.
My sibs are making my life hell.