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Please keep this is mind: you are not "bad" just because someone says so! Consider the source - your mother is described as a hoarder - it sounds like she has untreated mental illness of some kind. Has greatly favored your brother - nor rare at all, unfortunately.   She simply is NOT competent to judge you as a person!  Basically, you cannot assume her opinions are valid.

If she refuses your help, well, you generously offered. So her refusal is on her - not your fault at all.   Unless she is judged incompetent and you are appointed guardian, there is in fact very little you can do.  So, I would suggest detaching and working on your own life and relationships.  No point is worrying over things you cannot fix. Never borrow trouble.
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janeinspain Dec 2018
Great advice rovana. :)
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Hi Lauren,

I’m sorry to read your story. This sounds like a very dysfunctional situation and I can understand that you have complicated feelings about it. Your mother is not the first to favor a son (who may or may not be deserving!) and she won’t be the last! The hoarding is evidence of the dysfunction, and so perhaps there is a role for social services to help you and your local sisters at least ensure her safety. Has she seen a doctor recently? The personality changes you have noted should probably be evaluated - this is not going to get better. Finally I recommend you read a recent thread that was started on this forum by GingerMay - the title was “Family dysfunction and the holidays.” It contains so much good advice that can help you get clear on what you can and can’t do in a situation like this one. It can be painful but sometimes we have to recognize there are some things we can’t change on our own. At least you have sisters who are in this with you - you’re not alone. Good luck!

Jane
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Lauren88 Dec 2018
My oldest sister took her to a doctor after she had dizziness earlier this year and my sister gave her round the clock care at her home- kept a record of her diet and meds, kept her clean and comfortable- made sure she drank water on a schedule and did her physical therapy. She cared for her for about a month and mom was so unappreciative and criticizing of her that she could not do it anymore. So now she has my brother take her to the doctor, and my sister is the bad one. She never would have gone to the doctor if it were not for my sister. Thanks for you reply. It is such a train wreck.
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Lauren,
In your circumstances with your mother, I would detach with love. You have been hurt, and just don't need that anymore, imo.

If your Mom is living in unsafe conditions, or you have proof brother is exploiting her, call APS, then detach from this toxic mess. You already said she will not allow you to help. Yes, that is sad.

This part concerns me for you:
"What do siblings who do not speak do when their only remaining parent dies? I don't know if she is leaving anything to me. If not, that is okay but I don't know. I hoped to get the childhood pictures of myself if nothing else. I also don't know what to do if I am the first one to know she has passed."

Please consider seeing a therapist to work these things out in your own mind.
Or, if you can just let these thoughts go, you may get relief from suffering so.
There is such a thing as "do not borrow trouble"; "try to live in the present", "today has enough trouble of it's own.

Focus on your own life and responsibilities today, imo.

Do you have any pressing things of your own to take care of?
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Lauren88 Dec 2018
Thank you for replying! It is an emotional roller coaster. I am grateful for this forum since I know of no one who has this problem. I guess it is not the kind of thing people talk about. I'll be reading every piece of advice as I try to navigate through this situation.
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