Family Matters
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help..

I feel like I get dumped on by my mom and brother. They're always telling me their problems...blah blah blah and I get so tired of hearing it all. I know this sounds selfish, but on my end I can stand so much of it. All the down talk really wears on me and their talk makes me worry about them constantly. I feel like if I let them know how I feel they'll feel like they won't be able to talk to me anymore. I love them both dearly with all my heart, but I feel emotionally drained from it all.  Not to mention I'm a first time mom and dealing with a lot as it already is in my life. I've got my worries to tend to (thank goodness for dh) too.

 

I just don't know what to do :( It just makes me sad that I can't handle my problems plus their's. I know I can't have the answers to everything. I just feel like I carry the world on my shoulders.

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Re: help..

  • Suggest therapy because they have got it for free from you for way too long.

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  • It's absolutely ok to tell family that you can't be their sounding board anymore and that they need to find someone else to help them out. 
    Hope is not a strategy.
  • "Hey mom.  I understand you are going through a lot right now and I really would love to support you, but right now I'm feeling very overwhelmed with being a new mom and all.  I don't feel like I can give you the time and effort you need at this point cause it's really draining me to hear so much about your problems.  I really think now is a good time to seek out some professional help cause it's clear that you need someone to talk to - I just can't be that person as often as I think you need.  It's really outside my abilities and I want so very much to support you.  If you want any help finding a therapist or want me to go with you to the first meeting, I'd love to.  But I can't be your soul support any longer, and I feel bad, but I have to take care of myself before I can take care of anyone else."
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  • Sounds like they need someone to vent to.  Try asking them "What do you think the best solution is" or "What are you going to do about it" to try to get them to come up with a solution instead of just talking about their problems. 

     If the problems are the type that are of a serious nature then maybe you could gently suggest a therapist.  They would be more qualified to give advice than you are to their problems. 

    I think its ok to listen, but keep it to a limit of say 20 minutes, and then say Oh, sorry, but I have to do x now, or go to x now, talk to you tomorrow.  X can be running an errand, an appointment, shopping, dinner, etc.  Think of excuses to get off the phone.  If they call back the same day, don't answer the phone, let the call go to voice mail.  I know its going to be tough, but I would not be surprised if your Mother and Brother have other friends/family they call to vent their problems to, so they just end up calling other people, if they can't get a hold of you.

  • Thanks for your advice ladies. It can be all too much sometimes. I'm going to use your tactics.
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  • It would also help if you looked at your own motives for wanting to be their problem solver. What is your pay-off for being their rock and support? Because you have one.

    In fact, you make it very clear that you want to continue to be the go-to, just not "so much" since their needs are so bottomless and you have new responsibilities in your life. It might be very tricky to manage the mixed message of "Come to me, just not so much ... And don't make me set the boundary, do it for me."

    Yes, the reality is that if you encourage them to seek new and better resources they will need you less or not at all. You have to figure out why that bothers you so much.

  • You've gotten some good advice already, but I just wanted to add that you don't have to handle their problems and you really can't anyways. It's okay to focus on yourself and your needs and put yourself first.
  • imageZestofLime:
    It's absolutely ok to tell family that you can't be their sounding board anymore and that they need to find someone else to help them out. 

    This is great advice.

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  • Is it the same complaint/s or are they just negative people overall?  I can relate on this a bit...my dad is a very negative person and I swear that he thinks if he's not bickering, then he would die.  If we're face-to-face, I will change the subject.  Repeat.  If he STILL does not get the 'clue', then I simply say to him, "Dad, there's nothing that *I* can do to change that..." or "Having *this* conversation won't solve *that*..."  If we're on the phone, I just make an excuse and say that I have to go.  I know it isn't a renound 'solution' but it's a quick fix and if he REALLY wants to speak w/me, he will sometimes avoid certain negatives that would steer me away.
  • I was this for my mother for many years.

    Why would it make you sad to not be able to carry your problems and theirs? They don't seem to care about not taking care of their own problems, let alone anyone else's. 

    It's not selfish to care about yourself above all else. 

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