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 Siblings Not Helping
 
 6/27/2007 7:05:28 AM
User is offlineE-Lily
1 posts


Siblings Not Helping
 Modified By host  on 6/26/2007 10:07:43 PM)
My husband and I take care of my mother-in-law who has a serious kidney disease. We drive her to the doctors, get her meds for her, fill out health insurance forms, buy groceries, have her over for dinner, etc. She's going downhill fast. I don't know how much time she has left--maybe a year. She'll move in with us soon. I love my mother-in-law--she is so loving and generous and my kids are crazy about her. I am glad to have her move in. But I can't help feeling annoyed with my husband's siblings--two sisters and a brother who all live in the same town and don't ever offer to help and rarely check in with her. They all have probelms--brother's chronically unemployed, a daughter has a son with serious disabilties (I understand why she's too busy), and one keeps having painful breakups with boyfriends. (She's a drama queen!) They are all in their thirties. My husband is the oldest. What can we do to include them? My husband says it's more trouble bringing them in, but I feel that this is wrong. My mother-in-law doesn't complain, but I sense she is hurt that they don't show more of an interest. She asks if we can invte them over for holiday meals and get togethers--they come but they don't offer to bring anything. Sorry this is so long-winded. But it bother me. Should I stay quiet or try to bring them into the caregiving? Is it my job to ask them to grow up? Any thoughts?



 7/31/2007 1:55:35 AM
User is offlineCommunity Manager
13 posts


Re: Siblings Not Helping

Hi, E-Lily. Thanks for venting and asking important questions about family dynamics and caregiving. I'm curious what other members of our community have to say about difficult siblings.

We have a few articles on the website that address this issue. One is titled Taking Care of Parents and the other one is Juggling Work, Guilt, and the Slacker Sibling. Please keep us informed as to how things are going for you and your family.

 9/6/2007 12:28:52 AM
User is offlineDavid-T
1 posts


Re: Siblings Not Helping

I think you’re right to keep the siblings involved as much as possible. But I have a question: What’s your agenda? To get them to help or to get them to visit with their mother more often? These are two very different agendas. The helping agenda could lead to frustration—they are in-laws, which is tricky. Also they just don’t seem like responsible adults to me. But your mother-in-law doesn’t have many days left. So encourage the siblings to visit your home (after she moves in with you). Hosting family meals or gatherings is a way of honoring your mother-in-law and letting her enjoy her children. Maybe just leave it at that, if you can stand it.

 11/20/2007 3:28:56 AM
User is offlineNorthwest
1 posts


Re: Siblings Not Helping
Hi E-lily,
 
Your husband should talk to them. You don't want to get in the middle of family dynamics, but it would be good for them to know that a little extra help would be appreciated. Maybe you can put together a list of simple little things they could do to help, such as call, bring her a meal, drive her to an appointment, invite her out or to their homes for a simple cup of tea if finances are an issue. He could email that to them. Or you could use this site to let them know how they can help, but it doesn't sound like they'd bother to check it out.
 
 1/11/2008 7:14:58 AM
User is offlinekaren23
1 posts


Re: Siblings Not Helping
I agree with Northwest. They don't seemed motivated to help out. I would stay out of messy family dynamics. It's not your place to straighten out your husband's siblings.
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