I'm at a point right now where I envy friends whose parents have already passed on. So tired, only child, difficult parent -- even back when I was a kid, so I never really had a break. There are others who need me too; they are part of my life by choice. I do not have the time for them that I would like to give them and I am frustrated by my efforts to do for the elder being so much "for naught." I've gotten to the point that I do not want a pet in the house, have begged my kids not to start having grandbabies, am even fearful of doing volunteer work that I used to love because it was usually serving "needy" (not a money thing, the emotional side of needy). This is burnout, isn't it? Counselors cost money that I do not have. Are there any suggestions out there that don't cost anything?