A recent response to my caregiving situation as emotional/mental whiplash was spot-on.
Current situation: we've had TV sound/earphone problems in Mom's room requiring days/weeks of troubleshooting/frustration. Mom said she didn't "need sound" but when I asked if she truly wanted to watch her one TV channel without sound for the next months/years while she is here on hospice, she said yes but she felt bad for bothering us.
Here's the dance: "I don't want to bother you" = I really want it but I don't want to outright ask and I will wait for you to volunteer. I don't think she means it, as it is a very embedded Japanese trait. I've been participating in this dance my whole life.
She has said she would go to Assisted Living (while on hospice) because she knows what a burden she is and never wanted to hold me back but I know this dance. She is actually thriving and happy while living with me and I don't see the end anytime soon.
Having said that it would almost be "more work" placing her there and having to visit several days, if not more, weekly. Why visit so often? As she has said she doesn't need anyone but me to make her happy. When living independently 5 houses away I visited daily, knowing/feeling her happiness depended on me. My brother-in-law said it seemed to be "my problem, not my Mom's". I don't know why but I found this very hurtful and unsympathetic to the complexity of a lifetime dance. It's just not that easy and doesn't help my already conflicted/fragile state-of-mind. I'm afraid that once I place her she'll pass sooner rather than later and the last part of her life without my frequent visits will be sad. This is exactly how I never wanted it to be--I was a great daughter until the end, when I "blew it" and she died sad and, perhaps, alone.
Is this "my problem"???
And this same.person would leave a bed bound person alone to run errands with only a camera to monitor the elder.
So why do I share that with you? We all get comfortable in our "roles". We all have a part to play and for many of us it goes back to childhood and may be cultural, familial or some combination of family secrets who knows. But it is ingrained in who we are and how we interact with people including our parents.
Maybe when your BIL said it was a "you problem " he has observed that you try to please her before she even let's you know what she needs or anticipate her needs or cover up guilt that you'll make her feel bad. I don't know your family history. I know I jump in for my DH and SIL because it is very hard for them to, I'm the protector. That is my assigned role. Normally I'm a total peacemaker in every other area. But with him I go total mama bear. Because I know what he did to them and why it's hard for them to stand up to him and now they are his caregivers.
So maybe consider why you have the reactions to your mom. Is there some guilt that is ingrained from childhood. Do you respond to her a certain way because she built that response into you as a child? I have some auto responses with my mom. My girls have auto responses with me. There are just some things we just get used to and don't even know we do it. Sometimes out of love. Sometimes out of self preservation. Sometimes guilt.
There is nothing wrong with her going to AL if that is best. If you want her with you and she is happy and safe, awesome. If you don't that's awesome too. Because that doesn't say anything different about your character. It just says you want to make sure she is somewhere safe where she can get the care she needs.
People so often associate caring for a loved on as hands on care. I feel like I have a duty of care for my loved ones certainly. Even FIL. (sigh). But I don't necessarily feel like that duty of care requires me to provide the care myself. I think we have to give ourselves grace and stop thinking we are the only ones who can do something.
Take a real look at why your mother's passive aggressive dance bothers you. Take a look at why your BILs comment bothers you. And give yourself permission to think about what you want and need not just want your mom wants and needs.
Your mother deserves to know that you love her and help her to your best ability, but not to the unreasonable expectations of your traditions.
You don’t want her to think that you love her any less because you can’t be superwoman.
Believe me, any loving mother will understand and accept her children as they are.
I also recommend you talk to a grief counselor. He/she can give you validations and clear perspective on your situation.
From my perspective, you have NO reason to feel any guilt.
Do your best and be at peace with it.
I fear for the day that heaven forbid my mother survives my father. I feel awful saying it, but I actually dread it. She plays the same dance your mother does. Won’t come out and say what she wants, and if I don’t guess correctly- she’s miserable and then it’s my fault. My days depend on her days. My life is not my own, even now. I’ve done this dance for so long, I don’t know how to get off the dance floor.
All said, I don’t have answers, I’m only writing to let you know you’re not alone.
Your BIL is indeed out of line, he should zip it. It’s good to vent, so continue to reach out on this forum. Or to me directly if you’d like. I have no one to vent to, my brother is like your BIL. This forum is a Godsend. Good luck and hugs to you 🤗
holly, you wrote:
"I am a very happily independent single woman and because my brother is married, he’s not depended on the way I am."
same here.
but it's absolutely not ok, for your parents (and siblings) to dump all the problems/stress on you. it must be divided between siblings. everyone can contribute in some way. even a minimal way, can make a huge difference to someone's life (yours, and your parents').
---------and actually, i'm not so sure it has to do with your brother/my brother being married.
---------it has more to do, i think, with the fact that, holly, we are women. you could have been married, and probably, it would be exactly the same scenario!!!
...maybe you would like to get married (if/when a wonderful man appears). and your brother's inaction, has consequences on you meeting people, maybe your career, etc.
it has many consequences.
meanwhile, you helping your parents, is supporting your brother's life!! you're making it possible for your brother to have a nice family, nice career, get wealthy. it's thanks to you.
if you didn't exist ---- even though your brother is married, he would have to do a lot more (whether that's finding a facility, whatever. he would get the STRESS/PROBLEMS).
some men (of course, some women too) are extremely selfish.
if your brother, holly, shows he cares about your life, and the consequences on your life for his non-helping, that's at least a step in the right direction.
---
dear holly,
you wrote:
"My life is not my own, even now. I’ve done this dance for so long, I don’t know how to get off the dance floor."
hugs.
there must be a way out.
please don't sacrifice your life.
you are a woman.
you have a right to a full life, not just your brother having a right to a full life.
this world is full of sexism...and other "isms"...
say NO to this sexist thing, that 99.99999% of the people caring are women, while men go and enjoy their lives, getting wealthier and wealthier, while we women often get poorer, and poorer.
you said, you're in the same dance (guessing/being punished for guessing wrong)....by the way, i'm in the same dance.
...in my case, and i believe in your case too, it's actually because by your mother not EXPLICITLY asking what she wants/requests, the responsibility is dumped on you. you see, as long as someone else is making decisions/doing things, she thinks she can blame you. for example, let's say you organize in-home caregivers (she didn't explicitly ask you, but secretly she wants this). let's say the caregivers are objectively awful people -- your mother can blame you. whereas if your mother is the one who asked explicitly for something, then suddenly she's responsible for some decisions that were made.
it's all about keeping things open, so she can BLAME her daughter, later....
---
you said, your life is not your own.
please don't let it be like this.
when i was a child...around 3 years old...
my father asked me, "who owns you?"
i was certain he does, so i said, "you own me, father!"
:)
he said, "no, you own yourself."
every year, he asked me the same question.
every year, i said, "you own me, father!"
at some point, i said, "i own myself".
bundle of joy
I think what your BIL meant was that you have never set boundries with Mom. We should not let our parents think that we are the only one that can make them happy. When a spouse passes the surviving one needs to find a life of their own. Sadly this does not happen. Then, usually one of children, is made to think that they need to give up their life for the parent usually a daughter. Especially, in certain cultures.
Now is not the time to set those boundries. If Mom can afford an AL, she can afford an aide. That will give you a chance to get away. Its Christmas. Do what you enjoy. I am assuming Mom is at your house. If she is OK staying in her room and watching the TV so be it. DON'T ASK, just do. Think she may like something to drink, take it to her. U just baked, take her some of it. You know your Mom well enough to know her likes and dislikes. If she wants something, she is able to ask for it. You will always hear "I don't want to be a burden" when u ask if she needs anything. Its a passive-aggressive response.
I finally learned that I should not take on the guilt that I "blew it" or "messed up" just because she framed it that way in her mind. I also learned that sometimes I had to choose what was best overall either for me or for both of us, even if it was not what she preferred.
With all compassion, I will say that while my mother did prefer to be home with me instead of in a facility and I am glad I was able to do that for her, I really should have placed her in a facility sooner. BUT with an understanding that I would not necessarily visit numerous times as she may have liked because that would have indeed been "more work" and draining for me to have extra travel.
A therapist is definitely something you should do for yourself and your mom. The stress of your obligations, hurt and confusion affects how you think about and act with her and it also affects how you interact with others or at least your demeanor overall.
Once my mother passed away, I discovered that my stress/sadness/frustration had been affecting my kids far more than I realized. They and other people around me had been able to see how worn out I had become. Have you ever been around someone who was sick, hurt or sad? Remember how you felt sorry for them or maybe weren't sure how to help or what to say? I think to some extent the friends/loved ones of burnt out caregivers can feel that way.
All that being said, your mother is not going to release you from the expectation to do what she wants. She is in a difficult situation, for sure, and probably doesn't realize her reluctance to express her true feelings causes more stress for you instead of less stress.
You have to stand up for yourself and be honest (but still respectful) with your mother about what you can handle, what you need from her, etc. I believe it is our responsibility as children to honor and respect our parents, to make sure they are safe, fed, housed, etc. and be there for them emotionally and physically in a reasonable way....but we are NOT ultimately responsible for their happiness. That is a job to big for any one person.
Your mother has decisions to make. You can help her make good decisions, but you have to be okay with letting her experience the consequences of her decisions. She may adapt better than expected to some changes if you are resolved to stick to your guns and are firm, but positive when enacting them. But even if she resists, gets sad, etc. it is not your fault she chose that response.
I say this again with compassion, love and respect. It took me a long time to learn the things I am saying here and I still didn't act perfectly on that knowledge after I learned it. God bless you.