Help!!! I feel as if I am being pulled in all directions. In January of 2008 I was laid off. At first I thought it to be a blessing in disguise as it would give me time to sort things out, assist my elderly mother with her business affairs and brand new tenant. From the moment the tenant moved in she came to my apartment with constant daily requests. Simple things like screw in a light bulb, hang her curtains move her TV etc. etc. She also almost burned down the house twice all the while constantly demanding. She even told me that I was supposed to be there at all times in case of need. Being that my mother was elderly I accomodated all the while trying to handle my own affairs, raise a fifteen year old daughter, and be the arms, ears, hands (yes hands, my mother cannot open a jar because she is too weak from spending 40 years laying in bed due to slipped dics.) and legs of this house. I do not drive due to medical conditions of my own. So everything I do is on foot or public transportation. I was also expected to send money to a nephew who was incarcerated. His father, my brother, lives in Brazil and gives no input. My mother who cannot do wants someone to do for him and that is left up to me. I am a epileptic, taking medication and my dosage, and added medications due to my stress have increased. So have the costs since I am no longer insured. I can't stop taking these medications but I can no longer afford them. I thought I was doing what a good son would do because I live in the home on a separate floor and pay rent. Yet if I ask for some time to get my life together my mother curses me, and threatens to sell the house knowing that I cannot afford an apartment now. Where do I go with a fifteen year old child? If my mother knew the true expense of raising a teenager today.....but no, she would not understand because she was not a very good mother and that is why my brother and sister are cordial at best. She always played one against the other. Now i don't leave the house because I never know what will come up. And when I make plans to do something, if only to go for a walk something interferes. I know much of my feelings stem from guilt, but the lack of appreciation for what I do is appalling. I understand why my daughter can't wait to get away form here. She is my only joy, but soon I won't be able to be the Dad I was. I had a life when I was working, and no one intruded upon it because I didn't have the time. Funny but when I would go on vacation I wouldn't let anyone know (except my daughter) although I was sitting right in the house. My mother can drain the life out of anything and she can take the joy out of being alive. I need to know what I can do with such limited resources.
