Follow
Share

Hi,
I am new. My parents passed on when I was a boy and raised by my aunt and uncle who are now in their 80's with failing health. They have two biological children and I had one bio brother who was killed. I never caught on until after a while that when my brother was alive he was the family scape goat and his behavior did not help any. After his passing, it seemed obvious that this role was passed to me. My aunt more so but my uncle also found falt with me - a lot of it and it was either yelling at me or the silent treatment. I did learn about boundaries and actually work as a MA mental health therapist. When I did set boundaries such as : "I don't allow ppl to talk to me that way and I would leave the room." I made some clear errors in the boundary setting and honestly it was out of fear that I did not directly handle it in the proper manner. I was afraid they would die soon after and I would be left with remorse. Although, I mistakenly landed into a few shouting fights with my aunt and uncle and their one son, I was tap dancing around at times - many times- to avoid confrontation. Here is my challenge: 1bother lives with them is primary care taker by default since he has been living with them for over 12 years. when my aunt and uncle were healthy, they made his bed, payed all the house bills, washed his clothes and every other need including using my dads car whenever he chose. They enabled him. He is on disability for health issue.
He is acting like a marter. He is holding a ton of resentment toward his brother and I for not being there more for my aunt and uncle. He is use to doing what he wants, when he wants. Him and I were in two massive arguments that got into name calling, profanity and almost physical. I learned from that lesson as I was ashamed of my behavior. I have not argued with him since. However, he has become more bitter and more bossy. It appears he will not saying anything about his resentment to his older brother but is arrogant and mean when I am there. My aunt also gets angry and now it has spilled over into being angry at her care taking son as well as many others. When I go to the home it is full of sickness (which I can handle because I do love them- but it is all the bitterness that my aunt and her son have which spills onto me that I can't take. To make matters worst, my uncle who was very sick has started to think more clear due to a new medication and I saw this past christmas week that he was in a very slight way becoming critical of me. To add, now my aunt's son got help which is a lady who comes to her house 7 days a week 8 hours a day. However in order to get this help, they needed to have no real money. my uncle never told the service that he had 35000 dollars in the bank and when they found out, he had to forfeit the money which messed him up emotionally. He is the type of person where money is everything.
I will stop all the details. 3days ago, I left the house in the middle of the night with no warning. I snapped. I have not spoke to them since. I was thinking of writing them a letter expressing my love and gratitude and let the mother and son know I want to and will help more than I have been. I live in another state. I want my aunt and uncle know I will be there for them but only if the yelling and fighting stop. I do not want to be around their son at the moment because of his actions -i.e waking me up in the morning by using profanity because something did not go his way- I sleep on the sofa when there so all he had to do was walk by me and raise his voice which is what he did. Should I call and confront my aunt and cousin which with my cousin will more than likely only to him yelling and cursing and probabally with my aunt also. I thought a kind letter was the best route and then follow up with a call. I thought they would feel the least defensive and at least read my letter. I could call both of them and tell them the BS stops now if you want my help because I refuse to be around this toxic environment. Make it short and sweet. Obviously they are not concerned about my feelings to act toward me as they do and yet I am being or trying to be considerate of their feelings.
Every time I leave that house I am emotionally sick for several days.
other factors- on thanksgiving my aunt got into a blow up with her granddaughter, son and another family member.
the second son has a wife a she is now becoming mean and got into a fight with the care taking son on thanksgiving. it was a family explosion at dinner.
christmas she was at the house and was raising her voice at my uncle.
this is a sick environment and although i want to honor my aunt and uncle for raising me, it does not give them and their son a license to be mean to me.
I hope I expressed this clearly, but please ask any questions if you are confused about this. I just want to add please keep in mind that this is not an age related problem with my aunt she has been "abusive" to me in past.

This discussion has been closed for comment. Start a New Discussion.
Find Care & Housing
thanks littlone,
Your comments are all valid and was glad to hear what you said about how you will handle the visits. I am thinking more about trying to craft the letter today. I am planning on sending one to my aunt and one to my cousin and possibly one to my uncle. PLEASE, any one else with thoughts, all are welcome. Regarding the first comments: Yes, I would tell a client that the only thing u can change in this situation is yourself. I would suggest a letter with love but truth and state if they are ever willing to change in a real and sincere way then I am willing to reevaluate the situation. This way you are leaving the door open for them to change but still maintaing healthy boundaries and staying in the relationship but away from the toxic behavior.
It is more challenging as all of you know when your emotions and family are involved.
(1)
Report

A letter sounds like a good non-confrontational way to let them know of your feelings. I just have a suspicion a face to face would result in another yelling match and no one gains from that. The rest of this sounds harsh but you need to take care of yourself!

I like the idea of not sleeping on the sofa. Honestly, they would see me a couple of times a month for a couple of hours and that would be it! Their toxic treatment of you is very unhealthy for you, physically and emotionally. Seems this is an obvious FOG situation -- your helping them is based on Fear, Obligation and Guilt. You appreciate them taking you in but obviously, a loving and supportive home was not provided to you. You owe them nothing!

You sound very caring and loving; however, your first priority should be yourself and your future. Call senior services in your area to find out what help they might be for your Aunt and Uncle. Maybe they can provide home care to allow the cousin time away. Frankly, I feel you should just stay away for a couple of months and put all this in its proper prospective! Best wishes.
(3)
Report

Thanks jean ur thoughts confirm what I was told by my spiritual adviser/friend
(0)
Report

It sounds like a totally toxic environment.

I would find a family of choice -- friends -- to spend holidays with. Thanksgiving in a restaurant with a friend would be a big improvement over what you experience. Send a nice centerpiece for their table but stay away.

Spend time with your aunt and uncle without family members present. Email their caretaker son, "I'm sure you must get very tired taking care of Mom and Dad day in and day out. If you'd like to take a few days off and go somewhere I can stay with them from Friday noon until Sunday 6 pm any weekend next month. Just let me know." Invite them to come visit you.

If you do visit when others are there, do not sleep on the couch. Get a motel room nearby, and leave for a few hours when things get too tense.

That is a toxic environment. I doubt that a letter from you is going to change the life-long patterns that exist there. You simple need to stay out of the poison-ivy patch you can't control or eradicate.

Others who have been in your shoes can advise you on whether writing a letter is a good idea. I simply don't know. But I do know that actions speak louder than words.

Best wishes to you and please keep us informed about how this goes for you.

PS -- what would you advise a client to do in your situation?
(2)
Report

This discussion has been closed for comment. Start a New Discussion.
Start a Discussion
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter