Grandmother feels trapped in her own home
Dear Amy: My 36-year-old daughter and 8-year-old granddaughter live with me.
My daughter has a small business which brings in barely enough income for her to survive; it would be difficult if not nearly impossible, for her to get her own place.
My daughter seems to get involved in one bad relationship after another, pays minimal attention to her child, drinks excessively, relies on me for childcare, rarely helps around the house and frequently cannot give me the agreed-upon rent of $300 a month.
I am approaching retirement age, but feel I can't actually retire, as it will mean selling my house and finding something smaller that I could afford.
While I would be OK with telling my daughter that she needs to paddle her own canoe, I'm reluctant to abandon my granddaughter.
I've suggested, begged and hinted that my daughter get some counseling.
She has struggled with depression and anxiety and takes medication, which doesn't seem to help much.
Any ideas?
-- In a Tough Spot
Dear Tough Spot: Your daughter cannot reach her potential, as a person and a parent, until she stops drinking. Her alcohol use interferes with her judgment, triggers her depression and affects her ambition -- and the efficacy of her medication.
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