Parents hit their child up for financial bailout
You were a child! You repay your folks by paying it forward and by supporting your own children.
Of course, adult children should try to assist their elderly parents, but so far, your assistance in the form of unrepaid "loans" has only enabled your parents to live a lie. This has harmed your relationships -- and theirs.
Your mother might have some awareness of your father's financial chicanery. At this stage you should meet with them, together, in order to discuss next steps for them. What if one of them becomes ill or incapacitated? What are their intentions for the later stages of their lives? Realistically, what is your ability to assist them?
Living a lie will always backfire. You can help them try to pick up the pieces.
Approach them with a loving and open attitude.
Dear Amy, I've been best friends with "Sam" for seven years now. We've always had a great friendship and have always been close. Unfortunately, her husband and I don't get along.
I look past that for the sake of our friendship. About a year ago, Sam, her husband and her child invited me to share an apartment. Everything went well for the most part. I avoid her husband, so there is no conflict. I usually spend a lot of time at work or in my room.
A few days ago, Sam's husband and I got into an argument. Sam decided to take her husband's side. And without speaking to me she gave our landlord her notice to move.
So now she's leaving me in a situation, because I can't afford to stay here alone.
She doesn't understand why I'm upset. We haven't spoken in almost a week. I don't want this to end our friendship!
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