High-functioning daughter has trouble stepping back
Dear Amy: I work as an executive assistant. I manage other people's lives and multiple calendars every day.
I am good at my job.
I have also had to take on all the "event planning" duties for my family (myself, my husband, parents, and my brother), as my mother has a degenerative neurological disorder and can't do that anymore.
Amy, I am burnt out.
My parents' birthdays are coming up. I tried to set boundaries, and still I was the one who made all of the plans and did everything!
My brother is useless, and while my dad tries, he lives on retired-person time. He forgets that Saturday reservations go fast for most restaurants.
My life is dedicated to other people. My husband and I fight constantly about how he doesn't notice that the sink is full of dishes or never gets the mail because the first thing he does when he gets home is to play video games.
I am not sure what to do. I don't receive commensurate attention for my special days.
I am ready to demand my father give me three-fourths of the estate because of all the work I do for them.
The worst part is that when I talk to anyone about this, including my therapist, they ALWAYS make me feel like it is my fault.
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