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Hugs OP.
I would work on figuring out what to do about your DH and in the meantime get some house help for your own sanity. As for the DD, I think a heart to heart talk and a chore chart would help. You know kids can say mean things...try to not take it personally. Sometimes being a good mom is perceived as "shitty." It doesn't mean you're actually a shitty mom. |
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OP, does your daughter have any space to express her concerns, like in counselling or a support group for siblings of cancer survivors? An activity (even if it’s virtual right now) “all her own?”
She needs and deserves a place where she can be a little girl, and be be free of the burden of her sibling’s illnesses. If you don’t have the time to get her away, then see if you can access programs though Big Sisters or a similar organization. There is nothing wrong with expecting your 9 yo to do chores. There *is* a problem with you are relying on her to help run the house. Also, and I say this kindly - is there some truth to you not having expectations from your two younger children? Yes, you may not be able to expect “the same”, but you should expect the equivalent to their abilities. Both your younger children will not break if you give them chores, and “need” responsibility the same way your older child does. As suggested above, PEP classes may also be helpful. That said, you also need time away, and counselling to help you both collect your thoughts and explore your frustrations. Your DH has unfairly put the burden of pretty much everything on you, and it’s not your fault, nor is it your daughter’s fault that you are overwhelmed right now. You’re not a sh*tty mother, but there is nothing wrong with exploring how to become a better one. |
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OP, hugs to you. All introspection aside, please know that kids sometimes behave like little shits. It's almost a part of the growing process. You are to never take remarks like this seriously.
My kids are grown now, but when they blurted out things like this, I usually calmly suggested "why don't you go get another one? someone you like better? What's that? You won't? That's right. I don't see people lining up to get you, either. You're stuck here so get your crap done, then you can speak." |
| If it’s her responsibility to unload the dishwasher, then have a discussion about how that has to work (i.e. you run it every night before bed and she needs to empty it before breakfast). But calling a kid away from something fun that they’re doing because you want them to unload the dishwasher on demand is kind of unfair. Also, as someone who grew up with a younger sibling with high needs, it sucks. Make sure the chores and things are being doled out evenly. |
Yeah...my 3.5 year old assists us in emptying the dishwasher and other things around the house (cleans room, helps put in a load of laundry, etc) that are appropriate to his age. Having kids do chores is normal and expected. It is part of being a member of the household. Op is not a shitty mom the require this is an able bodied member of the household. |
I read an article today about how kids are suffering in foster care. I hate how people always throw out adoption as an answer to many of life's ills.i know of several people who basically graduated from foster care and we're never adopted. |