My amazing father passed away three days ago. I was his caregiver for 4 years with Altzheimers. I asked my sisters to help out with him over and over, and the answer was always NO. I put my life on hold to take care of my dad. I drove 40 miles every day to take care of him for 4 years. My sister lives 4 hours away and visited 2 times a year, thats it! No help at all, even after I begged. Well last week I called her and told her dad has a seizure and has 24 to a week to live. She came own with her 2 sick dogs, who are cages 23 hours a day, and bark constanty! Now my father passed away and she is now staying? My mom is 80 and is in amazing shape. We dont need her help now. So now my mom wants to travel, but my sister has two dogs and you can't travel with dogs. Now my mom feels obligated to stay home! I offered to drive my sister and her dgs hie today so mom can live her life after dad and she said no. She said you can travel without me. She knows my mom would never leave her home. My sister is now asking to travel with us? She has no money and no job! She is expecting my mom to pay for her to go to Alaska and Australia? Its sad she now wants to stay after dads gone, but refused to help when he was alive! How do i get her to leave and my mom to let her go?
You must be terribly bereft and upset about your dad's death. Focus on you right now. Be good to yourself. Plenty of sleep, fresh air, healthy food and exercise. Maybe see a grief counselor and talk about your situation. You are decompressing from stressful caregiving and your dad's loss. Don't alienate your sister by lashing out. You are feeling strong emotions that are looking for an outlet.
Give it a week, at least, for everyone to adjust to the loss of your father. Then revisit the various conversations - don't have them right now, when all the feelings are so raw.
If mom is vulnerable and susceptible to being taken advantage of, I would try to nip that in the bud. Has mom signed a Durable POA and Healthcare POA? I'd get that done ASAP, if not. That way you will have authority to make some decisions if mom can't later on. It sounds like you and sister may not work well together.
Things to consider:
Has sister abandoned her home? Doesn't she have bills to pay at her home, utilities, etc. What's going on there?
Why is her dog sick? Do they need medical attention? Maybe that's why they are constantly barking. Keeping them in a crate 23 hrs a day is cruel. I would not tolerate this. Does she have money for vet visit? The dogs need it if they are sick.
How many clothes did sister bring? Is she camped out for the long haul. I wouldn't want a moocher to camp out too long if she is not going to help mom. I'd keep my eye on that. Are you staying in the house with mom too?
Are the constantly barking dogs bothering mom? I'd be blunt about that.
So, while sister's visit is up to your mom, I'd keep my eye on her. Sometimes, parents reward the most ungrateful and laziest child in the bunch.
OH, is sister waiting around in hopes of getting something from dad's Will? Maybe if she gets something, she'll leave.
And yes, sister's "timely" arrival seems highly suspect. She's just there stirring a pot-when she's had nothing to do with mom & dad for ages? Giant red flags are flying.
Be tough with this sister. I personally am horrible with confrontation and don't do it well--but I can man up and do it. If she's there for some inheritance, well, let her know if she is or isn't inheriting anything (likely not as usually all the assets pass from the deceased spouse right to the living one--dad left us kids nothing)
Let your mom have the grieving time she needs. Yes, a trip would be nice, after a few weeks. But the last person I'd want to take would be the sister with the sick dogs. As far as her feeling guilty-- well, she probably does, but taking her on a nice cruise won't assuage that. She has to deal with her "guilt" on her own.
Now, be the bigger person and stop with the drama. Honor your mother's wishes and your dad's memory by acting like an adult.
So, so sorry to hear of this. It doesn't help to know that a lot of other people have gone through similar situations as you. But we have, and do.
I also, cannot be "fake" for my mother. I had an abusive brother, when she finally heard about the years of abuse, she blamed me for it. Still does. When he died she said, "I bet you're happy NOW." There's no explanation for these leeches in our lives....they seem to get a free ride as to their behavior.
I have no idea why you mom is doing this. Grief at losing dad, and the sudden return of a prodigal child may make some sense to you.
You have done the right thing for a long time. Go to your dad's funeral and then just let mom be. Easier said, than done, for sure. I'm so sorry about your daughter.
I wonder how long sister will last if Mom's heath starts to fail? Not long, I imagine.
My heart aches for you & your pain. Grieve your dad and know you did what he needed and wanted. Be proud of that. Get away from mom & sister and live a life separate from them. Go on a vacation and just...breathe.
Hugs.
But unfortunately Mom needs to make her own decision if Sister stays or goes...
I do agree that it's much too soon after your father's death to be making life changing decisions, but that also applies to both your mother and sister.
Giving her the benefit of a doubt, she might be suffering from guilt because she hasn't been involved, and now wants to be involved with her remaining parent, but I think there are some underlying financial issues that haven't surfaced yet.
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