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Am I being selfish?

1K views 10 replies 8 participants last post by  Jessabel 
#1 ·
OK, so I am going to try to keep this as short as possible. I moved to my current location a year ago. My BF and I live with his 70 year old mother because she can't be left alone anymore due to multiple health issues etc. well, I just got happy here, I love my BF and his mother, have a decent job, have a great deal on a lease horse, and even became friends with the lady I lease from. I have everything I want for the first time in my life and I am content. Well recently her health is declining rapidly and my BF's family wants us to move 2 hrs from where we are at now so we can be closer. My BF's mother's BF also lives down there because that's the only place he has found work and because we are so far away he only comes home twice a month. My BF's mom is only happy when she is with her BF so by us moving he will be able to come home every night. The area we would be moving to is highly expensive and we would be broke again and just be able to get by. Am I being selfish by not wanting to move because I'm finally happy for the first time in my life? I really need advice here please :-(
 
#2 ·
I don't think your being selfish necessarily.

It is hard to pack up an move when you love where you are at. But it sounds like your BFs mother needs a change. And if her health is declining, I would go with what she needs. She is older, and most likely doesn't have nearly as much time left on this earth as you do. Someday, you will be able to move freely with your BF, wherever you two so please, but right now he has a responsibility to his mother. He needs to take care of her, and it sounds like he is doing just that. (Kudos to him by the way).

This doesn't mean that you feeling the way that you do is selfish. I would feel the same way. It is sometimes very hard to do the right thing. Talk to your BF about it, tell him you want to support his mother and him, but also tell him why you aren't looking forward to the change. Just having it out on the table will most likely make you feel better, even if it doesn't change the situation.

Oh and kudos to you as well for being supportive and thinking this through. It takes a big person to put the comfort of someone else above your own. Don't feel bad about not wanting the change though, I would consider it perfectly normal.
 
#3 ·
As her caregivers, I'd think you'd have the most say in where you want/need to live. However, you really do need to take her desires into consideration, since it sounds as if she's declining rapidly.

I honestly don't understand why her family thinks a 2 hour drive is soooo far. One of my best friends lives 1 1/2 hours from me, and it's never been a hassle for either of us to drive that distance. 5 or 10 hours, then yes, I could see the issue, but 2? Nope, shouldn't even be a problem.
 
#4 ·
Hmmm....

I realize you shortened the story a bit for brevity's sake - but I feel as if I am missing something important.

You and BF have been taking care of Mother.

Now other family members want Mother to live closer.

Why does that automatically mean you and BF have to move? Can one of these other family members care for Mother or offer her a room?
 
#7 ·
Just by reading this I wouldn't move! If the family members want's her closer then they pretty much move them self. To up root and move to for a short time thing not the best Idea. I mean if your happy where you are to move somewhere going to cost you and be broke meaning not happy just crazy to me! I wouldn't do it!
 
#8 ·
Have you all talked about the possibility of an assisted living facility somewhere closer to her BF and the other family members? Most of these places nowadays are basically individual apartments for seniors, where they live by themselves but there are round the clock staff there should anyone need help with anything. My great aunt was in one for a few years before she passed and loved it.
 
#10 ·
It's a bit rough, especially when considering the financial strain moving to a more expensive area could be.

I'd probably do something like stay where you are for a while and tell her she's always welcome, and she can stay with the daughter. And if she really requires your care she can come back, or if she's unhappy there she can return. If it looks like a more permanent move then in a while you can think about moving to. I don't think uprooting your life on a whim is something you should be required to do.

Two hours commute isn't really that much, more than ideal, but not a huge amount.
 
#11 ·
I think it's selfish of her to ask you to uproot your lives and give up everything just so she can be closer to her boyfriend.

You'd have to give up your job, your horse, your friends. How does she know you'd be able to find work? If you moved to a more expensive area and couldn't find a job, you'd be in trouble. And if you did find a job, you'd still be scraping by. That's no life.

It sounds like you've got it made right where you're at. I wouldn't give it up. Your boyfriend's mom doesn't have it so bad. She gets to see her BF twice a month, which is more than a lot of people get to see their loved ones. She has two people that are taking care of her 24/7. I don't think she has much room to complain. Two hours isn't that far away. And it's not like they're married. If things don't work out between them, you would have moved for nothing.

I say let her stay with another family member if she wants to go so bad.
 
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