It's easy to see you are really overwhelmed. What an angel you are to take your Mom in.

You know, most 64-year-olds are still chuggin' along pretty good, so I would encourage you to let your mom take care of herself as much as possible. Also think of things she can do to help you around the house or with the kids. It will make her feel more like a contributing member of the family, and it will help you too. She may be depressed after the loss of her husband.

It sounds like the animals are really bugging you, and I can sure understand that! If their care is too much, definitely recruit the kids to help with all parts of their care. I suspect you are a person who tries to do everything and rarely asks for help, which makes things hard for you.

I'm sorry you lost your dad. Mine died about 10 years ago. You are still feeling the heartbreak of his passing, and surely your Mom is also. Maybe being welcomed into your family as a participating member will help her.

Good luck.

I know you are trying to be kind, but I think that it is important for your Mom and your sister to participate in your new family dynamics. I think it is important for your Mom to feel needed. If she is able, maybe she can take your Dad's dog to obedience training classes so that she is getting out some, and the dog is socialized to other dogs. If the situation doesn't improve with the dog, or if your mom is unwilling/unable to help take care of it, ask your sister to at least take the dog on weekends to give you respite from the stress of the animals. I suspect that the animals WILLL eventually get along. Try to take care of your marriage!!! Try to go out with your husband once a week, even if it's just for a walk. I've seen marriages get strained in these situations. It would do your mom good to spend time with your kids while you're gone. She may perk up a bit when she sees how much you need her to help you. We women sometimes try to be heros sometimes, but it is very important for you to not "baby" those around you and ask for help--you'll feel better and they will too! Remember, your mom may be acting helpless because you treat her like she is!! Give her some jobs so she feels needed!!

You've received good advice from the other posters. I'm 63, and I'm wondering why your mom is moving in with you. My son and his fiancee just moved in with me to save some money while they're going to school. I love having them here, but I can't imagine myself moving into his house, or my daughter's house, until I'm much older. At least I hope it happens that way. I realize your mother's circumstances may prevent her from living alone.

I was to reiterate what the others said about helplessness breeding helplessness. I felt overwhelmed many times during my husband's illness and after his death, but everything I learned, everything I had to do on my own, was empowering and left me feeling stronger. I certainly asked for help when necessary, but if I'd become dependent on others I would probably have experienced a downward spiral of more dependence and more feelings of helplessness.

It's the same with children, teenagers, and people of all agesÂthe less we have to do, the less we want to do...even though that doesn't promote feelings of well-being the way self-sufficiency does.

Best of luck. Keep us posted!

Susan

Thankyou for your posts. I forgot to mention that my mom and dad had no life insurance, and were living on a fixed income. Financially my mom cannot afford to live alone. I guess it wasnt a topic they discussed about what they would do if one had passed on. So thats where I came in and wanted to lift the financial burden on my mom.
I am so confused about the stroke my dad had that took him so quickly. I have been reading up on hemmoragic strokes and people do rehabilitate after these types. But the dr told us there was no hope. I wonder if we made the right choice to unplug the respirator. How can I live my life fully without wondering if there was hope.
I really do not baby my mom I guess I am just very compassionate to other peoples needs. My mom depended on my dad for everything. He cooked, cleaned did the finances. She really didnt have it hard because he was braught up that was by my gram. He use to cook with his mom in the kitchen. And oh boy My dad could cook yum. I am now the one making the dinners he use to prepare because I watched him cook.
I hope I am not enabling her by letting her move in. That wasnt my intention. I am the last person to tolerate helplessness. I tell my kids to be there best and the words "I CANT" arent allowed to be used in our home. I will keep you updates. Thankyou so much for your words. God Bless

I lost my Dad nearly 30 years ago when I was 19 and newly married. It was devastating. My mom was similar to yours and had to be sedated to attend the funeral. We had to plan it all, etc. She moved in with us for a while, but was still working and eventually we got her to get her own apartment after being stranded on the farm for five days during a blizzard with no power or water.

Could your Mom apply for Social Security survivor's benefits? And possibly apply for subsidized Senior Housing? That's what my mom eventually did. She only made $375 a month and they took about $125 for rent and utilities.

Consider one thing, you promised your dad you would take care of the dog. Sometimes the best way to take care of pets is to let them be adopted into a home that can best take care of their needs.

I had a similar situation with Mom. She was in the nursing home dying from cancer and asked me to care for her little dog. Mom had been living with her boyfriend who I think was her one true love in life. Anyway, we had Peanuts for two weeks and the poor little thing wouldn't eat or sleep. She was miserable. Grieving the loss of "her" mom even though we brought her to visit at the nursing home. When the boyfriend was able to drive the 2 hours to come down to visit, the dog just about turned herself inside out with joy. I told him to take her home where she belonged, she knew what she wanted. Les was worried that Mom would be mad or worried, but we talked it over and she agreed that Peanuts had to go back home. Mom passed away a week or so later. Peanuts lived another 10 years, very happily.

I am sorry for the shock of losing your darling Dad. It is such a painful time. So hard for your Mom since she was so dependent on him.