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Just finished Memorial Day weekend. Three full days and two half days of non-stop labor for family members who are simply too lazy to do things for themselves in a timely manner - or at all. My wife and I spent all of today in 90+ degree heat doing yardwork for others, and were driving home to hopefully rest before going back to work tomorrow, when her cell phone rang.
It was another family member calling to tell us they are planning to be at our house on July 4th for a party. The 4th is a Wednesday this year. I have to work both Tuesday and Thursday! We are not planning a mid-week party!
Another spirit buster this weekend was being told that we are expected to dog sit on June 23rd so the dog's owner can fly out of town for the weekend. We already have plans, with payment issued, to be at a one-day Car Show 200 miles away. Then they get all pissy when we say we won't be available.
Maybe we need to move away with new cell numbers and no forwarding address.
You don’t have family members, you have freeloaders who share your DNA, or married into it. Let ‘em get as pissy as they can, put the phone on speaker, and walk away.
Just finished Memorial Day weekend. Three full days and two half days of non-stop labor for family members who are simply too lazy to do things for themselves in a timely manner - or at all. My wife and I spent all of today in 90+ degree heat doing yardwork for others, and were driving home to hopefully rest before going back to work tomorrow, when her cell phone rang.
It was another family member calling to tell us they are planning to be at our house on July 4th for a party. The 4th is a Wednesday this year. I have to work both Tuesday and Thursday! We are not planning a mid-week party!
Another spirit buster this weekend was being told that we are expected to dog sit on June 23rd so the dog's owner can fly out of town for the weekend. We already have plans, with payment issued, to be at a one-day Car Show 200 miles away. Then they get all pissy when we say we won't be available.
Maybe we need to move away with new cell numbers and no forwarding address.
I feel your pain. You have a good heart. We just spent 2/3 of our weekend helping our daughter with her new home. I installed curtains, blinds, smoke detectors, had to go purchase a lawn mower, and actually mow the overgrown lawn.
Why did we do it? Out of love and because, like yourselves, we are giving people. Don't listen to these other hard a$$es. Continue to do it, but remember, retirement is YOUR TIME! Just tone it down a bit and realize, your family appreciates everything you do. Hopefully, they will be there for you when you need them.
I feel your pain. You have a good heart. We just spent 2/3 of our weekend helping our daughter with her new home. I installed curtains, blinds, smoke detectors, had to go purchase a lawn mower, and actually mow the overgrown lawn.
Why did we do it? Out of love and because, like yourselves, we are giving people. Don't listen to these other hard a$$es. Continue to do it, but remember, retirement is YOUR TIME! Just tone it down a bit and realize, your family appreciates everything you do. Hopefully, they will be there for you when you need them.
then why have a moan about it? he's either loving/giving and takes it in stride or, as it seems from the post, feels he's being taken advantage of which in the end is self-inflicted.
Have had a few of these in my life. As others have mentioned, learn to say "NO". The last one was the neighbor who lost his wife two years ago, I let his dogs out several times a day for a long while. No thank you, not even a few bucks. I finally said no and I'm going back to work.
Let them be pissy. Quit being a doormat.
It was another family member calling to tell us they are planning to be at our house on July 4th for a party. The 4th is a Wednesday this year. I have to work both Tuesday and Thursday! We are not planning a mid-week party!
That's crazy. So just what did you tell them? Did you chide them for making such an assumption?
I think if you really disliked doing for your family you would have stopped by now. I think you are getting something out of this, even if it is just the chance to play martyr or the opportunity to feel like you are the 'go to' guy.
You'll be here on the 4th? Great! I'll be cleaning out the garage that day, and could really use the help.
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