FAMILY
TA KES
CA R E OF
FAMILY
Or what about the relative
who works abroad and has to
feed and clothe all his family
members back home because
the dollar goes a long way?
(Though let’s face it, it never
goes far enough, and there’s
always another reason to ask
for more money.)“Family takes care of
family” only works when
each member looks out
for everyone else. If you’re
taking but not giving, you now
have the perfect opportunity
to show your gratitude by
pulling your own weight, and
by giving back as well. And if
you’re a long-suffering giver
(and possibly even a St. Jude
devotee), know that a firm
and loving “no” is what
will actually make things
better. We realize it might be
hard to dish out that tough
love at that start—especially
if you’re worried that your
relatives might stop loving you
once you are no longer their
go-to problem solver, resident
martyr, and ATM. But here’s
the thing: You deserve to be
loved no matter what. Not
because you give your family
members what they need and
want, but because you are the
loving and caring person that
you are.It feels great to know that
your family will always have
your back—especially when
you work hard, try your best
to be an upstanding member
of society, and look out for
your relatives. But this motto
isn’t so great when your
guilt levels have gone into
overdrive, thanks to a needy
relative who always asks for
help—and seems to take
your support for granted.How many times have you
heard of an eldest child who
has had to put her younger
siblings through school? This
is all well and good when her
hard-earned pay goes to their
tuition, and the family is able
to elevate themselves once
everyone starts working.
But what if her younger
siblings don’t take their
education seriously and end
up repeating subjects, and
their “needs” include more
frivolous items like the latest
cellphone and stylish outfits?...but what happens
when relatives take
advantage?