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Am I selfish/bad for wanting to enjoy my new year’s weekend instead of running errands for my mom?

(97 Posts)
Browneyes87 Fri 31-Dec-21 22:13:11

Hi,
I want to vent about this because I’m not sure if I should feel guilty or selfish.
Yesterday my dad found out that he has covid. My mom took the test and luckily she’s negative, but she might retake the test on Sunday.
So now my dad is at home quarantined in his room and my mom is sleeping in another room. I offered my house if she didn’t feel safe but she said my dad might need assistance and that she’s not sure of what to do and she doesn’t want to go out until she retakes the test.

Yesterday my mom asked me to get some basic things for her like gloves, and sanitizers, etc. I went after work and delivered it at her door. Today she asked if I could get milk when I go to the grocery store and I said okay. The thing is that she also said: “I also needed to pick up a pair of pijamas at the mall but I can’t go out”. Okay that part is NOT an emergency and I want to enjoy my long weekend because I’ve been busy lately and haven’t had time for myself. My mom likes buying random stuff at the mall all the time and now wants me to sacrifice my time to go get something that is not urgent at the mall.

My mom relies on my dad to take her to places but now that he has covid she can’t rely on him. I am okay buying food for my parents and basic necessities because my dad has covid but I refuse to go to the mall over something stupid. I hate the mall, it’s always packed and I’m already helping my parents with basic needs.
Am I supposed to be a people pleaser?

Before dad got covid I’ve also done plenty of favors to my mom that weren’t considered “an emergency” and that’s why I feel like I need time for myself. I’m going out tonight for new year’s and I deserve to rest too since I also have a busy life.
I’m asking if I’m selfish because my mom seems to be giving me the silent treatment. Can I say no to some things or I always have to say yes?
Am I selfish for not wanting to go to the mall?

MissAdventure Fri 31-Dec-21 22:21:16

I don't think it's selfish at all.
I'm sure the pyjamas can wait a while.
Have you told your mum that you need some time to yourself?

M0nica Fri 31-Dec-21 22:30:45

I think it is very easy for parents, especially when they are not well, to start to rely on their children for everything and not consider the cost to their children.

I think you need to tell your mothe kindly, but firmly that you will provide her with all the necessities but yu cannot ddo more, you have been very busy at work and need the long weekend to rest and recover.

Your father, uness he is very unfortunate, is unlikely to be severely ill, nor ill for very long, assuming he has been vaccinated, so your mother will soon be able to collect the pyjamas herself.

valdali Fri 31-Dec-21 22:37:42

Don't feel guilty, I tend to do everything family asks of me & feel guilty if I don't but I think even I'd draw the line at going to the Mall for non-urgent pyjamas in my New Years' holiday. Sounds like you deserve a rest New Years weekend, hope you get one.

Elizabeth27 Fri 31-Dec-21 22:41:26

You don’t need to feel bad, make the most of the silent treatment.

Ali23 Fri 31-Dec-21 22:45:02

I think it’s a very good idea to kindly but firmly set boundaries about what is a reasonable request and what isn’t. It’s unreasonable to ask you to go to the mall for something non essential when there is so much Covid around and you are very busy.
That’s sensible, not selfish.

MayBeMaw Fri 31-Dec-21 22:56:08

You sound very young or am I wrong?
It is perfectly possible and not unreasonable to say “I am going shopping on such and such a day, and time, can you ring/text/message me with a list? “ And leave it at that.
(Most shops are closed here on New Years Day anyway - are you in the US? )

ElaineI Fri 31-Dec-21 23:06:51

Isolation is only 10 days not forever! Just say no to the pyjamas unless she has none and yes to essentials. I've done shopping for DD1 and her family whilst they were in isolation - some of it Christmas shopping but was happy to help and happier still that they didn't end up in hospital because I love them and they would do the same in reverse.

Hithere Fri 31-Dec-21 23:36:55

Not selfish at all!

If you feel ok with it, tell your parents you have availability from x -x on x day for whatever they need and that's all.

Marydoll Fri 31-Dec-21 23:49:41

My mother was like that for most of my life. It got to the point, that despite being very unwell, she was still demanding I run after her.
That was until my GP had a word with her and told I needed to rest in bed for a week, ( not exactly the truth) and wouldn't be able to run errands. It was such a relief and guilt free!

My mother was an expert at making me feeling guilty, its emotional blackmail.
For the sake of your own wellbeing, listen to the advice given here and look after yourself too.

nadateturbe Sat 01-Jan-22 06:01:40

I too understand your need to enjoy yourself and relax. But I also feel sorry for your mum. And I understand not wanting to risk the mall if it's not safe. She's probably just looking forward to getting the pjs. When she's able she can choose a quiet time to collect them.
If it's only for a short time I think I would ask each day if there is anything they need. That's what I'd be doing...if my mum was still here. I wouldn't think of it as "people pleasing".

Marydoll Sat 01-Jan-22 09:03:32

There is a difference between looking after parents and supporting them and being constantly bombarded daily with demanding phone calls. My mother never knew my mobile number, ( a deliberate action on my part), so constantly phoned my school and friends if she couldn't contact me.
It eventually affected my mental health. It is very difficult to find a happy medium.

Charleygirl5 Sat 01-Jan-22 09:30:16

Browneyes I think your mother has forgotten what it is like to work and manage a home without adding hers to the list. Do a small shop for her, fine but not milk today, bread tomorrow etc.
Tell her you are exhausted and need time to yourself.

eazybee Sat 01-Jan-22 09:39:08

If your mum is giving you the silent treatment that means she isn't asking you to run errands.
Should she contact you with more requests simply agree pleasantly and say you will pick it up next time you go shopping, well after the New Year's holiday. You can't take her anywhere because she should be isolating.

Anniebach Sat 01-Jan-22 10:18:07

Surely it’s only for a short time , your mother must be worried about your father and having the virus herself.

Aveline Sat 01-Jan-22 10:22:20

I must say I'm quite surprised at your attitude. In your shoes I'd want to help my parents in whatever way I can. You haven't actually done very much after all. I wouldn't be able to rest or relax if I thought my parents were ill and alone. Up to you of course. Just my opinion.

highlanddreams Sat 01-Jan-22 10:32:44

you're not being selfish, just tell your mum you'll happily get emergency supplies but you're not going to the mall because of covid risk, surely she'll understand that ?

Calistemon Sat 01-Jan-22 11:05:04

I agree with MayBeMaw, Anniebach and Aveline.

The shops will be shut today anyway, tell your Mom that you will buy the pyjamas next time you are near the Mall.

Your Mum must be upset and worried; are they very elderly?

I’m going out tonight for new year’s and I deserve to rest too since I also have a busy life.
I hope you don't catch Covid if you're out mixing in crowds of people.

Calistemon Sat 01-Jan-22 11:06:08

highlanddreams

you're not being selfish, just tell your mum you'll happily get emergency supplies but you're not going to the mall because of covid risk, surely she'll understand that ?

But she said she's going out for "New Year's" (sic)

Aveline Sat 01-Jan-22 11:07:39

I expect your mother had a busy life too but somehow managed to care for you when you needed it. She deserves some consideration now.

Purpledaffodil Sat 01-Jan-22 11:21:09

Do they use online shopping ? That would satisfy her shopping need and the postman would do the running around! ?

Summerlove Sat 01-Jan-22 12:00:22

Aveline

I expect your mother had a busy life too but somehow managed to care for you when you needed it. She deserves some consideration now.

She’s getting consideration.

She’s just not getting pjs and daily deliveries.

MerylStreep Sat 01-Jan-22 12:09:42

Why didn’t you ask her why she wanted gloves and sanitizer when she was in her own home with soap and running hot water

Aveline Sat 01-Jan-22 12:18:21

Summerlove such grudging support for elderly, ill patients doesn't bode well for their future. But hey ho as long as she gets her partying.

Summerlove Sat 01-Jan-22 12:23:45

So what should she do? Martyr herself for them?

It’s not about the partying so much as it is about filling her emotional bucket. Fulfilled people help others better than empty people

That anyone would begrudge her taking time for herself, after she got her parents the necessities is mind blowing to me.

I’ve recently helped a relative who broke a bone and couldn’t drive. I went out of my way some days, but by and large stuck to a schedule on which days I could deliver. 3-4 times a week vs 7 days. I grocery shopped more in that six weeks than I do in 4 months. I suppose you’d think I left them to rot as well.