Hello all!
I just turned 22, graduated with my bachelors and pursuing my masters degree.
I currently reside with my parents, older sister, two younger siblings , and my grandfather. Never been in a relationship, or been able to have friends over. I feel like it has caused a mental strain which have lead to anxiety , and symptoms of depression
My grandfather has been living with us these past 5 years after being in a tbi incident which nearly left him dead, which occurred around the year 2011. From 2011-2013 he was in the “best hospitals” in San Antonio and soon returned home in a retirement home temporary while we were able to understand the process. My older sister and my self were around 13-14 at the time. Since then he moved in with us from 14’-present. My parents have made it an obligation for us to be at home caring for him as we have since a very young age. Since then we don’t get the opportunity to leave home. My courses are online for my masters and I don’t socialize with anyone. My parents don’t think being home as a young caregiver has affected our mental state. They don’t think mental health is important and no matter how much we have tried talking to them they will avoid our mental health at all costs. Yes our grandfather has been a huge part of our life growing up but so is getting to know ourselves. We missed out on so many opportunities growing up being limited by my parents always bringing up our responsibilities with our grandfather at such a young age. I currently am not happy with myself as an individual since If we do try to care for ourselves it’s just selfish. I feel mentally older than 22, I started to become a caregiver since the age of 17. And with the limitations and not support from my parents makes me depressed and it’s just mentally killing me. They don’t want me to reach out for help but I wanted to see what I could do to talk to them about the importance of my mental stability. Having to take care of him , my parents don’t permit us to get a job that can help us network or socialize with people.
You are an adult ! You are allowed to move out, your allowed to get your own job, to make friends, your allowed to do whatever you please. You've been brainwashed, and manipulated into thinking that your supposed to devote your life to caring for your grandfather. You can still love him, and not be his caregiver . Start making plans NOW, not later, now, to move out of the house, your parents are going to have to find someone else to help care for him.
Do not waste your young adult life, and the rest of your life, caring for your grandfather, and then your parents. Get out of the house now. You allowed to go, to live your life, however you please, and if your parents can't accept that, then that's there problem.
Please keep us, informed. I wish you well. <3
Call TWC's Labor Law Section about child labor or payday law 800-832-9243 (in Texas only) or 512-475-2670 (Austin area and out-of-state).