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- 💔 Stuck in the Middle 196 When Your Parent Refuses Help—And You’re the One Paying the Price
💔 Stuck in the Middle 196 When Your Parent Refuses Help—And You’re the One Paying the Price
Understanding this will make the process so much better
Brian Sacks
July 17, 2025
Issue #196 of Stuck in the Middle News for Thursday, July 17, 2025.
Topic: When Your Parent Refuses Help—And You’re the One Paying the Price
🧠1 Big Insight: When They Say "I’m Fine," But You Know They’re Not
There’s a special kind of emotional exhaustion that comes from trying to care for someone who insists they don’t need care.
They forget the stove is on. They skip medications. They can’t make it up the stairs safely anymore. But when you bring up help—whether it's a home aide or even just wearing a LifeAlert—they snap:
“I’m fine! Stop treating me like a child.”
This leaves you stuck—worried, resentful, and often financially stretched from picking up the slack.
Here’s what works:
Shift from “you need help” to “I need peace of mind.” Sometimes saying you’re the one who needs the support reframes the conversation.
Use trusted third parties. A doctor, clergy member, or family friend might have more influence than you.
Offer small trial steps. One visit from an aide, a 2-day medical alert system trial—low-commitment options can reduce defensiveness.
You're not alone in this. And you’re not failing. You’re just human, doing your best in an impossible role.
đź“š Things That Might Help This Week
Free Checklist: “What Can I Let Go Of?”
A printable tool to help you offload the guilt, tasks, and pressure you're carrying.
đź”— https://briansacks.samcart.com/products/sandwich
💬 This Week’s Question for You
Have you ever had to step in when a parent refused help—what finally worked (or didn’t)?
Hit reply and tell me. I read every response.
🛠️ Tool of the Week
Carewell.com – A one-stop shop for caregiving supplies with fast delivery, discounts for repeat orders, and customer service that actually cares.
đź”— https://www.carewell.com/
🧡 You’re Doing Better Than You Think
Just because your parent is difficult doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. Some days survival is success.
If you’re feeling the weight, share this issue with a friend who’s also stuck in the middle.
đź”— stuckinthemiddlenews.com
THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT BOOKS YOU CAN READ IF YOU ARE FRUSTRATED WITH A PARENT OR OLDER RELATIVE
grab a copy here https://amzn.to/3QIhlx7
If you are in this situation I think you will enjoy it!
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