It is pathetic when my parents make me a pawn of their games, i need help

@Archie0 (5636)
February 1, 2013 2:14am CST
This has been every time all my life. I am frustrated with the behavior of my parents. First of all they don't even care how we are living, especially my dad. He never even bothers to ask if we need some support financially or morally, Nothing. He cares about his life and his dignity My mom does help me a lot. But then she is always under my father's harassment and tortures. If he wants somethings from me or if he wants me to behave like he want or go to some place where he wants, he will blackmail my mother, and my mother is scared of him, she in return will emotionally blackmail me to do certain things. I have been doing what ever they want just because i don't want to hurt them, or i don't want to disrespect them. But not every time. Every time my father will torture and harass my mother and in turn i am getting crushed. Till now i have been sacrificing so many of my dreams, my smiles and my happiness because of my family fights. We as kids never saw good times in our family. This time there is another thing that my father wants me to do, i told my mom that i am not coming home. I told a lie that i got a real time job now and i cannot leave it and come as it is new. Now she is shyt scared how she will face my father and tell him i would not be doing his work. Whatever it may be i am not going this time. She has helped me with some money last month. What should i do? i am so confused and so upset.
1 person likes this
10 responses
@waflay (2737)
• Nairobi, Kenya
1 Feb 13
Sometimes back, I had this fear about facing my father when he was wrong. This really frustrated my efforts in trying to make a difference in a my family. After overcoming my fear, we had a good chat with him and I was amazed how understanding he was. From then, he changed to some extend. I just wanna urge you to be open with you father, talk about it and I'm sure he would listen to you. The most important thing he has fear towards facing you, take this opportunity as your base and tell him everything that has been bothering you. Just be careful, don't let your anger take control of you, this could ruin possibilities of making a well deserved change. By the way, lies is a circle that you don't wanna use to avoid doing his preferences, you have to come out clean and let him know what you think is right.
1 person likes this
@Archie0 (5636)
1 Feb 13
I tried doing that a thousand times. Even he had said that let us sit and discuss. But when it comes. He will end up concluding by saying " Oh! i din't know i am so pathetic, that means you want me to leave you all and go, i will" or "You have become older than me that you are going to teach me how i should be talking to you?" etc etc. All fathers are not so soft hearten waflay. But i seriously don't know why my father hates me so much! When i was born he had threw me out.
@waflay (2737)
• Nairobi, Kenya
1 Feb 13
Sorry Archie0, it seems he is the type that don't accept or understand defeat. His elusiveness even make it more complicated than what I thought might help. Anyway, it happens to the fathers who cannot accept counsel from their daughters, his masculine ego cannot allow him to back down from his bad behavior that easily. However, you can try another approach: what is you 'try' to be nice when he is not in his raging mood and absolutely unavailable when he switches to his huge ego? This way, he might notice you don't like his company when being forced to and vise verse. Sad that it depends on his understanding. Just try.
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
1 Feb 13
Hi Archie! You have narrated your side of story. Your woes and grievances may be correct up to an extent. However, you perhaps do not want to see the situation from their angle.. I think right now it would be difficult for you to show empathy. May be your father is arrogant or rigid and might have got some ego problems and he does not want to listen to your views or do not give weightage to your emotions but after all he is your father. If you have been staying separately and do not want to visit them, it is entirely up to you. But how long you would not visit them? Will it be a indefinite decision? In my view parents are one of your best well wishers, irrespective of the fact how hard they seem to you.
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
2 Feb 13
@Vandana - All men (read fathers) do not shout on their children, as far I understand. Majority of them always show concern for their children. Exceptions are always there. I agree that those who do not support their children and do not give value to sentiments of their children can not be termed as good and responsible parents. I have one point to make - Even if a father or parents are hostile towards their children, should children abandon their parents? (am talking in the context of Indian society). In my view, they (children) could only abandon their parents when they are financially, economically and otherwise fully INDEPENDENT and stable. [b]Will severing ties with your parents for ever will be a sane step in the long run? (It will again depend upon situation to situation but if there is something very very serious, they some children might force to take this step) Could you do it? [/b] Also, my views are generally based on my own experiences and knowledge and your views will be based on your own experiences (read bitter experiences) and knowledge so we would surely differ in our approach.
@Archie0 (5636)
1 Feb 13
Deepu, who would not like going home? I love my mom more than anyone in this world, i love my father as well. But my father does not like me coming home. Now what would you say on this? Because whenever i go my father says something bitter, or does something, where i am hurt, in fact my mother notices that he isn't good to me. Sometimes my brother has said that my father does not like me at home. I don't know i am confused with my life, no one would be so confused and tangled until they really have some problem to solve, i would be more than happy if i find a way out of all this, but this ain't that easy as it looks
@vandana7 (99017)
• India
1 Feb 13
Deepu...all men are not like you...they have huge egos...and the way they shout...I just got one from my father...so I know how it feels. Dont give that AFTER ALL ... I have been like that throughout my life...and I have regretted it...I dont want another girl to end up like me... Yes...parents are indeed well wishers..but parents need to change clothing...become friends once the child reaches a certain age...and be supportive no matter what when the child is young...and guide when the child is old...not shout and yell...that can make anybody want to run away...and do something drastic..effectively it is such parents that are responsible for kids taking their life, or running away from home. When the kid is young, and naughty ...yelling is fine...when the kid is old enough to understand ...why yell?
1 person likes this
@savypat (20216)
• United States
1 Feb 13
People do what ever works for them in a relationship. Your parents have been at this for so long it's habit. Aslong as it continures to work for them they will stay in their comfort zone. If you don't want to be part of this you have done the right thng by staying away.
@Archie0 (5636)
1 Feb 13
You are right, they won't ever change. And some habits can never be changed.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
1 Feb 13
I do think that you are old enough to be on your own. You can make your own decision and start leading your own life. Your parents need to know and realize that you are no longer the kid that they can push around in doing things their way. Help them understand that you also need to grow as a person. And with the way they are treating you, they are not helping you to become a better person at all.
@Archie0 (5636)
1 Feb 13
I know, i really want them to realize how much i love them. But i do not want them to take an advantage of my goodness. Being staying out for years i am so good not to break their rules and they never wanted me to fall in love with any guy. I never allowed myself to do that. Now they are not even able to search a guy of my kind and want me to sacrifice my life? And on top they want me to listen to every bit they say? If i respect them they need to do that same to me as well. Before any relationship i am a human being
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
1 Feb 13
That is true! But you must let them know how you feel about all these. They might be still seeing you as their little girl. And no parent has the right to make choices for their son/daughter all the time most especially if he/she is already an adult. You are now capable of doing things your own way.
@WakeUpKitty (8694)
• Netherlands
4 Feb 13
Take your hands of your parents, pull back if it comes to helping them out. Your mother has to deal with your father and his behaviour. This is not of your business. If your mother is afraid or let herself be blackmaild by her husband, so be it. She has to fight back if she can't handle it or doesn't like it. Instead she is blackmailing you and also giving you a very bad example. She is showing/teaching you to bend, crawl around, be on your knees for men! Tell your mother straight you won't help her anymore since it's not of your business. Start with your own life. No matter if you help her, of should I say help your dad, or not you will feel confused and upset anyway. Only if you change your behaviour there is a chance your parents will change. Let your mother be scared and fight for herself, her rights. You are NOT your father and it's NOT your job to do his! So stick to your story, stay away from home and build your own.
@subhojit10 (7375)
• India
1 Feb 13
Thanks a ton for sharing this discussion. Well i can understand your situation very well and i know how it feels like when u are stuck in such situations. I think as a children u have to make inroads in their fights and situation otherwise the situation would go out of control. It is indeed frustrating but as a responsible person u have to handle the entire situation. What say?
@Archie0 (5636)
1 Feb 13
But every time subhojit? i know i should, but it really gets on you some times. I feel so frustrated, and when i say say yes to everything they don't even care about my feelings, they think they can dominate me because they gave me birth. I still agree, but some where inside me says not all the time you have to be humiliated and crushed. This might be the first time i am saying NO, i am true. Because i don't know, i might even accept what they want later. I hate all this.
@vandana7 (99017)
• India
1 Feb 13
For some strange reason, myLot is not working...PM ...and even this box..I tried in other discussions and finally I found it is working hopefully you can see this The person's name is Vargheese Ittera His email address is vargheesei vargheesei.hyd@cnkonline.com He is my former colleague from Apex covantage..you need to use my name in subject line...he knows me as Vandy aunty.. Yes they pay.. I have lost one mail too many to feel comfortable writing a long post here. :) But as far as your post is concerned...you are doing just the right thing. Sometimes overbearing people need to be told ...hey ..you will lose respect if you do that...and when nobody listens to you what will happen to your respect and honor. Get what I mean...its ok..it isnt as if you are ending the world..so chill. :) Everything will be fine..:)
@vandana7 (99017)
• India
1 Feb 13
Oops..wrong box...proves I am old..
@nini89 (670)
• India
2 Feb 13
Hi Dear Archiie, Some parent have this type of habbits. If they want something to done they go emotional and gets the work done by any how. We as the child dont like to hurt the parents, and does what ever the matter may be. My parents were not like this, they don't get emotional, they put in front of us what has to done get any solution for the problems. As of out father is concerned we three children don't do much as he is at our country and mom is in the city. She is having the problems of diabetic and heart disease. We does all her treatment by ourselves. Dear you dont get scared, do what is right. Dont go for any wrong things. Be happy any way they are your parents and they dont make u to do anything which will harm you. Have a good day.
@Cutie18f (9551)
• Philippines
1 Feb 13
I wonder why your mother has to put up with that kind of atmosphere. Can't she break away from him so she will live her life? Why does she have to suffer your father's wrath and harassment? I think it's your mother's chance to put her foot down and tell your domineering dad to go to hell.
@jagjit273 (1754)
• India
1 Feb 13
Well l have been through this situation and now as my mother passed away. I am out of this. My father used to do the same deeds as you mentioned. Now he is not yet improved but now l don't listen to him much. I just care for my younger brother now. Just looking that soon he gets a job and when l got chance l wil flew away leaving my father alone. He never listen's to us and just do what he feels right. Now we also don't listen to him and do what we both feel right.
• Philippines
1 Feb 13
I feel for you so much..I ve been with almost the same situation last 3 years. My mom and dad pushes me to go abroad and it seem that all they care about is us to be rich. Im a family person but i cant take it anymore. All my dreams and hardwork are for my family,for us to be better but all they wanna do is to control our life. I left home and borrow money from my college friends and stayed somewhere. 3 years later, Im happy working and support my family needs as well.. Though there has been issues with my parents, Im not thinking too much about it anymore. Now im still living on my own and im happy and contented. Sometimes we need to follow are dreams and decide for our own but we are also responsible for what we choose to do.