I Grew Up in Poverty — Now My Parents Expect Me to Bail Them Out 💔
I spent my childhood worrying about bills, food, and whether the lights would stay on. My parents often said we were “just going through a rough patch,” but that rough patch lasted my entire childhood. Birthdays were simple meals, no gifts, no parties — just survival.
Now in my late 20s, I’m a doctor with financial stability for the first time. When my mom recently begged me for money, claiming my dad was sick, I said no. A few days later, my sister revealed the truth: Dad wasn’t sick — he owed decades of unpaid loans and debt collectors were showing up.
I can’t take responsibility for their lifelong financial mistakes. I worked hard to escape poverty, and giving in once would drag me back into it. But it still hurts to be labeled “ungrateful” for protecting my future.
💬 Have you ever had to say no to family? Share your story and advice — let’s talk about the line between helping and enabling.
