Family caregiving is often depicted as a loving opportunity to give back to the person who once provided care. But families are complicated, and not every parent-child relationship fits that comforting picture.
Sometimes the parent who needs help was critical, neglectful, or simply difficult. An adult child may have spent years creating a healthy distance, only to find that an aging parent now needs care and there is no one else available.
The term “loved one” is frequently used when discussing caregiving. But not every person who needs care feels particularly lovable. That may be difficult to admit, especially when others are quick to say, “But she’s still your mother” or “He won’t be here forever.”
Compassion, resentment, guilt, and responsibility can all exist at the same time. Families have a remarkable ability to inspire several conflicting emotions.