How to deal with irresponsible parents...?

I have had a similar experience, short-term, with a parent. Honestly, it's tough. If you've tried talking to them, which i assume you have, there's really not much you can do. i know that's not really an answer, but here's what I'm getting at. I've learned REPEATEDLY throughout my short life that you CANNOT change anyone, not even your parents. Even if you threatened to leave home early, chances are they wont change. Especially if it's the way they've been their whole lives. Would your grandparents let you live with them? Obviously they are aware of the situation, so maybe they'de be willing to let you stay with them til you graduate, of course there may be stipulations but at least you'd have some semblance of normalcy. If not, you'll have to stick it out, and if it gets to the point that ur folks start asking you for money, tell them NO. Giving them money would only be enabling them to continue to spend frivolously and wouldn't change a THING.

Who knows, maybe you moving out and in with another family member will make them realize that they are out of control. Maybe it won't, but it's worth a try. If you have younger siblings, that may be harder to do.

One last suggestion is to create some sort of outline for them, showing them how much money they could save if they do "this" instead of "that." It's a shame when the kids end up being more mature than the parents but it happens. I've been there. Basically you need to do something dramatic (i.e. move in with ur g-parents) and hopefully it will open their eyes. Because they will NEVER NEVER EVER change unless THEY want to. That i know for sure.

Irresponsible Parents

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How to deal with irresponsible parents...?

I know this question is odd, but my parents are really irresponsible with money and paying bills. My Grandparents pay their mortgage...and the phone/tv got cut off last night because they only paid half the bill. Thankfully the internet still works, my Dad comes home from work after only a few...

All the answers are very well thought out and put!

I feel for you very much. My husband and I have a very tight budget also. Especially now that gas is as expensive as it is. I do understand your parents circumstances and then on the other hand I do not. I see nothing wrong with sitting down with you and explaining their financial hardships. You sound like you are mature enough to understand and can take things well. That some circumstances are true to life and we all have our ups and downs. Sometime things go well other times it is all falling apart in front of us and there is nothing you can do about it except ride it out and hope for the best in the end. That is what adulthood is all about. So, I think it is ashame they don't talk with you about these thing. Maybe if you knew the whole story you would not feel as upset at them. Since they won't talk with you it may be because they are ashamed of themselves.

Your going to have to just let them be. Let them go and move on with your life. Until they are able to come face to face with their problems and confront you as a part of the family.

Just hang in there. Walk to the bus stop...you won't believe what you can do when you want something bad enough. (I walk 2 miles/25 minutes both ways to work everyday) Try to get a job and move out. You'll amaze yourself at the things you can accomplish.

Good Luck Becky

Wow, I'm sorry to hear that. That has got to be very difficult to deal with. My parents are terrible with money too, they are over $250,000 in debt and are still throwing away money on ridiculous things all the time. My dad squandered his entire retirement money on putting my sister up in an apartment and paid all her bills for a year and she didn't even try to get a job during that time!! But your situation is a lot worse than anything I went through with my parents...I am shocked that your parents can scrape by when your mother doesn't work and your Dad doesn't seem to interested in putting in long hours, I hope that doesn't offend you but with how expensive it is to live nowadays, everyone's gotta work! People our parent's age, are pretty much set in their ways and from what I have learned and you already know, they hate criticism. So I am not sure how talking to them could really help since I know you already have tried that. Do you have any friends that live near by with a car? Maybe work out with them a way for them to be your ride to work and give them gas money when you get your first paycheck? Or when your dad goes to work, see if there is a way he could take you job hunting after he gets home or on a day he is off? Not the best advice, but it's a suggestion. Best of luck to you.

You really should not be the one that should have to deal with such a problem.

A lot of people are really suffering these days with the rising costs of everything.

The possibility exists that your parents may be over extending their monetary resources in order to have things for their children, in order to give you the things that they never had when growing up.

It may be that your Dad is doing the best that he can in getting work.

Your question does not provide enough information.

However, if we could safely assume that your parents are just no good, and deadbeats, then there are options for the children in such a situation to be moved out of such homes and get foster parents. If this were the case, you might be placed, for instance, with your grandparents.

You do not tell us if your dad is a drunk and gambles away all the money he gets. You do not say that you are mistreated and abused.

I hope that this is not the case with your parents.

If they are just not mentally capable to deal with running a household, you might try to help them out by suggesting that they cut off the unnecessary expenditures.

For instance, a lot of financially strapped families today find that they can get along without phone service, without TV cable service, and also without internet service.

As long as mom has food for you to eat for breakfast and supper, and you have clean clothes to wear each day, and their love, you can make it for another year.

well pretty soon you'll be on your own and you won't have to worry you'll have probs of your own but at least your mature to realize what the value of money is. Sounds like your mom needs a job and if she had an income it would prob. help her to realize how hard she has to work for things and would be more cautious in there spending. Money is the reason why alot of people fight and thats sad. I had to parent my mom, for along time finally I gave up and she was really bad. But she did finally get a job and figured out life. Money will almost always be a problem for people alot of people live paycheck to paycheck. Maybe they need help with a budget sheet. You might find one online for free. Can they quailfy for food stamps? And there are food banks all over. even the churches will help with food there is resourses out there. at least maybe you guys could have more food. hope all gets better.

Look at it this way, your parents are showing you exactly what not to do when you are out and on your own. This is making you a stronger person, with more respect and honor for those who do work. That is what you will stride for all your life is not to be like your parents.

It may be driving you crazy, but think of it as a learning experience.

You'll be alright.

that's horrible!! i hope your daughter is ok that must have been so scary for her and your right a 3 year old wouldn't know any better it's not her fault and the child should have gotten a huge punishment. heck they could have been sued( not tottaly sure if they could or not because i don't know a whole lot about the sueing thing). but if my child tried to beat up a helpless little 3 year old baby he would b in huge trouble it wouldn't be just a grounding he would be in much more trouble then that!