Favourite Child

Two siblings, 2 years apart, one (A) having to wake up early for full day lectures and another (B) having an 1 to 9 pm afternoon work shift the next day (Fri). The day before (Thurs), both A & B was on holiday. A did went back campus for event rehearsals, mechanic shop for car service and maintenance, buy lunch for one of the days from Mon to Thurs. B worked alternately between 9 to 545pm for AM shift and PM shift 1 to 9pm. On Thurs, A washed the clothes, dried them, send car to mechanics for repair of another problem, buy lunch and tea time snacks, cleaned and wiped the bedridden elderly, washed the dishes, packed the trash from whole house. B had a nap helped to prepare dinner and slept early. A was willingly helping B regardless, A prepare the milk and medicines for elderly, until Parent 1 comes while B was handling dinner preparation. Parent 1 drop a comment for A to go to check out what can A help out for B in the kitchen. This made A felt Abit uncomfortable as it felt like saying A did not help at all. A felt unappreciated, down, disappointed and wonders if what A did was still not good enough as B. But A let it slide and carry on helping. Night time, elderly needs to be wiped and changed to diapers to sleep. B had an early shower after dinner preparation and said went to bed for a short moment and may wake B up when need to help with the elderly. A thought B might be tired so didn't wake B up and did it herself. Parent 1 came to help but kept mentioning how tired B was and all so to let her sleep. A wonders again, is it not what A is doing? A is allowing B to rest right? Can A at least also get the same words? After done with the night routine of the elderly, it was alrdy 1130pm. Parent 1 continue to ask A, if A having lectures tomorrow and best to sleep early while inserting a joke to apply leave for tomorrow. In the mind of A, I also wish I could rest early, why are you saying oblivious things, did you not see what I am doing already. A finally replied sarcastically, I haven't taken a bath yet. It has been going on and on forever with similar situation happening. A thought I have always understand of Parent 1 and B's burden and willingly try to split it with them. But whenever, such comments of asking me to do what I am already thinking to do it or comments about how B did, A immediately lost the enthusiasm to want to help out. A felt like wanting to leave the place and spend some time alone to heal with things A love to do on her own.

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Ron Home April 10, 2025 at 11:44 am 0 0