Super Senior Social

My only adult child can be a problem child. Continuously finding himself in unnecessary situations from which I’ve more often than not, helped extricate him. On some level I feel responsible for him not growing up to be a fully responsible, successful, self-sustaining human being. So I continue to dispense Band-Aids after one scrape or another.

Most recently, I loaned him a chunk of money. I say a chunk because I depend on my Social Security and part time job to live. Any large expense can become a burden. We set up a mutually agreed upon repayment schedule of $40 to $50 weekly. I’m lenient though and accept less or missed payments because I know he’s struggling; but trying.

Yesterday he sent me a $40 Zelle payment and I texted to thank him. ‘No, Thank YOU Mom’, he replied. I went to sleep feeling good about him and our arrangement. Early this morning I was awoken to his text asking for $25 back. Didn’t he KNOW yesterday that he couldn’t afford to send me his full payment? Yes, rhetorical question. Better question: Why was I surprised? This has become his repayment modus operandi. Give some and take a little back. I’ve come to expect it and usually I’m waiting, anticipating him to renege.

It’s finally dawned on me that this is a form of mental manipulation. He’s been pretty good at that over the years. Would I accept this kind of behavior from anyone else in the world? Unconditional love is a powerful thing.