She was determined that her kids would not grow up like that, and we didn't. We had the best of everything and could have anything we wanted if we asked, unless it required that Dad spend time with us. The maid handled things at home, which meant no responsibilities for us or our parents. I thought that at the time, but when the divorce finally came and the money supply ended and the maid was no more, I realized just how bad it was. I got over it several years later, but many of my struggles to date are a result of the difficulty I have moderating mybehavior.
Old habits die hard.
All of us have problems managing money, living within our means and setting limits for ourselves without becoming too rigid, which can lead to a cycle of deprivation that spirals into a splurge with money, food or something else and the cycle continues. As a teenager and young adult, I managed to put myself in the caretaker role for my brother and all of our delinquent friends. I made sure everyone got home safely by chauffeuring them around, advised everyone on their family and interpersonal problems, brought home all the kids that ran away and helped them talk their way out of trouble when they got caught drinking or drugging. Although I was borderline delinquent myself, I was more responsible than the people I chose to run around with. Even as an adult and a newbie in the helping profession many years ago, I found myself rescuing people who were screwing up their lives.