For years, I sent nearly half my paycheck to my parents, believing it was my responsibility as their only son. I thought it was love, or at least what love looked like. But now, with my wife pregnant and a toddler to care for, our bills are crushing us. Last week, I told my parents we couldn’t help financially anymore. They took the news badly—my mom called my wife, accusing me of abandoning family, and my dad warned me not to come crawling back later.
Then the backlash began. My parents called relatives, painting me as selfish and ungrateful for stopping money transfers. Even my aunt scolded me, saying they sacrificed everything for me. It feels like everyone has turned against me. My wife insists I stand firm and prioritize our family first. It’s a painful choice, but I wonder—was I cruel to stop helping, or is this what growing up really means?
I’m torn between the family I was born into and the one I’m trying to build. My parents’ harsh words haunt me—I feel guilty, like I betrayed them. But I’m exhausted from sacrificing my own financial security for people who don’t seem to appreciate it. It’s hard to know where loyalty truly lies.
I don’t have all the answers. I just know I had to protect my wife and kids from being crushed by debt. Maybe standing up to my parents was the only way to take control of my life. Even if it means losing them.
