Family & Friends

Does she need to “grow up,” or is she just overwhelmed?


I want some outside perspective on a situation in my family.


A 28-year-old woman in our family was recently hospitalized because her vocal cords were closing and she couldn’t breathe. She was terrified, felt unheard by the hospital staff, and has been dealing with most of this by herself. She’s now back home but still really scared of being alone in case the episodes happen again.


Her mom drove all the way from Michigan to Texas to help. But instead of being with her daughter, the mom is mostly helping her own sister take care of their father, who recently fell and now needs physical therapy and support at home.


So now the 28-year-old feels really unsupported and confused. She’s scared, she’s not fully sure what’s happening with her health, and she doesn’t feel emotionally safe being alone. She wishes her mom would be more present for her instead of prioritizing other relatives. At the same time, she sees her mom juggling a lot and doesn’t want to seem selfish.


The big question is:


Is it fair for her to feel hurt and scared and want her mom nearby during something traumatic?

Or should she “suck it up” and accept that her mom is busy helping her sister and father right now?


I’m looking for honest opinions, not judgment.

Does she need to “grow up,” or is she just overwhelmed?
Post Opinion
Texas