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My dad died last week and now I am the only male in the family.How do I procede?

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Re: My dad died last week and now I am the only male in the family.How do I procede?

#11
Okay, this idea that women are not able to manage household by themselves is not true unless they are not themselves earning a living. Your mother is earning(though less) so she will manage the house alright on her own with the pension and some help from your side.

From what you have written, I think your main concern is your sister's future and that is really laudable. But never tell anyone what not to do, because that never works. If your sister wants to become a singer, there is nothing wrong in that. In fact making money out of your hobby is one of the best things in life But tell her that singing is a very competitive field. And it is also a very exploitative field. If she wants to excel at singing then she has to combine that with STEM subjects. For example, there are university courses that teach mathematical music theory. This will give her an advantage in not only understanding music, but also maths and computing. She can then use that knowledge to create her music and songs that will have an edge over others.

Do not force her to become a doctor. Think of the patients too. Here is something to brighten up your mood and explain why: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh0-x1RFEOY

Re: My dad died last week and now I am the only male in the family.How do I procede?

#12
Very sorry for your loss, this is hard to digest, and I can understand all manner of thoughts go through your head during such a trying time.

You are together with your mum, sister, and grandmother, caring for _eachother_. They care for you, you care for them.

Not to sound too harsh, but we're not in the 50s or 60s anymore. We know today women are strong, capable and most of all caring. If you struggle with life currently, talk to them about it. They can help you atleast as much as you can help them.

Communicating openly and honestly about your feelings with them is incredibly important.

Don't worry about seeming weak to them - they will see right through your mask anyway as they are your relatives. Most likely you will find, that the expectations you put on yourself, do not match the expectations they have from you.

Hang in there!

Re: My dad died last week and now I am the only male in the family.How do I procede?

#13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wow, I had an idea I might not have my own family but when you said it.. I wrote this last night, after I wrote it I calmed down and have slept the night since and it does not look so grim now. I might have put too much responsibility on my self. I believe you are right, I have to put my foot down. My mother has to continue working, I will pinch in. My sister will have to work when she studies and she might have to t…

If there are so many apartments and $$$ is tight tell them to move in together in one apartment to reduce costs and rent out the rest. The guy to which you are replying is 100% correct. This is not the time for luxury. And if those women won't understand this and complain then ghost them: your life has priority: DO NOT LET THEM DESTROY YOUR OWN LIFE JUST SO THAT THEY CAN LIVE SOME IGNORANT LUXURIOUS LIFE! YOUR (FUTUR…

That apartment is my mother’s not mine. In the end it’s her say. Her friend has a nice empty apartment but she cannot find tenants. My mum says we have already enough problems. That apartment needs renovation with money I do not have. I can dream only now. She says asking for 50euros a month would be too much.

I do not think my family are freeloaders. And I do not want it to get to that that my sister becomes one. She actually is not materialistic but dad was awarding her for good grades, reading books.

Re: My dad died last week and now I am the only male in the family.How do I procede?

#14
post #12

Very sorry for your loss, this is hard to digest, and I can understand all manner of thoughts go through your head during such a trying time. You are together with your mum, sister, and grandmother, caring for _eachother_. They care for you, you care for them. Not to sound too harsh, but we're not in the 50s or 60s anymore. We know today women are strong, capable and most of all caring. If you struggle with life curr…

Thanks! Most comments here assume they expect everything from me. I don’t think so.

Re: My dad died last week and now I am the only male in the family.How do I procede?

#17
I know something about sacrifice (my father sacrificed a lot and in time i also did something similar) so i hope my suggestions are helpful to you.

1) First off, it is your duty to help and look after your Mother/Grandmother/Sister as long as possible. You are all in it together and each have to be clear about their responsibilities and contributions so that your family as a whole is stable. Best case is relatives/friends help out and worst case is you are on your own. The latter is what you need to prepare for.

2) Second, set your Mental Attitudes right. Build up Fortitude and dial down Expectations and Wants drastically. Your mantra should be "a bird in hand is worth two in the bush" until you achieve a financial sweet spot. The immediate future is going to be very difficult and unless and until you "keep it together" things are apt to blowup. Be prepared to do a lot of sacrifices.

3) Third, Financial planning and stability is everything at this stage. You and your Mother absolutely need to keep your jobs and bring in some steady income. Grandma can take care of household chores along with your Sister. No money should be "wasted" on anything frivolous. Everybody should know and be asked to deliver on their specific Responsibilities.

4) Fourth, i foresee your Sister as a source of possible problems in the near future. All of you need to sit down with her and make her realize the precariousness of your current situation and how she needs to "grow up" now. No unnecessary expenses and if possible she too needs to get a job asap and help out the family. Only after you have reached a financial sweet spot should she (and anybody else) be allowed to indulge in their "Dreams".

Good Luck!

Re: My dad died last week and now I am the only male in the family.How do I procede?

#18
One thing is certain — you need to invest your time and energy into increasing your income.

If you work "in a similar" job then economically there IS a way to at least level your income with your dad's (even if by switching to exact dad's kind of job).

Good luck pal!

Re: My dad died last week and now I am the only male in the family.How do I procede?

#19

The advice is am looking for is more to do with how do I deal being the only male, financial advice is also welcome ofc.

1. This is a weird place to post this, Reddit has several subs with a user base much better equipped to handle this.

2. You're having weird feelings because you're grieving.

3. You have a strange perception of the women in your family, as if they are helpless and need looking after.

3.1 That's a lot of pressure to put on yourself, they will be okay, you are not expected to be a white knight riding in to fix everything and support anyone.

3.2 I Guarantee they are not so helpless, 2/3rd of them raised you and have already been supporting your family and your dad.

Sorry for your loss.

Re: My dad died last week and now I am the only male in the family.How do I procede?

#20
post #12

Very sorry for your loss, this is hard to digest, and I can understand all manner of thoughts go through your head during such a trying time. You are together with your mum, sister, and grandmother, caring for _eachother_. They care for you, you care for them. Not to sound too harsh, but we're not in the 50s or 60s anymore. We know today women are strong, capable and most of all caring. If you struggle with life curr…

Thanks! Most comments here assume they expect everything from me. I don’t think so.

Talk to them about it
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