Family conflicts about money can become especially intense and emotional.

May is adamant that her son should focus on paying for his sister’s medical treatments instead of his in-laws’ rent. After voicing her concerns, the situation took an unexpected and painful turn. May reached out to share her difficult experience with us. Here is May’s letter:My son is his family’s sole provider. Recently, I learned that he’s been paying his in-laws’ rent. | was furious. I reminded him that his sister is sick and lonely, and if he wants to help someone with HIS money, it should be her because she could use a lot of help for her expensive treatments.

Today, I received a call from his wife sounding panicked. She started to yell and tell me that I have no business interfering in their finances. Later in the day, l received another call, this time from a real estate agent. To my surprise, he informed me that he could assist me if I wanted to put my house up for sale. Shocked, I told him that I didn’t want to sell my house and hung up. I asked my son what was happening, and he reminded me that he’s the one who paid for my apartment, and now if I really want to help his sick sister that badly, then all I can do is sell my house, move to a smaller flat, and give the money to his sister. I am deeply disappointed in my son. I still think that instead of trying to please his wife so badly, he should step up and help his sister. MayThank you for sharing your story with us, May! Here are some suggestions that might help you handle this situation. Establish boundaries.Define clear limits concerning your financial situation. If your son continues to prioritize helping his in-laws over his sister’s needs, provide practical assistance in other ways. For example, you could help with her medical appointments or coordinate with other family members to ensure she receives the necessary support without relying solely on your son’s financial help. Consider different options for financial assistance.Look into and suggest alternative ways to support his sister, such as exploring charitable organizations or financial aid programs for medical expenses. By presenting other options, you can reduce some of the financial burden on your son while ensuring his sister gets the necessary assistance.Talk directly with your son.Have a calm conversation with your son about your concerns regarding his financial choices. Explain how you feel about him supporting his in-laws and stress the importance of prioritizing his sister’s needs, especially considering her illness. This straightforward approach lets you express your feelings and clarify your expectations. Consider family counseling or mediation.Think about bringing in a mediator or family counselor to guide a conversation between you, your son, and possibly his wife. A professional can help manage the emotional and financial complexities of the issue, ensuring that all perspectives are considered and assisting in finding a balanced solution.Don’t be too hard on yourself.It can be tough to accept, but your son now has his own life, and you can’t always control his decisions. Try to focus on yourself and avoid escalating the conflict if your son makes it clear he won’t change his mind, as this might only worsen the situation. Take some time for yourself to reflect on your feelings. Dan found himself in a tough financial situation when his in-laws invited him on an all-expenses-paid trip to Hawaii, assuring him it would be completely free. However, once there, he felt misled when they asked him to chip in for a gift.