DEAR ABBY: I am a community college sophomore (age 20) in an international honor society, double-majoring in biotechnology and biological sciences. My dream is to become a cardiologist.
I have worked hard and excelled at my studies, as well as in my friendships and sports. However, my brothers have not. My older brother, "Aaron," barely graduated from community college and my younger brother, "Greg," dropped out after his first semester.
I know it's not healthy for me to think this way, but I am afraid I am going to be the one who has to support them. Aaron plays video games all day, while Greg does nothing. I'm afraid I'll be stuck playing "Mommy" for my adult brothers for the rest of my days.
How do I get across to them that they're not children anymore and they need to take their education seriously? -- NOBODY'S MOMMY IN MARYLAND
DEAR NOBODY'S MOMMY: Where are your brothers living now? With your parents? If that's the case -- and I suspect it is -- that message should come from them. That your parents would allow Aaron to sit around all day playing video games rather than become independent means they are his enablers.
There is truth to the saying, "The Lord helps those who help themselves." Warn the boys that unless they start preparing for their future, they could wind up living in the street, because when your parents go, you have no intention of supporting them financially. That responsibility is not and should not be yours.
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
Her job is going to take her away from where she is, or at least has that potential.
I think the worry is over nothing.
Learn to say no.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
Or (hopefully) he will start to see how sibling is able to do more stuff with their life now that they have a steady job/income, they will get motivated and finally figure out what they want to be doing with their life.
