Hello, Nao Mih,
Is it a good thing for my parents to keep on asking for money from me? I don’t have a problem sending them some help frequently, but the problem is that any time they call nowadays is to ask for money. This is really interfering with my financial goals, which they seem to not care about. What should I do?
Hello dear,
It is not a good thing for your parents to form the habit of asking for money from you. I mean, they shouldn’t put you in a state where you feel manipulated or taken advantage of.
It is true that most of us are who we are because of them. They made so many sacrifices for us. That’s something we always appreciate and a fact that makes it hard to deny them whatever help they may ask for.
Giving money to your parents should happen only when you’ve budgeted for it and have had all your needs met and your personal goals rolling in.
Sacrificing your goals to appease your parents may do you more harm than good. You need the money more than they do because you want to buy some land, build a house, or raise a family.
However, if you have money available in an emergency fund that you can easily replenish, you may consider extending a helping hand. Consider allocating some money in your emergency fund for your parents so that it doesn’t inconvenience your own development goals.
However, keep in mind that the fact that your parents raised and educated you doesn’t make you responsible for their needs, so your money is yours to help you raise your family and live a fulfilling life to adulthood just like they did.
Naomi Makassi, a Rongo University graduate from Kitale, Trans Nzoia County, is passionate about helping young adults build successful relationships through her writing.
