neveragain2493 Posted August 10, 2010 Posted August 10, 2010 I have been friends with this guy since the 7th grade, and he recently turned eighteen. He has hurt me in the past, but I love him as a friend, and we get along well today. However, he is having a lot of family problems at home that I know are all true... - His parents are getting divorced - His dad doesn't work and constantly argues with him - His mom is miserable - His brother is mentally disabled and has TB - His grandmother is dying from Alzheimer's My friend has to take care of both his sick relatives. He tells me his parents stopped loving him, so he stopped coming home and answering their calls. He told me he just wants attention and for someone to love him. He recently went out to celebrate his birthday, and someone broke into his truck and stole his iPod, money, football equipment, backpacks, etc. I keep telling him to be strong, but I can see he can't. I have been through some of these issues, but I just don't know what to say or how to help.
EHS Posted August 10, 2010 Posted August 10, 2010 I have been friends with this guy since the 7th grade, and he recently turned eighteen. He has hurt me in the past, but I love him as a friend, and we get along well today. However, he is having a lot of family problems at home that I know are all true... - His parents are getting divorced - His dad doesn't work and constantly argues with him - His mom is miserable - His brother is mentally disabled and has TB - His grandmother is dying from Alzheimer's My friend has to take care of both his sick relatives. He tells me his parents stopped loving him, so he stopped coming home and answering their calls. He told me he just wants attention and for someone to love him. He recently went out to celebrate his birthday, and someone broke into his truck and stole his iPod, money, football equipment, backpacks, etc. I keep telling him to be strong, but I can see he can't. I have been through some of these issues, but I just don't know what to say or how to help. Just pledging to be there for him is the best way you can help. Let him know very clearly that you love him and support him, and show him through your actions. Be consistent, and be tough, and this will help him in manifold ways.
jamcherries Posted August 11, 2010 Posted August 11, 2010 An idea: he shouldn't be having to look after his brother and grandmother, that's his parents' role. It sounds like he needs some space from all these demands and unlucky events, so you could help him in asserting himself against his parents. Perhaps he's scared of the response; you should talk to him about it. If he then has some time to himself, you can suggest a trip with him somewhere, to visit another city you both want to see etc. Help get him out of his immediate environment of demands.
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