Anonymous asks:
My parents are lovely people but I feel people take advantage of their good nature all the time. My mum in particular has a friend who just take, take, takes and never gives anything back. She is like her therapist- she spends hours at her house listening to her woes. While she does have troubles, my mum gets nothing out of the relationship whatsoever. She does her shopping for her and takes her out in the car all the time. I have told her this woman is a user and she agrees but she won't distance herself from her. Any advice?
Relationship expert Jessica Leoni says: “My gut instinct here is: stay out of it, it is none of your business. Your parents sound like they have got along very well without your interference and if your mum wants to indulge a friend who is a bit of a leach then that is her look out.
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“Sorry if I sound harsh - and I know that you love your parents and just want the best for them - but some battles are just not worth having. I have no doubt that this friend of your mum is taking the mickey, but I am sure your mum is well aware of this and yet still gets some satisfaction out of helping her pal, even if she gets very little in return.
“I suspect that your parents are elderly and giving something back and being a rock to a friend who is maybe a little selfish makes your mum feel good. She is probably not as busy as she was and likes to devote her time to helping others.
“Try to be a little less controlling and just enjoy the company of your parents while resisting the urge to tell them how to live their lives. If this friend is not exploiting them financially - and the only drain is their time - then I would let them get on with it and just accept that your mum is a little more patient and giving of her time than you.”
Jessica is a relationship expert for the dating site IllicitEncounters.com
tagged in Jessica Leoni
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