When to tell people to back off!?

United States
August 27, 2009 3:30pm CST
Ok loaded question here for anyone and everyone who wants to take the time to read this. When do people cross the line between helping someone out and taking over lives? I mean when someone is helping you with life i.e. bills, money for spending, clothes for kids, etc. And it's just being nice because they have the money and you don't. But then they start taking over your life? Telling your kids how to act, telling you to take better care of your house, letting the kids do stuff you object too etc. How do you politely tell them that some of this stuff is none of their business? I mean we appreciate all the help but it is so stressful trying to live up to someone elses image of what a family, wife or kids are supposed to be like? DO you have friends or family like this? If you do how do you deal?
3 people like this
11 responses
@marctiu (829)
• Philippines
28 Aug 09
when people cross the line or just even step inside the privacy of a person, there's a great chance of anger to rupture. anger management is the best solution to control feelings and emotions. It's hard to deal people with a personality that always show off his abilities to others even he's just being annoying. If I were to deal with this I would tell them directly that they're so annoying and please back off cause you have cross the line for which you are making a lot of disturbances.
@sid556 (30959)
• United States
28 Aug 09
I try to take as little help from anyone and for that reason. Kind of like when I was a teen and living at home. Living under mom & dad's roof, I had to abide by their rules or else. The more you allow someone to pay your way financially it seems that the more control they have over you. You can tell them to back off anytime and you may be without their help. Nothing is really "free" in this life.
• Philippines
28 Aug 09
well so far I did not encounter that kind of situation. but if that ever happen to me maybe I will tell her the truth that I dont want her to control my family or kids, not to tel me what to do inside the house.in my opinion
• United States
28 Aug 09
How to deal with them and tell them to back off? Well I come a long way and I will give you my thought of this. I am single and still living with parents because I cannot find a job here in my town and still searching. My parents can be controlling and help me out with everything, and i rarely ask too much for anything. It Hard. My family now they are something else, expect me to be the way they want me. My family want me to babysit and be close to them but that not going to happen. It always about money to my family, I got in an argument although i did not want to but they went so far off the line saying i am this and that. and they dont really know me at all. I know as long as you live under someone roof you still got to play by their rules because it only fair that they helping you out. You have to remember it only temporary and that you will pick up on your feet and move on once you have the job to be stable on your own. You have to keep trying and dont give up. My parent expect me to dress up to impress but they are trying to help me make it through this world it not easy and I understand it clearly. You can't win over rich people until you proven you can make money and save it and make a living of your own. I know this sucks. I will pray for you and me to hang in there. Just remember you not the only one that goes through this. Alot of people will listen to it and let it out the other ear. Well now you know my opinion.
• Indonesia
28 Aug 09
Yes, i have. She bought things for my child, but she's not evil. But if that's the case for you, you must do something, can not by words i think. You don't know what others think if you say what is in your heart straightly. Just show them by your attitude. For example, go to another place when she want to come. If she asked why you're not home, just tell her you've forgotten she wanted to come. Do it over and over, but don't use harshness.
• Philippines
28 Aug 09
Yes, I have a neighbor who happened to pay our water bills without our knowledge. It was good because he helped us anyway. But he had taken advantage by not asking us permission to use our right of way of making it as an extension of his hardware. Also as if he owns me already to the price of 650 pesos(php). My neighbor is friendly if they need something from me for their own interest. He has extended his hardware without furthering noticing or reminding us.
@mrbranan (1012)
• United States
27 Aug 09
When I first became a mother my mother wanted to control everything. I know she was only trying to help but it was my life. Finally I sat down with her and told her I loved her and was thankful for all her help but explained that I was the mother and felt like I should be deciding what would happen and what wouldn't. I love her and she loves me and understood. We still get along great and if I need advice I can still call her. She understands it is up to me weather I take the advice or not.
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
27 Aug 09
My in-laws were like this after I had kids and I probably could have handled it better. But my mother-in-law is better about respecting boundaries than she used to be. Although she has said things behind my back about one of the other daughters-in-law and how she feels much more comfortable at her house because she cando whatever she wants.
@lynnemg (4529)
• United States
28 Aug 09
Thankfully, all of the people I know like this are no longer a part of my life. I think that the line is crossed when the person or people make you uncomfortable about the entire situation. I can imagine that you feel as if the person in question is using the help that is given as a way to control your life, and that is crossing the line. As much as I know it would be a very difficult thing to do, especially when the help is needed, it is important that you are honest and tell this person how you feel. Unfortunately, some people like this get highly upset when their behavior is pointed out in a negative fashion, and if this happens, the person will likely either demand that you do things a certain way or the help will stop, ir just stop helping all together. You could be very fortunate and this person may not even realize that what they are doing is bothering you and may just stop the "advice"(as they wqould see it) and actually be grateful that you were honest. Unfortunately, you won't know until you speak up. My husband's mother used to try to tell us what to do with the kids and how we should handle things in our home. She never helped us monetarily though, so it was much easier for us. My husband had his fill one day and told her straight out that we all love her, but it is our home, our family, and they are our kids, she needed to stop. She did, to a point, but still had her fair share of opinions. We really had to learn how to just tune her out, ask her to leave, or leave ourselves (if we were at her house). Sounds a bit harsh, but we had to do what we had to do.
@psycospaz (320)
• United States
27 Aug 09
I had a friend like that, I moved and lost her address, but she drove me up a wall! Every little aspect of my life was slowly becoming hers. I mean everything from what groceries I bought to how to cook my mothers recipe for biscuits! I told her on more than one occasion that 'thank you, but I got this' or something similar, however it didn't help. Finally it took me not talking to her for about a week to get it through her head that I am perfectly capable of running my own life. I did appreciate the help, and I knew I could trust her with some my more delicate personal matters, but she wanted to run everything. And no she is not the reason I moved. LOL I just wish that some people could step back and look at what they are doing to others. Life would be a lot more smiley that way!
@psycospaz (320)
• United States
27 Aug 09
I had a friend like that, I moved and lost her address, but she drove me up a wall! Every little aspect of my life was slowly becoming hers. I mean everything from what groceries I bought to how to cook my mothers recipe for biscuits! I told her on more than one occasion that 'thank you, but I got this' or something similar, however it didn't help. Finally it took me not talking to her for about a week to get it through her head that I am perfectly capable of running my own life. I did appreciate the help, and I knew I could trust her with some my more delicate personal matters, but she wanted to run everything. And no she is not the reason I moved. LOL I just wish that some people could step back and look at what they are doing to others. Life would be a lot more smiley that way!