Declining Financial Requests Without Guilt
I’m on maternity leave with a 4-month-old and already juggling the needs of my four kids. Despite this, relatives and friends keep asking for financial help—school fees, food, business loans, and more. I’ve helped many times before, like lending my brother money for a business two years ago, but he hasn’t paid me back yet.
Recently, my aunt asked for help with her business, and my nephew requested assistance for my sick half-brother. While I feel obligated to help my aunt because she supported my mom when we were kids, and my half-brother is ill, I’m struggling financially myself.
The last time I told my brother I had no money to spare, he called me disrespectful. I’ve even lost a childhood friend who thinks I’m proud and refuse to help. How do I politely decline these requests without feeling guilty or explaining my financial situation? Do I owe them a detailed explanation?
#FinancialBoundaries #SayingNo #FamilyFinance #MaternityLeave #BoundariesMatter #RomanticRelationships