The writer describes many seemingly ordinary yet relentlessly draining daily routines: waiting for the other person to come home, checking if they've been drinking, comforting the children, canceling plans, and choosing to believe the promises once again.
The strongest emotion isn't anger, but persistent exhaustion. She worries whether things would worsen if she stopped intervening; yet continuing to bear the burden gradually erodes her sleep, work, and emotional wellbeing.
This experience serves as a reminder for families: prioritizing your own safety, rest, and support networks in your plan isn't abandoning the patient—it's preserving the strength needed to keep going when facing long-term challenges.
Start with the Family Support Center
Family members need support too; caregiving doesn't mean shouldering all consequences alone.