Find a Balance
Find a balance for yourself. I am not saying parents should ignore their children or vice versa, just the opposite. When you give up your life no matter what the reason, if it’s for family, (which to me is important) a job, or whatever, you’re not doing things for yourself, and resentment may set in. This affects everything in life, including how you feel about yourself or interact with others.
When you start to resent others for stopping you from living your best life you can no longer be nice, you can no longer be your best self. Stop, it isn’t the others stopping you it is you doing that. You may be blocking yourself. You feeling an obligation to others all the time because you feel it is your responsibility is admirable, I’m not telling you to ignore it just question it.
If you don’t and when the resentment sets in it will build, which could cause you to act out in a way that will hurt others in your life who do not deserve to be treated like that. It will ultimately hurt you, your family, friends or co-workers, and every aspect of your life.
Take some time to enjoy a hobby or an activity that fulfills you, you will be surprised when you return to your family, or job to which you felt obligated, it will no longer feel like an “obligation”, and you will be able to find the happiness on that side of your life as well. You will approach it with a renewed view of the life you choose. By being happier you can give more.
Take that slice of chocolate cake you have wanted and been ignoring because, if you don’t take that slice you will ultimately eat the whole cake, and no one wants to eat the entire cake, at least I don’t think so, but hey I could be wrong… but that’s a whole nother subject, for another time.