Struggling with Money Stress: Need Advice on Supporting My Dad
Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. Sometimes my dad asks to borrow money from me. He has a stable job but faces financial pressures occasionally. I run a small home business, so my earnings aren't as high as his, and the amounts he needs for things like bills or fuel aren't small. I'm happy to help when I can, but there are times when I just can't, whether it's due to savings, business costs, or other responsibilities. This often leaves me feeling guilty and overwhelmed, worrying about whether I'm failing in my duties as a daughter. Once, it got so stressful that I ended up in tears. I don't share this with my dad because we aren't extremely close, and I don't want to add to his worries. My mom mentioned he deals with anxiety, so he might borrow ahead for future needs, which adds to my internal struggle. He sometimes reminds us that parents have rights over what their children have, making me feel even more obligated. While I deeply appreciate all he's done for us and want to support him, I also have my own financial goals to manage. I love my dad and don't want him to stress, but I'm afraid this could lead to feelings of strain. Recently, he asked for another loan while still owing from last month, and though I felt bad about it-astaghfirullah-I could only offer part of what he needed. Is it wrong of me to set these limits? Sometimes I feel responsible for his well-being and finances, especially since he relies on me a lot, even with my mom contributing too. Any advice on how to handle this?