My mother and the termites...so stressful!

My mother has termites in her little coal camp house. I arranged for a termite inspection, the fella having to drive an hour from Charleston today, and I met him there. He did the inspection, and gave her the estimate for treatment to the tune of $1380. I could see that she was perplexed, and after he left, she didn't want to pay for that, though she has plenty of money for such things. I then had to take her on her shopping excursions, which meant two dollar stores and the grocery store where she walked around for hours. When we got back to her house, she said she was going to hire girl who helps her to spray insecticide under the house. I was stressed! holding my head in my hands. I finally said..."Mom, you don't have to do anything." thinkng to myself, just let the house fall in from termite infestation.
Sorry...I'm just ranting here...no one else to talk to about this!
Patty

I'm there with you.. subsitute "Mom" for "son" and well I'm there..

this is a just cause question

"Why is it that when people really can afford to have things taken care of, they don't" I say that from vast amounts of experience dealing with my best friend and her hubby... and listening to the crazy schemes they both come up with to not deal.. when they could very easly deal.. they have plenty of money...

Yes, she has the money to pay for this, but I think I'll wash my hands of it...I had to drive two hours to get to her house. I've used these termite people myself, and think they are honest. She thought they were there to rip her off! These same termite people rebuilt my floors in my kitchen and dining room, and came highly recommended. I told her she could get other estimates, but I am reluctant to drive the two hours for more estimates.
Patty

One thought here for you....if your mom grew up during the depression, she probably has a hard time considering spending the money, even if she can well afford it. My aunt was the same way with her home. She let things go because she figured she was getting older and she could leave it to the next person and the fact that she was afraid to spend the money she had....it all came from the age of having nothing and saving everything.

I hope you can get her to reconsider....

Good luck!
Hugsss
J

i'm sorry, Patty, i giggled when i saw your heading............xoxoxo pat

Patty,

I can truely relate to your frustrations......why in the world don't they just take care of the problem when they find a good business that has come highly recommended....especially by you, her own daughter.

I do agree with sabau2, I know that people who have lived through the depression have a tendency to want to hold onto their money & not let go of it easily.....especially for things they think aren't that important. Unfortunately, as they get older, their concepts of important have the tendency to get off track from reality......thus the frustrations with parents when we start changing roles & giving them advise & suggestions of what needs to be done.

There are times when under it all, they resent that change in life even though they don't realize that is what is the problem & that goes into some of their poor decision making also.

I wouldn't be willing to drive that far just to hear her complain about estimates either.....hopefully you will be able to get through to her nicely that it is really important & that price isn't that far out of line with.....maybe one more estimate will help get through to her what the reality of the situation is

Debbie

Mom's going to have the treatments done! My aunt and my sis both talked to her and she talked to the contractor today and arranged for the treatments tomorrow....Whew! I have to go over there, just to be there, and to write the payment check, but this is a good development!
Patty

YAY!!!!

Glad you have people to back you up on this - looks like it worked!

Tranquility

thanks, Tranquility and Sabau...
It is good to have other voices of reason when dealing with my mother, and I'm grateful to my sis and aunt!
Patty