How to tell parents to stop bothering me...in a respectful way?

Question

I have worked for my parents for going on 8 years. I worked there part-time through high school and on in to college. I received my bachelors degree last year and couldn't find a job that had the flexibility and pay like I had working there so I stayed. I finally found a great job. I am working as a temp until Jan. 1 and then I will start my m-f day job with great pay and great benefits. The only problem...its right next door to my parents business. I am trying to show my mom how to do all of my jobs of which I have many. I am pretty much the assistant mgr./inventory control/secretary/computer troubleshooting/their ***** and I do all that for a whopping $11.00hr. I am an only child and an heir to the business and that is what they pay me. My husband thinks they are greedy and wants them to leave me alone. When I work next door she continues to call or come over there begging for help which is embarrassing. My boss knows em so it flies. I want my own life and my own job. My dad is sick but he has cirrohsis so its his own fault. I don't want to be mean but they have used me long enough. What would you do??

Answer 1

just say i need some space but say it in a friendly way

Answer 2

Just tell them i want to have my own space and i want to be alone.

Answer 3

firstly congrats on getting ur bachelors degree! :)

you sound like a really hard worker.

'Hey mum, dad, the years that i have worked with you i have really enjoyed and learnt alot from. as you know, at the same time i have been working very hard to accomplish my goals and get the good qualification, that makes me happy. now i would like to dedicate my life to what i have worked for. i want to support you mum and dad, but i need you to also understand that i cant keep running out to help you in the middle of work and other daily rituals. i have a husband, a good degree and happy with my life now, and am beyond doing what i was doing for eight years while studying. at some point in time, i am going to be too busy to help you and you are going to have to have to find someone else.'

I hope that helps a little bit. you know you could also just try being honest with them, it may not take as much talking as what i just did. you can do it my suggested approach, or you could just say it how it is there and then. there is no problem telling someone how you feel, as long as you arent abrupt with them, and throw the blame on them. just base it on what you 'want', not what they are 'doing'

Answer 4

you have to be firm with your mom and let her know that you don't work there any more and she needs to manage on her own.

If you want the business after they retire or die then you may have to suck it up and help.

but if they are only using the lure of "your inheritence"  as a way to keep you on the hook then you may need to suggest that since your dad is in bad health and your mom can't manage the business alone that they may want to consider selling the business.