Puff the Magic Dragon

Hi Scott

Interesting article you wrote on National Fraud Week. Your article hit home. I have two brothers: one living at home (aged 42) and the other (aged 50) living just around the corner. Both smoke the ‘magic dragon’ on a daily basis. Being from an Italian background, my mother will not kick out the one who’s living at home. Both are constantly asking for money, which she hands over, feeling sorry for them. Mum is on the age pension and has $70k in a savings account. What do I do?

Tina

Hi Tina,

It sounds like your mother is a wonderfully kind person.But this situation is totally her fault. She’s the one who’s enabled this behaviour with your brothers.And as a result they’re basically little boys living in grown men’s bodies. It’s all very … sad.I wouldn’t expect the ‘boys’ to have the ability to change -- we’re a few decades late for that. The only way anything will change is if you can convince your loving, caring mother that she’s actually causing her sons harm by enabling this behaviour. She’s not helping them, she’s hurting them (and herself). That’s the truth.Good luck.

Scott