Why do I feel so resentful?

My grandparents are gifting money away to all of their grandchildren this year. The reason being is for tax purposes. Each grand children will receive 26,000. Each grandchild’s spouse will receive 26,000. And each grandchild’s child will receive 26,000. I am not married and do not have any kids. I am the second youngest (25) of all of the grandkids and I have 130K in school loans. I have sister who is married with a kid, owns a house, and her and her husband make good money. I will only be receiving 26K while my sister’s household will be receiving 78K. Essentially she will be receiving 52K more than me each year just because she is married with a kid . . . . Ahh! I feel incredibly resentful about this and whenever I try to voice my opinion I get treated as though I am a spoiled brat.

Now do not get me wrong. I am incredibly grateful for anything anyone ever gives me and I do not feel entitled to any money at all. I could sure use the money, and I am thankful to be receiving anything at all. But at the same token I feel as though they are setting up my sister and her family for life and leaving me out to dry. I just do not see how that is fair. I at least think they should figure out some way to remedy the situation and make it a bit more fair for me.

What I want to know is am I acting like a brat for feeling this way? I just need to hear what people have to say about this. I just can’t help but feel incredibly resentful . . . I almost just need a break from them for a while. It is hard for me to be in the same room. What do you all think?

Answer #1

This is a toughie, if what you said about getting the gift every year is true. It will come up again and again. One thing to keep in mind about resentments is that only the person doing the resenting suffers…and it’s painful! Keep in mind also, that your sister didn’t dream up this plan, your grandparents did.

You aren’t being a spoiled brait…it would make a lot more sense dividing the money into two equal shares, 1/2 for each of their grandaughters, since your sister’s family will benefit from the gift, anyway. However no sense on that, since that’s not the way your grandparents have divided it up. Have you talked to them? Their plans for after they die, may be totally different than this gifting they are doing now.

The only tool I know of to get past a resentment, is to CONCIOUSLY wish your sister and family well (you don’t have to say it to them, just use your concious thought), every time you feel that resentment comes up. Using your mind to change how you feel really does work. Kinda like using your body, and your mind will soon follow.

You’re not being a spoiled brat…looking at something and recognizing the inequity in it, would cause anyone to be resentful. Feelings are just feelings…Resentment is a painful one, so is a heightened one. Accept that you can’t change any of this, and just look at YOUR gift, and let what your sister is getting go.

Wish I had more to offer you…I can feel myself getting pissed off for you :)

grannie phrannie

Answer #2

I don’t have anything to add to phrannie’s advice, which I think is as good as you’re likely to get, but I wanted to add my voice to her ‘’I can feel myself getting pissed off for you.’’ The fact that those who, for whatever reason, decide to procreate get special treatment never ceases to fill me with burning resentment. You remember that Sex and the City episode where Carrie gets sick of no one throwing parties for people who choose to remain unmarried and un-babied? Kind of like that.

Answer #3

Wow how much money do your grandparents have?! Lol, but yeah I totally get where you are coming from. It is not fair, But I can see why they are giving it out this way. Supposedly a child costs more to support, and since shes married with a kid and you are not, shes getting more.

To be honest, in situations like these I think the grandparents should make it flat out even. This always causes fights and resentment.

You can’t really do anything without upsetting people and getting called a selfish brat. I guess getting 26K is better than nothing so just try and view this as a good thing and ignore how much money everyone else gets.

Its not fair, but this is whats happened and you can’t change it. Don’t cause a big thing about it, You will pay off your loans you just have to give it time and 26K is going to make it easier.

Answer #4

That does sound ridiculous. Theres no reason to give that to great grandchildren. They should have kept it at grandchildren and gave more for who actually needed it. You arent being spoiled. That just sounds stupid.

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