Teen Demands Mom Get Out Of Bed And Stop Mourning After Family Tragedy

Grief has a way of reshaping families in unexpected ways. When a parent withdraws after losing a loved one, children can suddenly find themselves taking on responsibilities far beyond their years.

In this story, a 14-year-old and their older sibling have been caring for their mother almost entirely, while also managing school and helping support the household. Their frustration reached a peak during a conversation with their sister about their mother’s continued isolation.

The teen took to Reddit to ask if their expectations were unfair and to see if others understood the difficult position they’re in. Keep reading to find out how the internet responded.

Two teenage sisters struggle to care for their grieving mother, while questioning her love

When love turns into pain, those left behind often carry heavy, invisible burdens. Nearly everyone who has lost someone understands how the world can feel like it should stop and yet life keeps moving forward.

In this family’s story, what may look like defiance or apathy on the surface is actually a profound struggle with loss, responsibility, and the deep human need for connection.

In this situation, the teenager wasn’t just upset about chores or rules. They were reacting to a deeper emotional reality: their mother’s prolonged withdrawal after losing an adult child and sibling.

While the siblings are trying to maintain routines, bringing meals, managing school, and supporting one another, their mother has remained in bed for over a year, speaking only minimally. What might appear to some as “laziness” is often a hallmark of unresolved grief when pain has overtaken one’s ability to engage with life.

The older child’s frustration and question about love weren’t just about affection; they reflected fear, abandonment, and the desire for emotional safety that seemed to be missing in their home environment.

From a psychological perspective, grief doesn’t follow a neat timeline, and its expression can vary dramatically across individuals. When someone loses a loved one, especially a child, even the expected process of adjustment can stall.

The Mayo Clinic describes “complicated grief” as grief that persists intensely for more than 12 months and disrupts daily functioning rather than easing with time.

Verywell Mind highlights that grief can be “delayed” and resurface later as emotional pain, numbness, or withdrawal, particularly when coping mechanisms are overwhelmed.

These patterns help explain why the mother might still be emotionally “stuck,” not because she doesn’t care, but because her grief has become deeply entangled with her sense of purpose and daily life.

An expert on grief and bereavement would remind us that grief isn’t one-size-fits-all.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, complicated or prolonged grief often interferes with everyday life, thinking, and relationships well beyond what’s typically expected, and treatment, especially therapy, can support the bereaved person in starting to re-engage with their world.

In this case, the mother’s withdrawal may stem from an emotion so heavy that it clouds her ability to function, not from a lack of love for her living children.

Understanding that doesn’t mean the children’s frustrations aren’t real or valid. It means that the family is grieving together, but in very different ways.

Encouraging professional support for the mother, whether through counseling, grief support groups, or even family therapy, could open a path toward healing.

It might not quickly “fix” the situation, but it invites a space where sorrow and love can coexist without one overshadowing the other. Life after loss is possible, but sometimes people need help finding their footing again.

Here’s what the community had to contribute:

These commenters agreed that OP’s mother’s neglect is unacceptable, and their siblings deserve proper care

These Reddit users acknowledged that OP’s mother is struggling with grief or depression and isn’t fully responsible for her inaction, but professional help is needed

This family’s story is a raw glimpse into grief’s ripple effects. While the mother’s pain is real, the children’s voices and well-being can’t be sidelined indefinitely. Should minors bear the weight of adult responsibilities when a parent collapses under sorrow?

Could professional help and temporary relocation ease the burden on these teens? Are readers invited to weigh in: How would you navigate the line between empathy for a grieving parent and protecting children from neglect? Share your hot takes below!