When you have a family member who is acting out and potentially getting into trouble with the law, you need to decide whether you are going to stick by them or go your separate ways for a while. If you choose the former, you need to be prepared to help them in some ways that you had never considered before. Let’s take a look at how you can help.
Ask Them What They Need
The first thing that you should always do is ask your family member what you can do to support them. Some might not appreciate you trying to help, viewing it as you meddling instead, while others might be very grateful to know that you are willing to help them out. They might already have a clear idea of what they need from you in terms of support to get them out of this mess. It could be as simple as letting them come over for a good home-cooked meal a few times a week.
Try to avoid giving them financial support if you can, unless you are able to do so without giving them money. This is especially important if they have a history of poor financial decisions. For example, you could offer to set them up with a phone, but pay their contract directly rather than giving them the money to do so.
Be Prepared for a Worst-Case Scenario
It can be difficult to support a loved one if they have been through tough legal battles, but it can also be a challenge to look after them while they are ongoing. You might have to answer some calls that you don’t want to take, and might have to be prepared to leap into action at a moment’s notice.
For example, it can be a good idea to make contact with a company like E Parker Bail Bonds if you are concerned that your loved one could be arrested at any point. This valuable expertise means that you will hopefully be able to sort out bail and get them back on the streets as soon as possible.
Prepare for a Lot of Back and Forth
It is rare that someone will be able to set themselves on the right path and then continue on it until they are healed. There is likely to be a lot of back and forth. There could be times when your loved one does not want to have anything to do with you, and instead wants to get into trouble with the law and push themselves further down a dark road.
What you need to do in this scenario is make sure that you are still supportive of them. Let them know that they are loved, and that there is a home for them to return to if they want it. This might come with some tough love, such as conditions they must stick to if they do come back to you. With a little luck, it will hopefully be enough to show them that there is a chance for them if they want to try again.
It can be very difficult to watch your loved one go through tough times, especially when they are family. By being as gentle and as non-judgemental as possible, you will hopefully be able to guide them through whatever they are going through. It could be something that brings you even closer together, and something that they will always be thankful to you for. Be prepared for this to be a challenging road, and it shall hopefully have a good, if cathartic, conclusion for you.
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