scottjk -> RE: Advice on a first 24/7 visit... (11/14/2007 8:43:44 AM)
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Merc? This looks more like a rescue mission. I agree and applaud your motivations. However, I'm getting an uneasy feeling now. Perhaps a more sensible approach? Keep the lifestyle and the crisis management separate. She's in crisis mode, and you're in a position to be generous. That's a good thing. You could provide limited guidence until she manages to establish herself. But, having had several experiences with relationships with women already in crisis mode, I had a hard time with it. Personally, I can't do it anymore, it just never stops. What's worse, if she moves in, and you develop the relationship more during the crisis, you may find yourself in a position where it is almost impossible to throw your hands up and toss her out. The crisis may never stop or a new one will appear suddenly once the first one is over. If it was me, and I know every situation is different, I'd agree to the house keeping, but no lifestyle commitment until she finds a place of her own, and is able to get herself established. If she can do that, and do it for a year after the crisis is over, then I'd think you've got something. Something is screaming trouble in my head the more I hear. Granted, I'm a skeptic, even a pessimist, but follow my line of thinking. She offered house keeping for room and board, and then hints at sweetening the pot with 7/24 services? I'd go for the first, if that's all she offered, with some reservations, but... adding the second part? I'm with you on this, this is a sweet deal, but for who? Can you afford it emotionally, financially and possibly legally if you make a bad call on this, Merc? If you can, go for it, otherwise... No harm in showing compassion, with a firm grip on the handle bars to ensure things turn out the way you want it too, but you're headed for a bad case of road rash if you get emotionally involved during a crisis. I hope I'm wrong. I'd like to be wrong. I want to be wrong. I don't have enough info, I know. This could play out in so many ways other than what you might hope for. Sorry Merc, I have to be honest, I've seen this play out in a predictable way, both to myself and to a few others. If you're comfortable betting on your sense of judgement of a person's character, then go with your gut. Just remember, watch the eyes when they answer questions. If they go to the left, they're using thier creative side of thier brain to tell you a lie, if they go to the right, critical thinking and memory, they're probably telling the truth. Either way, make sure you have a way to at least minimize the damage, if not protect yourself.
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