So my mom might be going to jail......

From being able to control the urge to embezzle. I don't know. I just don't know what to think. We are all shocked and none of us know what to do.

Sounds like an addiction...

Sorry this is happening. It's tough to grow up and learn things like that about your parents, shakes up your perception of everything. I hope everything works out for you all.

Wow, so sorry that your going through this I have a cousin goning threw they same thing but add two kids under 3. I dont understand what goes on in her head either

Sorry to hear about it. Has she said anything to you about it before? I'm wondering w/ Analy about whether it's something along the lines of a shoplifting addiction or that sort of thing.

Yeah, I don't know. My mom has always been a strong, honest woman, so it is difficult to think that she would steal. If she goes to jail, they will definitely lose the house they just saved from foreclosure, and my stepdad will have to stop his business because he can't keep it running without my mom's help financially, which means he will have to find other employment and the only thing he is qualified for is manufacturing or outdoor work and his blood pressure won't allow him to do either (it gets to stroke level WITH medication, plus he's had 2 heart attacks). So I don't know what's going to happen.

I'm so sorry you're going through this. I do think she might have something going on in her head. It's hard to go through these things with parents. I've had to deal with many big issues with my dad. And I know how difficult things can be. I've realized I can't "save" my dad anymore. He has to hit rock bottom before he'll realize anything is wrong. And I don't think he ever will. Stay strong.

Aww *hugs* I know you're probably really upset right now. I hope it all works out for you AND your mother, hopefully this puts an end to the trouble?

@Sarah, FS mentioned that maybe she needs counseling, but she doesn't have health insurance. The only one of her medicines she can get is her Xanax (she is mildly bipolar) because her doctor will call in her prescription without her having to make an appointment, but she hasn't been able to get the medicine for her herniated discs in her back or her fibromyalgia medicine for over a year because she can't afford them and can't afford a doctor's visit.

I agree, it sounds like she's really struggling with something. Maybe it could be an addiction? Getting caught twice, is tough. Maybe it would help to look at it a blessing of sorts? Maybe this will be what helps her change? Just remember, no matter how bad things get, they will get better! Hang in there babe!

Yikes. It sounds to me like her bipolar disorder might be getting worse--without someone to see her, how would anyone know? I realize she probably can't afford legal representation, either, but can she or your dad consult with the public defender about pushing for court-ordered medical treatment, maybe? I'm not sure how it works, but it seems possible that if the court orders it, they also pay for it.

That is awful. I don't have much advice to offer, but I just want you to know I'm sorry you are going through this! Just stay strong...

@Cabell, yeah she had the public defender last time and saw her for all of 5 minutes the entire court process. Which is why my mother was charged with every shortage the store had (even if there was no proof she stole the stuff) and didn't have adequate representation because the PD didn't do anything. I hadn't even thought that maybe her bipolar disorder was getting worse. I have noticed that even when she takes her medicine she still has her anger spells. I'll talk to my parents to see if they can do the court-ordered medical treatment.

I am so sorry you are going through this. I have had issues with my mom too, and it's really hard sometimes. My advice to you is to be strong. And I hope she gets some help soon. Hugs!!!

@Sarah, yeah I've heard about that, but we thought to try it.

@Cabell, this instance is in a different county the the first, so hopefully she will have a better PD.

The financial problems may be worse than you think and causing her to do this. Some people don't handle stress (financial) too well.

I listen to Dave Ramsey and a lady called in once: her BFF had just committed sucide due to debt. She was handling finances by herself and hadn't told her husbanb, family, or friends how bad it had gotten. She kept everything together as long as she could without her husband and kids knowing anything. Then the house was foreclosed. She left a sucide note with details on how to pay the bills. The man didn't find out that they have been behind for over a year and the house was gone until she was gone, too.

@MrsJoseph, my parents have always struggled financially. Always. We have never really lived "comfortably." My mom has always been in control of the finances because my stepdad doesn't know how to handle money. But I can see where it could have gotten to be too much for her.

Goodness. How close are you with your stepdad? He just might have to take control of all the finances. And there are programs out there for assisting with costs of pills. Until I was on my DS's insurance, I was covered by Wyeth's drug program. My anti-depressants are $170/month without insurance. Quite pricey. Once I got enrolled in the program they sent me 90 days supplies FREE!

Who knows what's going on in your mom's head. If she's having some mental problems, plus financial problems, it can all really add up. PDs, for the most part, don't necessarily do their jobs.

I'm close with my stepdad but not really by choice. He typically only thinks about himself. Like today when I was on the phone with him about my mom, he wouldn't stop talking about how we might as well just shut down HIS business since they can't afford it now and that they will lose the house (which HE wanted to save from foreclosure, my mom could have cared less -- by saving it from foreclosure their expenses doubled because they were renting an apartment at the time and the rent was half of what the mortgage is) and yesterday he was saying how he didn't know if he could take anymore. This from the same person who used to steal my mother's pain medicine (another reason why my mom doesn't get them filled). I'm going to look into contacting the companies that make my mother's medicine.

But there is no way he could take control of the finances. He can't even balance a check book and has no concept of how to ration it out. My mom has always been the one to do that.

I almost hope that some form of action is taken against her- enough so that she can get some enforced help. Sounds as though she may have some major issues. Regardless, stealing is NEVER ok, and your Mom needs a wakeup call. I am so sorry you are dealing with this.