Energy vampires that you still love in your family

[TopazQuartz]

I'd love to hear other's stories of family members that they may have who are energy vampires, but are actually very needy and the situation is complex, so walking away is not wanted, rather other ways to cope.

Like most people who are very empathic, I tend to get caught up.

While the simplest response to this is to say just walk away, it's not always possible. It's also not always the answer, sometimes a person is being an energy vampire partly because others in their network don't care and so they excessively lean on the one that does. Not always true, but sometimes.

How do other's cope?

By thinking about what I can give time wise, thinking about where I can put systems or resources in place that work when I'm not there.

My oldest stepson (aged 14). He is so negative and will look for flaws and negatives in everything anyone says or does. He has beeb this way ever since Ive known him (5years). It is so so draining to be around and it does sap your energy. He struggles to maintain friendships and I strongly suspect that this may be why as he can make them initially but they always start avoiding him after a while.

My way of coping is to remind myself of his age and how much he has been through so no wonder he sees the negatives as for a long time he wasnt thrown many positives in life. I also try to get breaks every now and again for some respite (he lives with us full time, doesn't see his mum as she refuses to see him or his brother).