I’m at an impasse with my parents that I no longer know how to address. I work as a nurse overnight, three nights a week. I have been doing so for eight years. I started when my son was little and now he is 13, almost old enough to stay by himself but not quite there.
My parents, of course, have gotten older as well. They are now in their mid-70s, though still in great health for the most part. They are active. My son has mostly gotten along with them and, except for the normal teenage issues, they have very little problems with him.
Here is where the issue comes in. Over the last two years (pandemic times), I have found that for my mental and physical health, working my three nights all at once is better for my health than splitting up one on, two off or two on and one off. The problem is my parents are completely against me working that. They say it’s too hard on them to deal with getting my son up and out the door on school days three times a week. But when my days are split up, I find my energy is bad, I don’t get much in terms of recovery, and I find myself easily slipping into depression. I also snack more as well which is impacting my weight.
I keep getting the push back that since they are providing child care, I should bend to them, but I don’t know if I can take the mental hit any more. Any advice for discussing this rationally? Half the time my mom either shuts the conversation down or she gets very upset. For what it’s worth, my father seems fine with the idea. I’ve been in therapy and the last therapist I had (insurance changed so I’m between at the moment) agreed that I did better with multiple in a row.