Earlier this week, some of you may have read Shelley Abreu's "Stuck in the Middle" essay,
which addresses the hardships and frustrations she confronts as a
mother of three who also must take care of her own mother. The piece
sparked an often heated debate among Babble's commenters, one that raises an important question: Is it inappropriate for a writer to discuss her loved ones in a public forum? 
"Living with my mother and feeling responsible for her financial future
often feels like an overwhelming burden," Abreu writes. "Instead of saving money for my
children's education, traveling as a family, or even going out to eat,
my husband and I spend our money on the hefty mortgage. We've talked
about selling, but between the weakening economy and our need to house
so many people, it's not a viable option for us. Not only do we fret
about our children's future, but we worry about my mom's as well. With
no retirement funds to live off of, her financial future is in our
hands."
Abreu
goes on to confess that she sometimes resents her mother (and her late
father) for putting her family in this situation. She also wishes her
mother would work a little more frequently, even though she also
understands why, at this stage in her life, she shouldn't have to. From
where I sit, having those feelings is perfectly understandable. The
question is whether Abreu should have written about them on a Web site
like Babble. Some of the commenters said no way, using pretty harsh
language.
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