Feeling unappreciated, but I'm a "kid"
I see all these articles about how to deal with feeling unappreciated if you're a mom (single or not) or being unappreciated by your partner, but I never see anything about feeling unappreciated AND being a teen.
I work really hard, at least I hope I do. I get good grades in school, try to participate in any way I can and at home too. I do plenty chores like laundry, taking care of all the pets in our house, taking the trash out, and even the dishes sometimes as well. Almost every chore that needs to be done.
All the work seems to be put on me though, I have a younger sibling who is fully capable of doing these things as well but decides not to, and a mother who complains and gets on my back about things like which way the towels are supposed to face when I fold them. My father is the only other person who I really see works hard on chores as well, and I appreciate that.
But. I do these things when I'm simply told to, and I don't get a single bit of gratification in return. I don't get paid like most of my peers do, and most of the time I don't even get a simple thank you. Then, my family just wants more out of me by making me do so many excessive amounts of chores thinking that I don't do anything with my spare time. So now the day gets wasted on doing things around the house when, really any of the other 3 people living here could do and not just me alone.
And I mean that, like having to walk all the way downstairs to put some toilet paper in the bathroom when there's my mom and my sister down there instead of me.
Another thing is is that they think I don't do enough, or anything for that matter. I have to hold my mom's phone while she drives so she can talk to someone and when I refuse or state that she can "set it next to her and still talk" that "I need to be helpful for once." And all I can think of by then is: Have I not been helpful enough?
I would appreciate some advice!
@tallAvocado1634
You're so patient and generous for continuing to work so hard, even without the much-deserved appreciation. Thing is, if you keep it up, you could get overworked. You sound like you're their voluntary slave. Remember to rest. If they start to reprimand you for not being helpful, don't listen to them because you know it's not true. You sound like the perfect child. I bet they wouldn't be able to get by without you. You could also try confronting them and telling them how much you do that goes unseen. My best advice is to take a break, and only do what they tell you to do. See how things turn out then. If the house gets too chaotic, you might want to take steps to get back into working, just to set order back. They may notice the difference. Also, please don't burn yourself out.
@tallAvocado1634
No advice since it would get me in trouble but you have my compassion and my appreciation...