My son keeps borrowing money from his brother and never pays it back
DEAR DEIDRE: MY eldest son keeps borrowing money from my youngest and seems to have no intention of paying it back.
His wife, who kicked him out two years ago after he slept with his work assistant, stayed in the family home with their three kids while he bought a tiny flat.
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He found paying for both mortgages crippling so he asked for £200 to help pay some bills.
My youngest is well-off and has no children to provide for, so agreed to lend him the cash.
But he has been asking for more and more every month. Now he owes his brother more than £5,000.
He’s 34, my youngest is 27 and I’m 59.
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Whenever we bring up paying it back, he either changes the subject or snaps at us, telling us he’s got enough on his plate.
How do we put a stop to this cycle without making him feel unsupported?
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DEIDRE SAYS: Your son is going through a lot and is lucky to have such a supportive family around him.
It may be difficult for him if there isn’t enough income, with only his job supporting their family of four.
Encourage him to contact Money Helper (), who offer free, impartial advice.
In terms of stopping him from borrowing money from your son, a firm but fair approach is best. Say that this can’t go on, but that you’ll help him find other ways to boost his income.
My support pack Standing Up For Yourself will help.