Jacob

Parent: Michelle (52)

Adult Child: Jacob (27) & Breigh (21)

Location: Senoia, GEORGIA

Michelle's life has been defined by being a caregiver from the very start. Raised in a fractured family, she had to shoulder the responsibilities of looking after her divorced parents while bouncing between their two homes. As an adult, she found herself in a marriage with a man secretly grappling with substance abuse issues. It wasn't until after having two children with him that Michelle discovered his secret. Michelle eventually divorced her husband and became the sole provider for her son, Jacob, and daughter, Breigh. Neither children have yet left the nest, so Michelle continues to take care of everyone else except herself.

Although both children have not launched in life, Jacob is the more problematic of the two. He has a good job and was recently promoted, along with a sizable hike in pay. He works at a meat processing plant. Although he gets paid well, he spends uncontrollably and doesn’t pay rent to his mother who is living on a fixed income. This creates a tremendous burden for Michelle. If that wasn’t enough, Jacob has a terrible attitude problem. He’s mean, inconsiderate and creates drama at home. He doesn’t even buy his mother a Christmas gift. Like her brother, Breigh doesn’t contribute financially, nor does she help out around the house. The biggest difference is that Breigh is respectful, kind and considerate. She has a good relationship with her mother, whereas Jacob is always causing problems, pushing his mother to her breaking point.  

Jacob gave "independence," a shot a few years ago when he moved a mere two houses away from Michelle with his then-girlfriend, Emily. After some time, the couple's relationship hit the rocks. Emily started spending less and less time in the home and eventually moved back in with her parents. Jacob relied on Michelle financially during this time, and despite her help, Jacob decided to stop paying rent and was ultimately evicted from the property and moved back in with Michelle earlier this year. Jacob does not pay rent, nor does he help around the house. He spends all of his money on frivolous things such as gourmet foods, outdoor recreational equipment and clothing.

Breigh's life is deeply entwined with her mother, Michelle, both emotionally and financially, making her dependent on Michelle for constant support. She once ventured into the workforce as a self-checkout associate and after only a week on the job, found it overwhelmingly stressful, leading to a near nervous breakdown. As a result, Breigh is not currently employed and doesn't seem motivated to find a job. Breigh spends much of her time isolated in her messy room where a mountain of dishes and knee-high piles of clothes fill the space. Breigh doesn't have a driver's license, and her fear of driving poses a significant challenge and a source of concern for Michelle, who bears the burden of Breigh's transportation needs. Michelle fears that if Breigh doesn't gain some sort of independence soon, she never will. Jacob has outright said that he won't be stuck caring for his sister and this grim truth weighs heavily on Michelle. 

 This family is on the brink of crisis, with Michelle struggling to keep everything together. The number 52 holds an eerie significance for Michelle as both her parents passed away at that age. Now 52 herself, she believes she must break the 'Curse of 52' to ensure her own longevity. With her 53rd birthday approaching in March 2024 she lives with a sense of impending unease. Most of her life has been dedicated to caring for others, and she yearns for a future where she can prioritize herself. Michelle dreams of renting a 1-bedroom apartment, an opportunity to live alone and be responsible only for herself, a life far removed from her children and the overwhelming responsibilities they entail. Resentment is building up, and it's only a matter of time before Michelle reaches her breaking point.