Caregiving for Mom

Today I was told that I need to step up my game and give up my week-ends for caregiving so that mother does not lose this benefit.  I called the Care Agency and I was told that mother may lose the hours for the week-ends only if there are no caregivers who can provide it.  Last year, I agreed to temporarily provide care-giving for $16/hour paid for by the Care Agency to allow my sister to attend to her out of the country trips.  I now find myself being guilt tripped as the surrogate caregiver for the week-ends because I am already in the Care Agency system and will be paid to do so.

I don't need the extra job as a caregiver.  I need my week-ends to do chores, to rest, and to be ready mentally to get back on the grind Monday to Thursday for the grueling 10 hour/day job.  I love my mom but I am not the solution to a bigger problem of caregiving duties.  I'm not being selfish.  I am setting boundaries.  If the agency cannot find the week-end caregiver, and no other sibling, relative, or friend can do it then, other options have to be considered.  It is not any one person's responsibility or weight to carry.