Thots,
May I suggest that you take some time off to clear your mind? It can be difficult to decide on a course of action when you're constantly worrying.
After you’ve taken a step back, ask yourself - what are your fears if you do not help your sister according to her ways? - That your dad & sister may perceive you as being heartless and cut off ties with you? That your sister may harm herself if she did not get the help that she wants? That you might perceive yourself as having failed your duties as a sister/mother for not protecting her? It may be good to talk about these to someone you trust, as it is likely to be on your mind and may interfere in your decision-making process.
Then, consider what are the options? Eg
- Go according to what your sister wants – what are the consequences? Think there were many comments that discouraged you from walking this path and you don’t seem keen in this approach, for obvious reasons...
- Let go and don’t help your sister at all, let her learn her lessons the hard way. From your posts, I gathered that you most probably wouldn’t choose this path too…
- Come up with your plan to help the family, even if it deviates from what your dad and your sister wants.
I’m assuming that you would prefer the last option, although you’re unsure of the how the plan should look like and how to get your dad & sister to cooperate with you.
I’m afraid I don’t have any good suggestions about how the plan should look like. However, I don’t think it’s a good idea to behave as though you are the one who has incurred the debts. Remind yourself that you did not incur the debts, and your sister needs to take action if she does not want to be a bankrupt. From what I know, even if she procrastinate and refused to take any action, the banks may still proceed with legal action on their part (ie, not taking action on her part is also leading to some consequences. Time won’t stop for her just because she refused to look at it).
You may also want to consider if there are any relatives/friends whom your dad is close to. Can they help to talk to your dad? To help him be more aware of the more rational choices that he can make to help your sister?
It is sad when family used terms like “if you love me, you should…â€. However, don’t fall into the trap. You know best how much you love your family.
Do take care.