Getting a Relative to Stop Posting Right-Wing Garbage on Facebook

[MineralMan]

It's very, very difficult. I have one such relative, who daily shares idiotic memes and photos from right-wing sources on FB. My habit has been to block the sources, but not to block that relative. Right now, he's involved in the estate stuff I'm handling as the executor.

He's very aware that I am politically completely opposite of him. For some time, he has posted to that effect from time to time. However, he is now relying on me to handle the complexities of dealing with the estate. He is not someone who does well with things like filling out insurance claims and other paperwork. It confuses him, and he gets it wrong, which delays the process and causes him enormous frustration.

So, I've been patiently helping him get those forms filled out correctly. After a couple of errors that delayed payment to him and his wife, my sister, he finally asked for my help with those things. I'm glad to do so, since his errors also slow down other aspects of handling the estate.

What I have noticed is that he has stopped posting right-wing nonsense on Facebook, which is our main venue for communication, since he has difficulties managing emails and online form filling, using his cell phone. He no longer has a computer of any kind. So, I have told him to ask for paper forms, rather than stumbling around on his phone online and making mistakes. So, now, he gets the forms mailed to him and then calls me for help completing them. In most cases, they are forms I must also fill out, so I have copies of my completed forms on hand, and can walk him through the process.

He appears to have recognized that his brother-in-law, the "libtard," is the one who understands this process and can help him with tasks he is not fully equipped to handle. He doesn't read instructions. I do. He spells poorly. I do not. He is easily and intensely frustrated when confused, and then makes even more mistakes. So, I'm helping him, because my sister has Alzheimer's and can't really participate in this process.

The result is that he has stopped filling his FB feed with right-wing propaganda. Perhaps he is recognizing that deliberate, willful ignorance is not a useful strategy when things get complicated and you need help from your "libtard" brother-in-law. Or perhaps not. Maybe he is just humoring me so I'll continue to help him and make sure things get done to his benefit.

I don't know. If he resumes his nonsense, once this estate is settled, I will block him on FB. Until then, I will continue to help him, for my sister's sake.

[LizBeth]

1. I unfollowed them so I do not see their shit they post, but still friends if I want to talk to them.

[Arthur_Frain]

2. I'd bet dollars to donuts a week after you're finished completely, it's back to normal.

nt.

[MineralMan]

3. Perhaps so. I will see.

If so, then he gets blocked. For now, though, I'm the one writing the checks from the family trust, and the only one competent to handle all the complexities.

Apparently "libtards" have their uses, I guess.

[SWBTATTReg]

4. Good for you, in helping your sister via your brother in law. I know that as time

passes, and more and more immediate family members of one's original family pass away, and there are fewer of us remaining (I know your folks just passed away too fairly recently), it really comes home to you when you realize that you're the only ones left.

I have a remaining sister (and her daughter) that is helping my pretty helpless alcoholic brother whose mind is gone/dementia. The brother wouldn't be able to handle anyone else coming into the picture and helping him out, he would get too frustrated (like your BIL).
They found him an assisted living place, so now the trick is pretty similar to finding water for a horse, you can lead the horse to the water, but you can't make him drink it. So, will my brother listen to advice and actually move for his own good?

And you're exactly right, perhaps your BIL realizes the error of his ways, or at least, had modified his own reprehensible behavior when he truly found out what he was in fact supporting (the libtards, oh no!). I suspect that he'll never admit to it, but hey, this is a victory of sorts for you perhaps.

And yeah, sure there is help out there in the 'real world', tons of it, but when you have a comfortable face/friend/family member to use instead for that help, why not?

Best wishes to you (your sister) and best wishes also in your move in Minn.

[MiniMe]

5. Or, he made a 2nd Facebook account to spew the crap

And you are not "friends with him on the alternate account.