I have a question.

I’ve always taken the attitude that I don’t mind helping anyone as long as they are trying to help themselves in some way. Taking positive steps. Some are just not ready to accept the help and for your own sanity you have to know when to walk away. Not desert them but not putting yourself out either.

Can only speak from my own experience. But it’s when they’re clearly down the same path again. They won’t change till they learn. They won’t learn till they realize no one is cleaning up the mess anymore.

It’s like in The Neverending Story. Artax refusing to move. Have to leave them behind because you really can’t help.

I dont know honestly. Some might say when they bite the hand that feeds them. Been there but I didn't give up on them though.

When you find the only difference in their life is your own actions and they stop helping themselves, assuming of course they can.

When they don't try to help themselves. I have no idea. When you think they don't care or don't want your help or don't want to change. But I guess some people need to be pushed. For some people walking away is helping because helping too much can be enabling.

When they apparently decide there’s no need to help themselves be cause they’re happy for me to do it for them.

When it's causing you harm. I wouldn't measure how I am helping them unless maybe I felt I was enabling them? Even then, if it was not harming me I'd be there, as I know people don't know how to help themselves from what they battle and people give up quick. I feel being there is more and giving of more meaning than not being there, as long as you can handle what struggles it creates in you.

Maybe when you stop believing in them or when you run out of resources.

three times
if NO effect? i back off

I don’t mind helping anyone but I’m not going to help them while they go off to play and me there doing the work. Some times you can only help after they realize you don’t have to be there to help.

When they say no.

Why do people force themselves so much on others?

Isn't that a little tiny bit like rape, when it's not wanted?

No, means no. No need to come back. Much less endlessly.

When it becomes obvious they are taking advantage of you.

I stop when it is obvious that they are not responding to my help.

Hard one to which there is no general answer

When you understand and see they dont want it.

When you stop caring

When it’s not helping them and\or it’s hurting [b]you[/b].
I learned this the hard way during my life.

When they become indifferent to your input to their life which you think needs fixing!

In what way?

When they refuse to stop