K, I have no idea where the "strong" is supposed to come from in these situations - your M and your dad at the same time. It would be be inhuman to expect you to "be strong". I know I'm weak.
My D12 has a handbag "issue" too. She has a ton of them and people keep giving her more. Each time we go out she totes one of these with her IPOD, cellphone, chapstick, etc.
