I am noticing that a number of forty something people I know are so busy that they go for long periods of time without seeing their retired parents. I find it really sad to see. I think people need to examine their priorities. Is being busy a legitimate excuse for failing to set aside real time for them?
2007-04-19 21:36:47 · 8 answers · asked by pete the pirate 5 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
I am never busy for my parents. I make it an effort to call them when ever I am overseas. Tell them my contact details and they can reach me any times. The moment I am back home, I spend my entire weekend with them with no intervals due to my work have heavy traveling schedule. I do not restrict myself to call them, I call them once a week on pc and once a week by phone call. I do not find excuse as not to visit them but I always find excuse to be back home and be with them.
2007-04-19 21:42:03 · answer #1 · answered by abonoyah 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It isn't always easy to go and see people if they are quite a distance away but with the telephone and computers, it is easy to communicate. If you live in the same town, I think it is important that you maintain face to face contact at least once a week and then also a phone call.
I am fortunate to be in a position of travelling to see my Mum once a fortnight but even this takes a lot of planning. I intend to continue this for as long as she lives. We lost Dad last year and one of the comforting things was that I had made an effort to help him and spend time with him in those last few years.
Not everyone feels the same. My brother had a different sort of relationship with out parents and he says it doesn't worry him about not seeing Mum more than twice a year. I tell him that as long as he can live with his conscience after she is gone, then it's up to him.
2007-04-20 04:52:10 · answer #2 · answered by lizzie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know you or your story, but I am sure that my husbands parents would say the same thing as you. The reason my husband does not speak to or see his parents is because of abuse and their refusal to take responsibility for what happened in the past. Just because there is blood between people does not obligate them to spend time and resources on them. I believe in family, but I also believe in keeping negative people out of my life, blood or not.
As my Mother says, "the phone works both ways". If a relationship is not working for you, you make the changes to yourself first and hope the others will as well. But you can't change anyone else, just yourself.
2007-04-20 10:24:10 · answer #3 · answered by PLDFK 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
AMEN!!!!!! Finally someone who sees my point of view! How sad it is that they spend all their youth taking care of their children and doing what parents do. No parent is perfect, however we all are human. I believe that our parents don't owe us anything, that maybe we owe them. Just a little gratitude is the best thing at all. It may let them know that in some way they did a good job. Honor thy mother and father is one of the Big 10. As adults, we can't blame our parents for every little flaw we have. I think they should go get a therapist, and go and give their parents a hug! What we would only give to have one when we lose them. Thanks for the question! Good Point
2007-04-20 10:13:51 · answer #4 · answered by Bobbie M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sadly, far too easily. Forty-somethings are usually parents themselves- of teenagers. There is a lot going on in the life of parent. I don't think that most of them do it on purpose. However, I do agree with you and I think that it is the responsibility of the younger generations to care for the older generations. Sadly, too many drop off the aging at a nursing home and never return to see them. It's sick.
2007-04-20 04:41:16 · answer #5 · answered by ravenna_wing1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I check in with my dad by e mail because i am on the other side of the world My mom died of cancer and I would love to have the chance again to hang out and for her to be healthy Enjoy your parents life is unpredictable and crazy nothing is a given
2007-04-20 05:01:46 · answer #6 · answered by chameleon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's heartbreaking. They won't know what it feels like if or until it happens to them. Then, they'll realize not only how sad it is for them, but how bad they made their parent(s) feel.
2007-04-20 04:45:17 · answer #7 · answered by vinny_the_hack 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree. I just wish that my parents were living, so that I could visit them.
2007-04-20 04:40:16 · answer #8 · answered by PEGGY S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋