1. Let's get this one out of the way first.
Nursing home.
No.
I rest my case
2. We can have an open, honest adult relationship --
as long as you remember --
We are still your parents. We raised you. You owe us.
3. Yes, we do know what it's like.
Most of us went through the 60's and 70's.
Get my drift?
4. Call.
You don't need a reason...and it makes us feel good.
5. Ask our advice.
Even if you have no intention of taking it, it makes us feel needed.
6. Show your gratitude.
You can't repay us for all we have done for you, so grateful acknowlegement from time to time goes a long way. Though we may seem invincible, we won't be around forever. Telling us how you feel about us now will save you a lot of guilt later.
7. Speaking of guilt...
Feeling guilty is probably nature's way of telling you to "Call your parents!"
8. We are happy to share our possessions with you,
but would you please ask first?
It makes us feel like senility is setting in when we could have sworn we owned a lawn mower, but can't find it anywhere.
9. When you start asking us how much we are spending on things, it makes us think you are wondering how much of your inheritance will be left.
Stop wondering. We're going to spend it on ourselves. We deserve it.
10. When we are finally too feeble to get there on our own, take us to the library.
We can stock up on large type books, DVDs and talking books or attend the many free programs our library has to offer adults.
(Look for "Events amd Programs" on
our website.
Then we won't be so sad and lonely when you don't call.
Here is some help for that "empty nest."
Winging It: Dispatches from an (almost) Empty Nest
Barbara & Susan's Guide to the Empty Nest
Beyond the Mommy Years: How to live happily ever after --- after the kids leave home
The Empty Nest: 31 Parents tell the truth about relationships, love and freedom after the kids fly the coop
The Happy Empty Nest: Rediscovering love and success after your kids leave home
Anything you parents want to add?
5 comments:
I'm forwarding a link to this blog to my almost out of the nest children. Might as well get the cards on the table! Thanks for the advice...I will learn from your pain!
I would add: We love you. we have always loved you and will always love you. We remember you as babies, toddlers, youths, teens and every memory of you is precious to us. If you have kids, know that we feel the same way about you as you feel about them. If you don't have kids, you will understand when you do.
Surely none of this comes from your personal experience. I hear your adult kid(s) could not be more wonderful.
Also-
Though I love you and even LIKE you...I do not want to store all your stuff forever (I have plans for that room) or become the caretaker of all the pets you can't keep because you moved and they won't let you have a ferret, hamster, cat, etc.
How about this one: We want to have fun with our grandchildren and enjoy them. Discipline and caregiving is your department (and I don't even have grandchildren yet!)
Post a Comment