When All Moving Matters
Similarities Between Communicating with Your Parents and with Your Children
by Charlotte Schutzman on 02/22/11
We recently visited our younger son who is (a three hour plane ride)
away at college. It was a great weekend, and we were able to really
communicate with our non-phone talking, non-text replying, non-email answering
son.
In today's world, filled with many forms of electronic communication
methods, it's often hard to have a real, meaningful conversation. This visit with our son made me think about how meaningful conversations don't just happen - you have to work at them.
If you thought that talking to your children about sex, drugs, alcohol, or curfews was difficult, try talking with your parents about driving, using a walker, aging in place, or ensuring financial security.
My husband and I are very fortunate to have our parents still living - ages 85, 87, 88, and 90. If we were being truthful with our parents, we would be having those important conversations. But we’re not and it’s important to understand how we can change the dynamics and tackle the tough issues – much the same as we’ve done with our children.
These discussions don't get any easier over time. The earlier we begin to talk with our parents about the tough issues - from downsizing to a more manageable home or making the current home safer and easy to access, to how the multitude of pills can be safely managed, to the need to have someone help out with tasks which used to be second nature to our parents - the better is will be for all of us when the time comes to make important decisions.
As a daughter (and as a senior move manager), I work hard to help my parents and my clients feel comfortable with change - minimizing stress and maximizing opportunities for enjoying what these new stages of life have to offer.
