I am 28F single no kids with parents between 55-60. They’re relatively healthy but I know that won’t last forever. When I think about the idea of them no longer being here, I start to cry almost immediately. That said, I don’t know how to make the most of my time left with them while also still being happy.
I live in a state 3,000 miles away. Long story short, I love my life and where I live and I struggle to see a day when I will be willing to move back to where I grew up, a place I closely associate with depression.
I talk to my parents on the phone every day and come to visit them for a week at a time every 3-4 months. I always remind them how much I love and appreciate them. When I visit, I also spend time with my brother & his kids and my friends I grew up with. This upsets my dad sometimes. The time I spend with them never seems to be enough in their eyes, they complain I don’t spend enough time with them.
They’ve been amazing parents (always loving, supportive, provided me with almost everything I needed to become a successful adult), but I can’t say I fully enjoy spending time with them, so I don’t know how to make the most of the time we have. We have very different perspectives on politics and lifestyle choices, and I often find our personalities clash. I love them the most when I have some space from them (I am like this with most people I love).
I’ve always envied people that love spending time with their parents. I know I can’t be the only one with a similar predicament. How can I make the most of my time left with my parents without sacrificing my happiness?
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I was never my parents best friend growing up, but we weren't enemies either, I had a very regular childhood and family life. As I got older I did find myself spending more time with my parents. Now, as I reach my mid to late 30s I find I spend A LOT of time with my parents. They live fairly close to me and they still have their 'youth.' They are in their mid 60s. We hang by the pool on weekends meet up at parks with the dogs and I spend lots of time shopping and decorating with mom.
I have a pretty normal social life, but single, not sure if that matters. Any other millennials spend time socially with their parents these days? I find a lot of my peers do as well. Just curious if its a trend with our age group or I am out of the norm.