AIBU to worry my retired parents never want to go out?

Don’t even get me started on that. They think they know best all the time.

If they're happy then that's fine, leave them to it

Plenty of people do just love their own company and being at home without the pressure on to be running around doing this, that and the other.

My parents were only very occasional socialisers once they had both retired. They did like going on holidays two or three times a year, but weren't particularly big on having a social life.

I'll be 60 in a few weeks and can already feel myself becoming similar.

She doesn't sound immature at all. You do sound bit uptight, though!

You sound rather immature with no understanding whatsoever of the importance of physical and mental health as we age

I'm perfectly well informed. You're just awfully prickly.

As you age your energy levels diminish. Tasks and activities that took you, say an hour, fives years on can take you much longer.
I'm in my 70's, relatively healthy and I have always been quite active, but I have found walking my neighbours dog ( something I do on a daily basis) absolutely wipes me out for a couple of hours!
DH (in the building trade) cannot work two days on the trot as he just doesn't have the physical energy.
There are lots of things we would love to do but we have to consider our energy levels and our finances. In real terms my pension isn't what it was, and we both rely on DH (self employed) to do the odd days work to pay for luxuries and holidays.

This!

I have to so often refrain from telling them to stop bossing me about!

I'm their age, still working part time, but one day I will do exactly as your parents do. Have time to garden and see my friends and read and walk. Exciting days out with grandkids sound a misery- I've done all that with my 3.
I'd also decline your offer of 'fitting car seats in the car.'

Perhaps they want a bit of peace.

'oh do chill out'....

You sound rather immature with no understanding whatsoever of the importance of physical and mental health as we age.

Perhaps they're worried about leaving the dog for any length of time. You can't take a dog everywhere and, if he's older, they might just want to spend as much time with him as they can.

Why is the concept of doing strength training amusing to you?

Oh do chill out.

It's not the concept but the fact that it's one more thing we have to worry about.

My PILs are like this. A very strict routine of two supermarket trips a week and other than that just doctors when needed. They have nothing to talk about other that what other people have told them

Jealousy obviously. If you are run off your feet and/or struggling for money, a well off retirement feels like a dream come true. Like formal education is wasted on the young, retirement is wasted on the old.

DH and I are a similar age to your parents, we have lots of holidays, trips,go out for meals,or just coffee to our favourite place, see friends, wine tastings, concerts, comedy gigs. We like lazy days too. Life is for living.

We are late 60s and I would personally hate that life. We balance going out and away a lot with lazy days at home. But everyone is different. We don't do childcare.

Why is the concept of doing strength training amusing to you?

I have osteoporosis and doing regular exercise with weights is essential for me as I want to stay as healthy and independent as I can.

Nothing funny about ending up with broken bones or/and in a wheelchair.

Staying home is fine as long as we're active physically and mentally. It appears that walking the dog and a spot of gardening doesn't cut it anymore. We need to be doing "strength training" so help me 😂

And don't underestimate the important of social connections. Even for us introverts!

I got in from work at 5pm on Friday and haven’t left the house since. I like being at home. I find it the most relaxing place to be.

some people are content at home others like to travel- im a bit younger but like to be out to be honest, home is simply a base to keep your stuff - might be because ive moved a lot, i don’t get tied to buildings. My parents still take 3-4 trips a year of varying lengths though are staying within Europe now and prefer to cruise from Southampton apart from the occasional flight from local airport to the same hotels as before, they find the bigger airports too stressful and want to avoid new hotels after some bad experiences

But none of that is the case here. They're not housebound, nor is there any indication that they're not physically and mentally well.

They're nowhere near housebound.

OP has only made about 4 posts, click on see all on the OP to read them.

The problem about it being 'their choice' is that making the choice of being almost house bound and doing little to maintain your physical and mental capabilities will have impact on their health/independence as they continue to age and that might mean a bigger burden on their family members.

So their current choice will also impact their family.

I think what would concern me is the effect on their physical and mental health.

I am a big introvert so I don't do a big amount of socialising but I know that getting some fresh air, going for walks, doing regular exercise and having hobbies is essential to keep a healthy mind and body.

If they stay indoors all the time just watching TV for example then I would talk to them about your concerns because this is not going to help maintaining cognitive functions or physical strength and might mean they lose their independence sooner.

I really relish being able to lead the life I want now that I am in my 70s. The life I want is to stay at home. In my younger days I supported my 3 children with child care, supported 3 elderly relatives for 5 years and was involved in all sorts of voluntary work
Just pottering around doing my own thing. Gardening, reading, TikTok, I’m a huge BTS fan and doing puzzles. I am never bored,.

It's their choice. We're the same age range, 62 and 72. Love holidays, including long haul. Eat out. Cinema, theatre, walks, sea swimming, gigs. But that's because we like it that way. If they're happy, it's their life.

What are you concerned about? Declining health? Declining cognitive function? That they are not happy? They sound like they are happy enough, keeping on top of all the chores annd necessities of life and very involved with the grandkids. They might not be able to afford to go away now they are retired. If you are worried I suggest having a conversation with them. That will be the quickest way to put your mind at rest.