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Elderly parents

Older folks and their endearing ways . Not.

205 replies

Nofeckingway · 13/04/2026 17:41

Going on from a previous OP that said her ILs drive her insane with their narrow food choices, constant tea drinking and couch sitting .. what little harmless ways drive you mad ?
My father when I was younger and visiting with small DCs would come into the bedroom when he figured we had slept enough to squeegee and dry the windows of any condensation. Happened a lot as we often visited at Xmas time . Just because it was his habit every morning . Also wanted a dinner at 1pm despite us only getting around to brunch at 12. Would turn news on in middle of people talking . Hated anyone sitting in his chair .

But he redeemed himself as he was also a loving generous man and he and my mother would go shopping for nappies, wipes , food for our visits and pick up the tab for meals out .

OP posts:
Nofeckingway · 13/04/2026 18:08

@legalseagull How else do you differentiate groups ? Not about toddlers or teenagers or Gen Z ..

OP posts:
Meadowfinch · 13/04/2026 18:01

Affectionately remembered.... My mum's refusal to accept that a plate of food without meat, fish, eggs or cheese could constitute a meal.
One summer evening, I carefully made a beautiful pasta sauce of home grown tomatoes, ev olive oil, garlic, and basil, over wholemeal spaghetti. It was simmered gently, loaded with fresh flavours, rich and summery.

She poked it suspiciously, turned the spaghetti over and peered underneath, and then said 'what are you serving for main course?' 😁

legalseagull · 13/04/2026 17:50

Imagine if this post were discriminatory against any other group - “disabled people and their endearing ways. Not”

StripedPillowcase · 13/04/2026 17:49

Warming the plates in the oven for every meal. The plates get put in the oven with whatever is cooking, so they are scorching hot when you're trying to dish up.

I know it's because they eat more slowly than they used to, and it keeps the food hot for longer, I let them crack on.

But when they found out that I never warm the plates at home, you would think the world had ended! They just couldn't fathom how I can serve meals like that.

Diamond7272 · 13/04/2026 17:45

My parents are obsessed with the neighbours and 'not letting anyone down' at the golf club... They are concerned what other people think of them, to a point of worry.

They will happily let me down though.