Parents bingo card complete - total lack of interest of us

[Missedvocation]

AIBU to be annoyed that once again, my parents have completely ignored me, DP and the children’s actual lives - only interested in their own image.

Lighthearted really, because I’ve come to terms with it and now try to see the light side. I cannot remember the last time my parents or my siblings asked a single question to any of me or my family - even ‘how are you’. Not one. Me and my wife decided on this visit that we would offer absolutely no information. We would only ask questions about them. We got a grand total of 0 questions. Despite us just having come back from a two week trip to America, a promotion at work for me, a 7 month old baby and 4 year old daughter - plenty to ask about! But nothing. Literally nothing.

They are good at entertaining the children, but just seem so uninterested!!

Just smile and wait for the inheritance.

So far on my bingo card I have:
A rundown of everyone who has died during the year wether I knew them or not.
A list of other people's children who have got married, had a baby, got a new job wether I know them or not
A list of the things my Brother has done that is better, bigger, more expensive than things I have done.
A monologue on how my children don't talk very much, bearing in mind they haven't asked them a single question and haven't left space for anyone else to get a word in edgeways

Was visiting family, about 10 minutes after leaving the airport and I’m mid sentence when my mother starts talking over the top of me. The information that couldn’t possibly wait? Oh look, that’s the same car that Mary has.

(Mary drives some generic hatchback, not a 1973 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow)

Thus sounds so familiar, especially points one and two. When I was single point two was particularly detailed.

Why don’t you tell them how you all are Prompt and guide the conversation so it improves - we can all learn and change.
. If they are good grandparents thats the main thing.
not everyone gets good grandparents so appreciate that
also when you have raised your own kids you can get a bit wrapped up in your own life and this is also a positive as the flip side is needy parents who can’t let go

Have they always been like this? I find with elderly relatives that as they have got older they have got more self-absorbed and less interested in what's going on in other people's lives and in the world generally. I don't know if it's a cognitive/memory thing. I find my MIL and DM tend to talk a lot about their younger days and tell the same stories you've heard a hundred times. I think it's because their long term memories are a lot clearer than their short term memories!

On the plus side, at least your parents are loving grandparents and good at entertaining the children. Accept that this is how they are and try and focus on the positive.

Maybe it’s better to not be asked, rude and selfish yes, but at least they let you be.