Have you noticed this with your parents as they’ve got older?

[Thesleer]

I don’t know if i’m being unfair. I’m in my early forties and my parents are late sixties. They have a few buy to let properties and whilst not incredibly wealthy they are comfortable. I feel this detail is relevant as it means they have lots of options open to them. Neither work now, they are in decent health generally, have a few grandchildren they see regularly. Both have wide friendship groups and socialise.

But, they just don’t seem happy. Always wanting something else. Is this what happens as you get older? The current drama is whether they need to move house, it’s like they enjoy creating a chaotic situation that simply doesn’t need to exist. Every weekend they’ve asked me to view houses with them (I have two dc so life is quite busy!) and they often comment on how life is nearly over.

On a lesser scale, there’s often dramas about getting home from a shop and the blueberries or whatever being off, calling the shop and having a rant about it, just really insane petty things. It all seems so stressful even from the outside!

I have sympathy in the sense that I can understand how life can feel empty sometimes even when it isn’t, but truthfully I’m also getting sick of the inability to see they have a pretty nice life! AIBU? Is this what happens as people
age?

Huge generalisation but men seem more grumpy as they age

Yes this is exactly the time that parents start becoming the children and doing annoying things for your attention 🤣

Funny you mention mouldy blueberries. It's hard to find fresh ones the last couple of years. I don't rant, honestly, but I am quietly disappointed (late sixties, perhaps the ranting is for the next decade).

How long ago did they retire? I can imagine me starting to fret about small things once I retire in a few years' time...God help my kids 😄 you say they have a good social life etc but do they keep their minds active? My own dad volunteered for a couple of charities the minute he retired, as he needed that mental stimulation.

😄😄🤣 yep, can see this happening with me if I'm not very careful!

Yes, I’ve got exactly the same issue even down to moving house every three years and the blueberries. Currently looking for another property as they don’t like the neighbours/cost/smell here.
mine are bored. No hobbies, with each other 24/7 and my circumstances have changed in that childcare isn’t needed as much and our family are more settled in general and therefore don’t have as much to do.
I find they’re making stupid ass decisions. They aren’t in great health sadly and this moving to another property isn’t what any sane person would be doing quite frankly and not considering their future health needs.
Having worked with older people a long time, I find it’s not the norm but certainly see it a fair bit.
I’ve been working hard to make my life easier and my parents seem to be doing the opposite 😆