Childless/childfree boomers

[KimberleyClark]

I’m one of these and have found this thread a real eye opener

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5277456-were-spending-the-kids-inheritance?page=26&reply=142283647

The vitriol against boomer parents is shocking. I feel relieved to not have adult children resenting every penny I spend on myself and waiting for me to die so they can get their hands on their inheritance! I do have a nephew, and he’ll get what is left over, but his parents are much better off than we are, so I don’t feel giilty about putting ourselves first!

I had to stop reading that thread as it made me angry. And I’m only 40+ and had boomer parents (now deceased).
I never understand the hate aimed at boomers. People accuse them of “hoarding all the wealth” but equally don’t want them spending it. They want it just to be given to THEM!
I don’t think people can imagine being older and realising that your time (especially healthy time) is now very limited.
My husbands parents have been very generous. They paid for 3 kids weddings, their house deposits, one divorce, have been childcare for 11 years for 4 kids but now at 75 they are spending. And quite rightly so. They talk about the fact they go to at least one funeral a month now of their friends. Their health issues are increasing. And yes they have joked about spending their kids inheritance! But they all know it’s just said in jest and the fact they must have given their kids and grandkids hundreds of thousands over the years is not forgotten. My husband and his siblings want their parents to enjoy what remaining years they have left. It might be one year. It might be 20. But chances are not many will be healthy years.

People's DC seem to expect so much now, DPs paying for everything until they leave Uni, then to go on living at home for free for years while they save a house deposit and lots of wealthier parents do it. MN is not representative of the population, most people haven't got endless money to give their DC without leaving themselves short in their later years.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg1e75ddygo

Endemic in society

I am another in this category, and the thread appalled me. The utter lack of thought into how they are comparing apples to oranges , and the lack of worth they attribute to their parents wellbeing is shocking.
That said, I guess we, as a generation, raised them to be money orientated monsters so we have to take some accountability

I take some solace in the fact that, in a few years time, the GenZ and GenAlpha mumsnetters will be complaining about their GenX and Milleniial parents.

I am also constantly disappointed that @MNHQ appear to tolerate this, among other ‘isms’ with little thought. Call someone a troll and you are out; insult their age, disability, colour, creed - have at it…

To read some of the replies on that thread you would think boomers got together and actively conspired to shaft later generations.

I'm Gen X married to a Boomer. We certainly don't expect our respective parents to rein in their spending for our sakes. A significant bonus of being childfree is simply not having to think about children's university expenses etc. It will be hard enough to retire at a reasonable age and with any kind of reasonable lifestyle as it is, without having to fund the lives of adult DC.

I'm a 52 year old singleton with no family. I've had a couple of friends who have tactlessly asked who will inherit my estate because I have no next of kin. I've told them that it'll mainly be spent on me, or my care, because I don't have anyone to care for me (not that I'd expect it). Anything left over will go to my godchildren and friend's kids, but that could be £50k or a fiver!

I hate those types of threads. I’ll usually read a page or two and then just exit because the vitriol, entitlement and tarbrushing is ridiculous.

My mum (boomer) had fuck all given to her during her life. She was shafted during her divorce and received no inheritance when her parents died. Not because they were shit, just the circumstances of their life (they never owned a home for starters). Her focus was on, and happiness came from, her kids.

Mum took out equity release a long time ago. We knew she was doing this and agreed with her. We wanted her to have funds to experience things that she’d never been able to do before due to, you know, putting us first all the time. We knew there’d probably be nothing left for us to inherit when she passed. But she’d given everything to us and she bloody deserved to enjoy a lump sum of money to do as she pleased with.

Every time I see shitty threads about boomers, inheritance, blah blah - I just ignore them. My brain cannot compute how shitty and entitled some people can be with regards to their own parents and anyone older than them when it comes to money. I’m just so glad that my mum got to take a few holidays that gave her great times and great memories - she bloody deserved it.

We are not owed anything in life as an adult. If you’ve had a good upbringing then count yourself lucky - you aren’t owed a huge inheritance as a bonus. If you get one, then you’re super fortunate.

As an aside, I wonder when Gen X will become the “go to” for moaning posts. It will be interesting to see how that plays out.

I find it sad reading those threads, that couples who have worked all their lives and perhaps spent 20 years or so bringing up children are then deemed selfish for wanting to spend their time and money going on holiday, go on cruises or not want to provide 3 days childcare (for example) and that their time and money must be used for the next generation.

I can't imagine begrudging or demonising parents for spending their money how they wish. I've been very fortunate to have had supportive parents who supported me through childhood etc and have been able to help out with weddings and house deposits and I appreciate not all parents can afford to do this. I really do feel now me and my siblings have grown up (and have been for many many years), that it is now my parents "time" to do as they wish.

I'm a grown adult in my 30s who earns my own money. I've never seen or thought of my parents money, savings or house as mine or my inheritance or something that I have any right or say over. If my parents wanted to blow the whole lot on cruises or foreign holidays than good for them, I'd rather they spent their money enjoying themselves than thinking they must keep some for my inheritance when they've sacrificed so much for me over the years.

I cant stand those threads either. Im Gen X married to a Boomer
My parents are Silent Generation (my dad died last October just gone) The vitriol towards older people on here is disgusting.