I’m after a bit of advice regarding my parents.
im an only child. They live in Europe (where they’re from after deciding to move back there 6 years ago). There’s no family around. They have no support network, friends etc…. Both early 80s and fiercely independent.
My mum is starting to show some early signs of dementia. She forget things. She is more anxious, doesn’t want to go out. Theres been a few falls over the winter too.
The problem is, our relationship is crap. My mum has always been emotionally immature, needing soothing over. My dad is very ‘dominant’. Think shouting, slamming doors etc… you can’t have a conversation with either of them.
In the last few years, I’ve worked with a very good therapist, put boundaries in place with them (that are often not respected). I’ve limited the time I’m spending with them. And realised I have cptsd from my childhood.
But how do I handle things with them? I know there’s no way I’ll go NC. Theyre fully alone bar me.
But their ‘usual’ behaviour has worsened, my mum in particular, which means I dint feel spending any time at all with them. Christmas with them has been a nightmare. And they can’t respect simple rules (like we dint talk About politics) even during a call.
Anyone has any advice or experience there?