Parents have lost the plot.

[swedishmum]

My parents are moving on Friday - we're partially funding their new house (though don't agree it's right for them). Mum is terminally ill - very ill right now and dad is only moving to keep her happy. She was hospitalised today - severely dehydrated and constipated - meanwhile dad turned up at our house having sent her off to a and e in the ambulance alone (no ward yet) so he could walk our dog! They are so strange and detached and through my upbringing, I'm like it with them. Lots of long boring stories. I'm an only child, 4 kids myself and dh abroad. Religion has always come above family for them in lots of ways and now I'm feeling guilty that I don't feel worse.

You know,you can't pick your family but they have such a huge impact on you even if you try to detach from them.
catholic are they? guilt plays a big part in that- I know i often say to my dh i think I was dropped into my family from another planet- as an only child you carry all the guilt but it's not your fault they are the way they are. they are adults and chose the way they live- you have your own family to focus on and at laest can try to not make the mistakes they made.
You won't change them now- just do the best by yourself.
families can drive you mad!!!!!!!

Not catholics but dad was a vicar and mum did a theology degree... When I was about 9 they'd leave me alone in the house on Christmas Day while they went off to do the rounds in the big Psychiatric hospital dad worked in. My personal favourite, the year they didn't put up decorations and we had lunch off plastic plates in the staff canteen because it was free! Then the time at 21 my mum found my pills and said she'd die of embarrassment and she'd disown me. I think she's alays been unhappy and I've always had the blame. Shocked to find myself so detached, and looking at the black wrap dress in Boden!

its got to be a strange thing in itself. walking the dog might be a coping mechanism the only think akin to normality. it must be very stressful for you all.

Feel like I'm in some very bizarre play!