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Sixty is the new forty, so why do the same problems crop up. As I’ve gotten older, I notice that family disputes are never things of the past. Don’t get me wrong; I wouldn’t trade them for the world because it means my children love and support me and only want the best. While a healthy dose of tension blows the cobwebs away, I don’t think I’m alone when I say I don’t want to deal with it all the time. Unfortunately, growing older means people assume there’s not much between the ears until I remind them again! Family applies, so here are my tips on how to nip it in the bud.
Be Independent
From what I see, the arguments come from loved ones attempting to help. Yes, the assistance is sometimes needed and never taken for granted, but it can make people feel as if there is zero independence. I hate the idea of relying on my family twenty-four-hours-a-day, which is why I try to be as free and self-sufficient as possible. For example, if I need anything from the supermarket, I drive, order a cab, or hop on a bus and do it myself. The more I lean on others, the more we’ll be in each other’s company, and that’s when the small things escalate!
Split The Load
Okay, I’m not saying that everybody is full of life in their sixties, nor am I saying we pensioners won’t require more assistance in the future. However, getting it from one source – family – is bound to lead to tension since there is no respite. In my opinion, it’s healthier to split the responsibilities by opting for live in care services or enquiring about a home nurse. Then, the poor kids can lead a normal life without constantly having to worry about mother!
Talk About Money
Here we go. Money has to be the most controversial issue for the elderly. Take my advice – if you’ve got any, keep it buried! Jokes aside, it’s clear that loved ones don’t want us to fritter away our hard-earned resources, which is why they care so much. On the flip side, it’s my money, and I like the freedom to do with it what I please. Therefore, the only compromise I can see is speaking openly about the topic and discussing stuff such as wills and legal fees, and power of attorney. It’s better than wandering around with an elephant in the room!
Remember
I always remember that I am the proud Mum of two daughters and grandmother of four grandsons, which makes me very lucky. Sure, we have the occasional debate about stuff, and yes, it isn’t always light-hearted. Still, by remembering how fortunate I am to have a tight-knit family who loves the bones of me, I can let anything go. All I have to do is keep a healthy perspective, and the tension disappears almost instantly.
I hope my readers can do the same because, while family issues will never go away, they’re nothing major.
