Cannot muster up interest or excitement in hearing about parents' luxurious trip

[Anonymous]

I think your real issue is that you are upset they don't spend more time/money helping you out, is that right?

My parents are retired and travel. I am SO happy to see them enjoying their time. They both grew up poor, worked hard, raised great kids (if I can say so myself, ahem) and deserve every vacation they want to take while they are still able. Every time another set of plane tickets to Europe is purchased my gut reaction is "awesome! have so much fun! send me pictures!".

I guess if I felt slighted by them, maybe I'd be less enthusiastic. But they were, and are, wonderful parents. I'd never begrudge them a fun trip.

[Anonymous]

I totally get it OP. My parents do the same thing. They invite us to dinner at their house, set up a slideshow on the tv and tell us every little detail. Of every single day. I'm happy to listen for 15-20 minutes, but enough already. We are family and I love them, but I think anything more than 20 minutes is excessive and frankly RUDE. It's inappropriate to wax on and on and on about your good fortune to anyone, family or not. Some details are ok, but there's a limit. Especially when the person you're addressing isn't able to afford what you did/bought/experienced. It's like the friends on Facebook with the excessive pics of the ins and outs of every day of their vacation.

OP, I'd be dreading it too. I like the idea of setting a time limit "I only have 15 minutes"... In my case, we bring our young kids to my parents post-trip dinners, and the kids need our attention/help/etc after about 15 min, so it's a natural break.

You're human OP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I totally get it OP. My parents do the same thing. They invite us to dinner at their house, set up a slideshow on the tv and tell us every little detail. Of every single day. I'm happy to listen for 15-20 minutes, but enough already. We are family and I love them, but I think anything more than 20 minutes is excessive and frankly RUDE. It's inappropriate to wax on and on and on about your good fortune to anyone, family or not. Some details are ok, but there's a limit. Especially when the person you're addressing isn't able to afford what you did/bought/experienced. It's like the friends on Facebook with the excessive pics of the ins and outs of every day of their vacation.

OP, I'd be dreading it too. I like the idea of setting a time limit "I only have 15 minutes"... In my case, we bring our young kids to my parents post-trip dinners, and the kids need our attention/help/etc after about 15 min, so it's a natural break.

You're human OP!

Really the sacrifices they made when they were raising you were not enough? They should be miserable because you don't make any money? It's dreadul of you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You resent your parents because you find your own everyday life hard to cope with? You think your mom should spend her time and resources raising your kids? She already did a poor job raising you, do you want your kids to resent you when you retire and take a vacation or spend money on yourself?

+1. Though I don't know if she did a poor job. Your parents were where you are now once upon a time. Why not enjoy the glimpse of your future fun rather than resenting it now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I totally get it OP. My parents do the same thing. They invite us to dinner at their house, set up a slideshow on the tv and tell us every little detail. Of every single day. I'm happy to listen for 15-20 minutes, but enough already. We are family and I love them, but I think anything more than 20 minutes is excessive and frankly RUDE. It's inappropriate to wax on and on and on about your good fortune to anyone, family or not. Some details are ok, but there's a limit. Especially when the person you're addressing isn't able to afford what you did/bought/experienced. It's like the friends on Facebook with the excessive pics of the ins and outs of every day of their vacation.

OP, I'd be dreading it too. I like the idea of setting a time limit "I only have 15 minutes"... In my case, we bring our young kids to my parents post-trip dinners, and the kids need our attention/help/etc after about 15 min, so it's a natural break.

You're human OP!

SO TELL THEM.

People are insufferable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just wasted 15 seconds of my life listening to you whine.

Yes, suck it up.

HA! +1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My parents just got back from a three-week trip to (leaving out details just in case). Meanwhile, my DH and I are in the weeds - have been for years -- with two young kids, two careers, a few SNs thrown in there with 1-2 of the kids, watching our pennies, etc. Nothing crazy, but you know, like how a lot of young busy families are around here. I am so exhausted I just feel like I can not muster up excitement to hear all that my mom will want to chatter on to me about with her trip. Do I just have to suck it up and do it anyway? Help?

are they white boomers?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My parents just got back from a three-week trip to (leaving out details just in case). Meanwhile, my DH and I are in the weeds - have been for years -- with two young kids, two careers, a few SNs thrown in there with 1-2 of the kids, watching our pennies, etc. Nothing crazy, but you know, like how a lot of young busy families are around here. I am so exhausted I just feel like I can not muster up excitement to hear all that my mom will want to chatter on to me about with her trip. Do I just have to suck it up and do it anyway? Help?

What are they supposed to do? Hide their happiness?

You and DH are adults. Do you think that they are supposed to spend their money on you?

WTH?

[Anonymous]

Wow, OP. DH and I are busy, tired, and certainly not overflowing with cash. My parents are retired and happy, in a beautiful house. They both worked their asses off to get there, and I'm glad now they have time to travel and relax and enjoy their hobbies.

They don't owe you anything. You'll be there someday. Don't be a jealous person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just wasted 15 seconds of my life listening to you whine.

Yes, suck it up.

Oh my. Not expecting that right out of the barrel

[Anonymous]

God I hope my kids don't turn out like you, OP. But I hope yours do, so you get a taste of your own medicine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My parents just got back from a three-week trip to (leaving out details just in case). Meanwhile, my DH and I are in the weeds - have been for years -- with two young kids, two careers, a few SNs thrown in there with 1-2 of the kids, watching our pennies, etc. Nothing crazy, but you know, like how a lot of young busy families are around here. I am so exhausted I just feel like I can not muster up excitement to hear all that my mom will want to chatter on to me about with her trip. Do I just have to suck it up and do it anyway? Help?

are they white boomers?

Yes.

[Anonymous]

Be grateful that you are not funding your parents' trip. And that they are still in good shape to travel for 3 weeks and still be excited to tell you. Really, be happy for them.

Time might be tough for you but learn from them. How? Ask them how they can afford to go on such a long trip because you want that for yourself one day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just wasted 15 seconds of my life listening to you whine.

Yes, suck it up.

HA! +1

x2

[Anonymous]

I get you OP.

My parents retired relatively early (mom was 63, Dad was 65) shortly after my Dad's parents died and left him a substantial inheritance. Since then, they have been spending money like there is no tomorrow.
Two brand new luxury cars
Completely renovating there house
Multiple international trips each year, plus other small ones (They are currently on a six week trip to Australia/New Zealand, were in Italy in September, went to the UK in June, and went on a month long cruise around the tip of South America in January/February 2015)

It is frustrating when they start complaining about how "tight" money is for them.