Ways my parent with dementia is like my teenager and sometimes my tween

[Anonymous]

1. They become irrational and yell like maniacs.

2. They have no common sense.

3. They struggle with mood regulation.

4. Everything is my fault, none of it is their fault.

5. I love them all very much and they break my heart.

6. They exhaust me

7. I worry about what the future holds.

8. I feel like I am always disappointing more than one of them.

9. They depend on me too much,

[Anonymous]

You are lucky, wait till they become 2 year olds, the worse than newborns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are lucky, wait till they become 2 year olds, the worse than newborns.

I assume you mean the parent with dementia right?

[Anonymous]

Big hugs, OP.

[Anonymous]

Damn, I need to apologize to my daughter now before the dementia hits! So sorry, OP!

[Anonymous]

God makes teenagers and old people mean because otherwise we wouldn't be able to let them go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:God makes teenagers and old people mean because otherwise we wouldn't be able to let them go.

Thanks for this! Right now, I’m dealing with a cranky teenager who doesn’t understand that he’s not old enough to do what he wants to do, and an octogenarian who doesn’t understand that he’s too old and feeble to do what he wants. Meanwhile, I’m dealing with my own perimenopause moodiness where everything and everyone makes me angry. Ugh!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:God makes teenagers and old people mean because otherwise we wouldn't be able to let them go.

I find this helpful too.

[Anonymous]

At least with teens there is hope it gets better in adulthood. With aging parents it is related to brain changes and sometimes disease. Maybe meds will help for a while or not. We are told to never accept abuse, even if it's not physical, but if your parent has scared off all supports, even hired supports, you don't want to abandon them. Somehow as they shoot verbal bullets at your heart, you have to find the right medication and help and hope they don't have the type of dementia where they can start becoming physically aggressive and hallucinating. You want to protect this person who is making your life hell and you cling to any good memories you had to keep you going.