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[quote=Anonymous]My parents, who are in their 70s, spend a lot of time reading ultra-right wing news. They've always been into this stuff, especially my father, but with the internet on hand, it's become worse. I don't enjoy speaking with them because they see the future with doom and gloom. When we talk on the phone or visit, they turn their attention to their grandchildren but other than that, they're all about right-wing news. I get it, people have their political beliefs but this is just unhealthy. If I weren't related to them, I'd run as far as I could the other way. Life is too short for this crap.

I have friends with elderly parents who are nothing like this, who look forward to seeing their parents because they are somewhat normal people with healthy hobbies and interests. Most of them can't grasp the idea that someone just doesn't like their parents as people and doesn't look forward to seeing them. I'm at the point where I just have to cut my conversations short with them because I have no desire to indulge them. It's out of bounds. Even if I ask them to stop and find something else to focus on, they just scream, "leftist liberal" or something else along those lines.

I want to have a good relationship with them for the sake of my kids because they're not bad people-- they're just old and bored and not sure what to do with themselves. I'd wish they'd move out of their house and actually retire somewhere beautiful and interesting-- they certainly have the money to do so. I think they may have chased away other friends who just don't have the time and energy for this nonsense. I can't blame them. This is all just unpleasant and at worst, toxic. I can imagine it will only get worse over the year as they hit their 80s. Again, for me, it's become a sad point of discussion, especially when I hear friends talk about their normal parents who seem to be doing ok in their retirements and don't behave this way. Is it just a sign of dementia? I don't know how to look forward to their visits with happiness anymore.

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