TNG - when it's time to let go -- that's the hard part. What's your relationship with your parents like? I'm a boomer, 3rd child of five kids born post-war 1949-1960. My father was an injured vet who nonethelss wanted to make his impact on the world. After a heroic life, he died at age 43 of complications arising from war-related injuries. I wish we could know each other - both as adults. I wish I could have seen my father and my mother grow old together. That would have been amazing. But way leads on to way. Maybe they are growing old together in another universe. flagamuffin makes an interesting point below about technology and the generations. My guess, though, is that parents who were supportive, loving, accepting, and appreciative of their kids probably have kids who are supportive, loving, accepting, and appreciative of them. My mom is about to turn 86. We've had some rough spots, but worked them out. I appreciate her every day. She refuses to engage with most technology. It makes my life a little harder because other relatives are always emailing me messages for her. Here's what she says, "I passed the liquor store today and I thought to myself, 'I'm so glad I don't have to go in there, because I don't drink.' I feel the same way about computers."
I don't think she's crazy and out of touch. She's just living her life. My daughter is 28. We've had our rough spots. I suspect we'll work them out. I hope so.
My relationship with my parents is good. I am very close with my father. I worry about my mother though, particularly her health. She is not an active person, she just sits around watching TV and being on Facebook. If we are sticking with the "liquor store analogy", I'd say she has a drinking problem. My parents are young and as such, they hadn't a clue about how to raise me. All said, they did a fine job. That said, now that I'm a father I am noticing the deficiencies in my upbringing. Particularly as they relate to learning/educaction I coulda been somebody, I coulda been a contender