So all my work on my folks has been for naught. I went out to visit them today and they were like, "Nah, we don't need any help with cooking or shopping. But we could use help with keeping the house straightened up!" Note, please: they have a cleaner who comes every two weeks.

When I pointed out that hiring people to clean only works if you pick up your crap and keep the surfaces clear so the cleaners can clean, they just blinked at me. I suggested getting in a professional organizer to sort out their stuff and set up systems for them: no go.

Basically, my mother wants no changes and Dad isn't willing to fight with her about any of it. They completely missed FIVE appointments with their PCP this year and don't think there's anything wrong with their organizational system.

I give up. Nothing I can do is acceptable to them. The only thing they would accept is me moving in to run their lives for them.

I'm so fucking frustrated.

Consuela, I know this is insanely hard, but try to remember that it's not that you can't do things that are acceptable. They're making irrational decisions.

I'm so sorry, Consuela.

The only thing they would accept is me moving in to run their lives for them.

Probably not that either, if it came down to it. Sorry.

AUGH I can't watch. But I can't not watch.

Ugh, Consuela.

the hell

Well, shit.

So sorry, Consuela.

They're making irrational decisions.

Well, my mother is. Dad's just along for the ride.

Probably not that either, if it came down to it.

Hah. Mom would love this: it's not a strike against her independence if it's her own children doing for her. As it is, we cook, clean, do the dog's nails, change the sheets, do laundry, fix computer problems, throw away the rotted food in the fridge, etc etc etc. I will be doing Dad's taxes again next month as well, since last year he didn't save the entry and lost all his data anyway.