chinaco
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2007
- Messages
- 5,072
I know the context of the conversation is more related to money. But... many of us are much more likely to need to help your parents or in-laws when their health fails and you consider taking them into your home and care for them.
Trust me, you might think the money is a big issue. But it pales in comparison to health. You might wish you were so lucky as to only get the request to pay up a few $k. If you are balking at that... then they are probably not likely to get much support when they face the end.
If your parents were good people (forget the money handling issue)... call them and tell them how important they are and how they helped you to be the person you are today. Someday soon they will be gone. All you will be left with are the feeling of guilt that you gave them a stern warning about how they spend their money.
I once criticized my parents about an aspect of how they raised me. It was a minor pissing point. I was wrong and I regret it to this day. Nothing like a well educated (successful) son throwing something in their face after the years spent caring for me as a child and building the character foundation (i.e., honest, hardworking, and principled) that made me what I am today.
Bottom line: If they need help and it is within your ability to help... you will do so. If they are in such dire straits that it would break you... the government will help (since it is usually the result of medical costs).
Trust me, you might think the money is a big issue. But it pales in comparison to health. You might wish you were so lucky as to only get the request to pay up a few $k. If you are balking at that... then they are probably not likely to get much support when they face the end.
If your parents were good people (forget the money handling issue)... call them and tell them how important they are and how they helped you to be the person you are today. Someday soon they will be gone. All you will be left with are the feeling of guilt that you gave them a stern warning about how they spend their money.
I once criticized my parents about an aspect of how they raised me. It was a minor pissing point. I was wrong and I regret it to this day. Nothing like a well educated (successful) son throwing something in their face after the years spent caring for me as a child and building the character foundation (i.e., honest, hardworking, and principled) that made me what I am today.
Bottom line: If they need help and it is within your ability to help... you will do so. If they are in such dire straits that it would break you... the government will help (since it is usually the result of medical costs).