The joy of eccentric elderly parents and their routines.
Discussion
WinstonWolf said:
j4ckos mate said:
the fantastic flat shes in now, brand new build,
utterley incredible
doesnt like the wet room cos the fllor gets wet
shes put a sticker on the window, so that she can identify which is her flat from outside,
not been outside in 12 weeks, and its on the first floor anyway.
she thinks the doorbell is hard to see, so she put a sticker underneath it saying doorbell
note on the back door, saying she is old and cannot clean so take your shoes off,
Keep an eye on her, behaviour changes like that need keeping an eye on utterley incredible
doesnt like the wet room cos the fllor gets wet
shes put a sticker on the window, so that she can identify which is her flat from outside,
not been outside in 12 weeks, and its on the first floor anyway.
she thinks the doorbell is hard to see, so she put a sticker underneath it saying doorbell
note on the back door, saying she is old and cannot clean so take your shoes off,
it would be easier if it was,
j4ckos mate said:
WinstonWolf said:
j4ckos mate said:
the fantastic flat shes in now, brand new build,
utterley incredible
doesnt like the wet room cos the fllor gets wet
shes put a sticker on the window, so that she can identify which is her flat from outside,
not been outside in 12 weeks, and its on the first floor anyway.
she thinks the doorbell is hard to see, so she put a sticker underneath it saying doorbell
note on the back door, saying she is old and cannot clean so take your shoes off,
Keep an eye on her, behaviour changes like that need keeping an eye on utterley incredible
doesnt like the wet room cos the fllor gets wet
shes put a sticker on the window, so that she can identify which is her flat from outside,
not been outside in 12 weeks, and its on the first floor anyway.
she thinks the doorbell is hard to see, so she put a sticker underneath it saying doorbell
note on the back door, saying she is old and cannot clean so take your shoes off,
it would be easier if it was,
my father had the family home re-wired so everything could be turned off whilst away, but the freezer left running on just on socket.
utter madness.
couple of sockets are wired on a lamp circuit, because only lamps should be plugged into them.
every single door in the house was a 1/2 fireproof door, with 6 lever locks on them. so clearly even if you got in, you wouldn't get far
nothwithstanding that, on a holiday, he'd also take the handles and bars out of them.
utter madness.
couple of sockets are wired on a lamp circuit, because only lamps should be plugged into them.
every single door in the house was a 1/2 fireproof door, with 6 lever locks on them. so clearly even if you got in, you wouldn't get far
nothwithstanding that, on a holiday, he'd also take the handles and bars out of them.
shes 84,
im sure its a mental illness scenario, cant be anything else can it?
shes utterly sharp and bright, no signs of forgetting stuff, ive been trying to catch her out for years,
even as a kid she would make a mental note of what stuff cost when shopping, and i dont ever remember a case where she was wrong and the till was right,
if it was out, she would get it all checked again, until it was correct, even if it took half an hour, which it did
I found some old medical notes fro ten years ago, where she had googled the possible eye surgeons for her cataracts
and printed it off and made notes, despite never meeting most of them,
the eye op was done four months ago,
Rather than get it done she dodged and swerved it till she was going blind,
Utterly convinced for several months it hadnt worked the surgeon panicked and has made errors.
Its worked a treat, she wont admit it though,
ive even asked her in front of the surgeon does she feel its worked she still wont admit it,
feel sorry for him to be honest
im sure its a mental illness scenario, cant be anything else can it?
shes utterly sharp and bright, no signs of forgetting stuff, ive been trying to catch her out for years,
even as a kid she would make a mental note of what stuff cost when shopping, and i dont ever remember a case where she was wrong and the till was right,
if it was out, she would get it all checked again, until it was correct, even if it took half an hour, which it did
I found some old medical notes fro ten years ago, where she had googled the possible eye surgeons for her cataracts
and printed it off and made notes, despite never meeting most of them,
the eye op was done four months ago,
Rather than get it done she dodged and swerved it till she was going blind,
Utterly convinced for several months it hadnt worked the surgeon panicked and has made errors.
Its worked a treat, she wont admit it though,
ive even asked her in front of the surgeon does she feel its worked she still wont admit it,
feel sorry for him to be honest
j4ckos mate said:
shes 84,
im sure its a mental illness scenario, cant be anything else can it?
shes utterly sharp and bright, no signs of forgetting stuff, ive been trying to catch her out for years,
even as a kid she would make a mental note of what stuff cost when shopping, and i dont ever remember a case where she was wrong and the till was right,
if it was out, she would get it all checked again, until it was correct, even if it took half an hour, which it did
I found some old medical notes fro ten years ago, where she had googled the possible eye surgeons for her cataracts
and printed it off and made notes, despite never meeting most of them,
the eye op was done four months ago,
Rather than get it done she dodged and swerved it till she was going blind,
Utterly convinced for several months it hadnt worked the surgeon panicked and has made errors.
Its worked a treat, she wont admit it though,
ive even asked her in front of the surgeon does she feel its worked she still wont admit it,
feel sorry for him to be honest
84 is good im sure its a mental illness scenario, cant be anything else can it?
shes utterly sharp and bright, no signs of forgetting stuff, ive been trying to catch her out for years,
even as a kid she would make a mental note of what stuff cost when shopping, and i dont ever remember a case where she was wrong and the till was right,
if it was out, she would get it all checked again, until it was correct, even if it took half an hour, which it did
I found some old medical notes fro ten years ago, where she had googled the possible eye surgeons for her cataracts
and printed it off and made notes, despite never meeting most of them,
the eye op was done four months ago,
Rather than get it done she dodged and swerved it till she was going blind,
Utterly convinced for several months it hadnt worked the surgeon panicked and has made errors.
Its worked a treat, she wont admit it though,
ive even asked her in front of the surgeon does she feel its worked she still wont admit it,
feel sorry for him to be honest
She's sounds like she's getting a bit forgetful hence the notes. Just something to keep an eye on, sharp people are very good at hiding forgetfulness.
Fortunately my mum and my dad (when he was alive), don't/didn't have any odd routines or tendencies.
However my daughters FIL (in his 70's) dons his shirt and tie to go and get the paper, every morning at exactly the same time, he has set meals each day and has done for decades ie roast on Sunday, pie on Monday, fish on Friday etc and obviously has his favourite chair, as a snack he will eat raw potato; just grabbing one from the cupboard and eating it like you would an apple.
He also does a really random thing thing in the evening; he'll put his tracksuit bottoms on "to be comfortable", that's not weird I hear you cry; nope but it is when you put them on over your trousers!!
When my nan died, when clearing her house out, my mum found hundreds and hundreds of used carrier bags all in a cupboard, she also used to get up really early every morning and set breakfast, whether she was by herself or had people to stay, I remember when ever I stayed as a child I would get woken at 7:00 and have to come down for brekkie, with the toast in a toast rack and everything set out; FFS you don't work, what is the point in getting up so bloody early every morning!!
However my daughters FIL (in his 70's) dons his shirt and tie to go and get the paper, every morning at exactly the same time, he has set meals each day and has done for decades ie roast on Sunday, pie on Monday, fish on Friday etc and obviously has his favourite chair, as a snack he will eat raw potato; just grabbing one from the cupboard and eating it like you would an apple.
He also does a really random thing thing in the evening; he'll put his tracksuit bottoms on "to be comfortable", that's not weird I hear you cry; nope but it is when you put them on over your trousers!!
When my nan died, when clearing her house out, my mum found hundreds and hundreds of used carrier bags all in a cupboard, she also used to get up really early every morning and set breakfast, whether she was by herself or had people to stay, I remember when ever I stayed as a child I would get woken at 7:00 and have to come down for brekkie, with the toast in a toast rack and everything set out; FFS you don't work, what is the point in getting up so bloody early every morning!!
Shoukie said:
Every night without fail, both my parents drink a caffeinated coffee in bed. Apart from the caffeine aspect, they drink it after brushing their teeth. They've been doing this for 30+ years 
Mine are similar - a lovely cup of coffee with the ten o'clock news*, just what you need at that time of night. *BBC, not ITV, obviously
OldSkoolRS said:
WelshChris said:
Always turns the kettle/toaster off at the wall switch in case of fire - fridge/cooker/microwave are ignored.
My Dad used to do this, plus the TV and anything else that is plugged in apart from the fridge/freezer. It drove me crackers when he came to stay as I'd start the morning making a cold cup of coffee (having left the kitchen and assumed it had boiled in the meantime) or stabbing at the TV remote trying to turn it on. Mind you, he'd been a fireman, so I suppose that might have driven his behaviour.
Impossible to enjoy a relaxing family meal with my Dad, now 78.
The very moment he has finished (he always finishes first, if finishing your dinner first was an Olympic sport he'd be a gold medalist) he is up and away from the table to wash up. He then hovers by the kitchen door wanting to steal everyone's plates the very moment they have finished - most recently my wife popped the last morsel of her Sunday lunch in her mouth and the plate was whipped away before she'd even had time to put her cutlery down on it!
He never used to be like this, it's something that has come about in recent years. I've light-heartedly joked with him about it (in a subtle attempt to get him to stop doing it, so we can all relax a bit when visiting) but it falls on deaf ears. He says he just wants to get the chores done quickly - they've had a dishwasher for 30 years and he's long retired with no other interests putting demands on his time. It's got to the point that he and my mum recently went to stay with my brother's family, he was doing it there, in someone else's house .... mad!
I could possibly understand if this was something he'd done all his life but it's relatively recent, starting in the last 5 years. I've explained this to my wife and she's cool with it, but it doesn't make for relaxing meal times when we're trying to teach our toddler good table manners.
The very moment he has finished (he always finishes first, if finishing your dinner first was an Olympic sport he'd be a gold medalist) he is up and away from the table to wash up. He then hovers by the kitchen door wanting to steal everyone's plates the very moment they have finished - most recently my wife popped the last morsel of her Sunday lunch in her mouth and the plate was whipped away before she'd even had time to put her cutlery down on it!
He never used to be like this, it's something that has come about in recent years. I've light-heartedly joked with him about it (in a subtle attempt to get him to stop doing it, so we can all relax a bit when visiting) but it falls on deaf ears. He says he just wants to get the chores done quickly - they've had a dishwasher for 30 years and he's long retired with no other interests putting demands on his time. It's got to the point that he and my mum recently went to stay with my brother's family, he was doing it there, in someone else's house .... mad!
I could possibly understand if this was something he'd done all his life but it's relatively recent, starting in the last 5 years. I've explained this to my wife and she's cool with it, but it doesn't make for relaxing meal times when we're trying to teach our toddler good table manners.
Edited by PurpleTurtle on Thursday 27th September 13:46
Gargamel said:
Spumfry said:
Mine are similar - a lovely cup of coffee with the ten o'clock news*, just what you need at that time of night.
*BBC, not ITV, obviously
I do this. What's weird about that ? I like coffee and it doesn't keep me awake at all. *BBC, not ITV, obviously
I think it's because of his life in aviation, but my dad has a weird obsession with the weather.
When it's on the telly after the news he demands silence in the room so he can listen.
No matter how hard I've tried to show him, he still doesn't get the concept of being able to look it up online whenever you like.
When it's on the telly after the news he demands silence in the room so he can listen.
No matter how hard I've tried to show him, he still doesn't get the concept of being able to look it up online whenever you like.
ive literally got loads and loads,
theres so many i would loose track,
she cut the hedge right back the other year not in height in width,
just to spite the neighbor,
he wanted it higher but his garden is higher
only thing its achieved is exposing metal ironwork that my dad put in it years ago to stop the dog getting out and let the hedgehogs come and go,
i will save her crowning glory till later, the next one is special
theres so many i would loose track,
she cut the hedge right back the other year not in height in width,
just to spite the neighbor,
he wanted it higher but his garden is higher
only thing its achieved is exposing metal ironwork that my dad put in it years ago to stop the dog getting out and let the hedgehogs come and go,
i will save her crowning glory till later, the next one is special
j4ckos mate said:
I lost my dad four years ago, he was a top bloke dead down to earth, no mither.
Mum is as sharp as a tack,
physically things are giving up but mentally shes switched on, probably moreso than most people i know
Trouble is she has developed strange ways of doing things
examples include
wrapping clothes or anything up in clear plastic bags, with a note inside describing what they are and an elastic band round.
even to the point that the notes have a description of what they are made of and if they are winter or summer
a visiting cat scratching the wall, so she nails a matt to the wall, over the wallpaper to stop it,
the same cat will only eat a specific brand of cat food, as well the local birds with the fatballs, so we are off trundling the shops for particular brands
does anyone else s parents have odd behavior routines?
It's probably a counter reaction to millenials on the internet clogging up proper news with trivia. #loadofbMum is as sharp as a tack,
physically things are giving up but mentally shes switched on, probably moreso than most people i know
Trouble is she has developed strange ways of doing things
examples include
wrapping clothes or anything up in clear plastic bags, with a note inside describing what they are and an elastic band round.
even to the point that the notes have a description of what they are made of and if they are winter or summer
a visiting cat scratching the wall, so she nails a matt to the wall, over the wallpaper to stop it,
the same cat will only eat a specific brand of cat food, as well the local birds with the fatballs, so we are off trundling the shops for particular brands
does anyone else s parents have odd behavior routines?
ks Don't worry, she has just decided to get off the matrix and has left pointers for people who are not as clever when they decide to actually do anything.
Regards
Me ( aged 50 and likewise getting old)
PS You ought to have a mum brought up during WW2 and rationing like I did. Joints of meat in the freezer for more than 25 years? Not an issue ...
In defence of old people are they the sort of people to
1. watch st on youtube and subscribe to it?
2. Tell everyone on facebook when you are turning the oven on.
3. Post a picture of your new sofa on instagram
4. Argue about whether boiling mussels alive is ok but not lobsters with a person you do not know called Byron34
Kids are worse. I joked about the the Morcambe and Wise breakfast sketch the other day and she said
"Who are dem?"
So I replied.,
"You must st least know Eric, he lived in Harpenden"
"Which country is that in? "
Grrrr, I whipped her with a birch like Basil Fawtly did to his car bonnet....
So stop laughing at old folk .... you git who don't know you were born !
1. watch s
t on youtube and subscribe to it?2. Tell everyone on facebook when you are turning the oven on.
3. Post a picture of your new sofa on instagram
4. Argue about whether boiling mussels alive is ok but not lobsters with a person you do not know called Byron34
Kids are worse. I joked about the the Morcambe and Wise breakfast sketch the other day and she said
"Who are dem?"
So I replied.,
"You must st least know Eric, he lived in Harpenden"
"Which country is that in? "
Grrrr, I whipped her with a birch like Basil Fawtly did to his car bonnet....
So stop laughing at old folk .... you git who don't know you were born !
Inlaws both in their 80's and all of this is all very familiar.
Shopping has to be done twice a week, despite them having enough food to survive a dozen apocalyptic events and it just being the two of them.
Perfectly good glasses but still uses uses a magnifying glass to read the paper.
Apparently there is nothing wrong with FiL hearing despite the fact eveyone has to shout at him and the TV is at max volume at all times.
Reminders that it's a freezer, not a fking time machine.
Have a mobile phone, wont take it out with them in case they lose it.
Both of them are sharp as a razor, although he is starting to show very very early light signs of dementia.
We love them dearly but christ its hard work sometime
Shopping has to be done twice a week, despite them having enough food to survive a dozen apocalyptic events and it just being the two of them.
Perfectly good glasses but still uses uses a magnifying glass to read the paper.
Apparently there is nothing wrong with FiL hearing despite the fact eveyone has to shout at him and the TV is at max volume at all times.
Reminders that it's a freezer, not a f
king time machine.Have a mobile phone, wont take it out with them in case they lose it.
Both of them are sharp as a razor, although he is starting to show very very early light signs of dementia.
We love them dearly but christ its hard work sometime
My FIL is a lovely, lovely man who is completely laid back. We get on great.
He has no airs and graces at all and pretty much doesn't care about the small things in life, but he does keep an old-school paper diary in which he logs the weather each day.
Doesn't ever refer back to it, but religiously logs it each day.
They also still have newspapers delivered each day, despite being completely computer-literate and fully knowing today's news can be read online, rather than reading yesterday's news in a 'paper.
He has no airs and graces at all and pretty much doesn't care about the small things in life, but he does keep an old-school paper diary in which he logs the weather each day.
Doesn't ever refer back to it, but religiously logs it each day.
They also still have newspapers delivered each day, despite being completely computer-literate and fully knowing today's news can be read online, rather than reading yesterday's news in a 'paper.
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