Family Dilemma

[Aqua Letifer]

So today, in another corner of Happyland, I get a call from my mom.

My dad's balance has been way off, for quite a long time now (unknowenmost to me). They live in FL, and so it's taken them over a month for him to get into the Balance Center. He just got out, an hour early, so I have no idea what that means. Haven't heard yet.

Anyway, to get into the Balance Center, he had to stop taking all his other meds as of two days ago. So he's been awake for over two days, no naps or rest of any kind. In other words he's pretty fucked up.

He really and I mean really wants to see his grandkid for the holidays. So I parlayed with my mom, who was very understanding. I told her look, we have to keep it pretty damn safe because the grandkid is coming off COVID, as is my wife, and I have this whole other bullshit that's screwing up my lungs. And the world is blowing up with Omicron right now, so taking risks is a bad idea. We could meet up, but we'd have to isolate for the duration.

My mom was very understanding to her credit, but said she didn't think either of them would be okay with taking measures that are that hardcore.

I hate not seeing my folks for the holidays, but what can be done, y'know? I don't think I'm being ridiculous with what we suggested. Hell I even offered to just be there for two days so we don't put them out for very long. So I don't know what else we could do.

[Mik]

Your first responsibility is to your wife and child. Do not risk their health, yours, or your parents' to make anyone else transiently happy. Have a Zoom Christmas morning. You might even be able to coach them through putting it up on a big screen TV if they have a laptop with camera.

Want vs. need.

[Aqua Letifer]

@mik said in Family Dilemma:

Your first responsibility is to your wife and child. Do not risk their health, yours, or your parents' to make anyone else happy. Have a Zoom Christmas morning. You might even be able to coach them through putting it up on a big screen TV if they have a laptop with camera.

Want vs. need.

Yeah, good options, Mik.

It's just tough, and complicated. I feel terrible for my folks, but I can't help them out in any way. I can't even ask them how they're doing, because they don't want to hear from me. I don't mean that in a ha-ha sort of way, they literally ignore me when FaceTiming them. Me being sick I think was the first time they remembered I was still around. But they do love the crap out of their grandkid, and they're still my parents, so I try to get them to talk to her because I know it really helps them.

[Mik]

And that's great. It's also great that you love and accept your folks for who they are. My family wasn't Ozzie and Harriet either, but no one intended any harm, there was no meanness to it. I suspect yours is the same way.

But the happiness they seek is transitory and the consequences can be permanent.

[89th]

You're handling it right. Use tech for the actual holiday and then plan a longer trip in the spring when shit calms down. Also, tell them your old friend 89th is on the video chat and then BAM tell them you were kidding but now they have to talk.

[George K]

What Min and 89th said....

So sorry you're going thru all this shit.

[Renauda]

I too concur with the others. I can well understand the difficulty this infection brings for families.

[Aqua Letifer]

Thanks, everybody. Suffice to say I'm well over my head with everything going on.

Which, hooray, I get my adulting merit badge!

[Jolly]

Wait until that wonderful child of yours becomes a teenager. It's kinda like an advanced degree in adulting...