Dealing with retiring parents
My dad is retiring next year, and he's been going on about it. I think that he's retiring a bit early and just really wants to get out, but at 40% of his salary, he's expecting me to do something, but I'm not sure what, and I'm kinda just... eh. Like, I understand I'm sure you guys understand. He gets pretty pissed too when I tell him that he's being a bit unreasonable in terms of wanting to retire early. Have you guys had any experience with that?
Both my father and my stepmother are going to retire in the next year or so. They are doing so at the expected age, though my father had me later in life, so I am only eighteen at the moment. Granted, I will soon be out of the house and going on to college, but I still worry about being a burden unto them; I applied for a campus job with my honors college acceptance forum, but, especially as I sent the form at the last second possible, that job is not guaranteed.
It may actually be a good thing that your father is retiring-- working for too long may permanently damage his mind and body in a way that would ruin the quality of his elderly life, especially if he works a job that is particularly stressful or is easily affected by stress.
Is their any skill that you have that may be marketable in any capacity? For example. if you understand the mechanics and grammar of English very well, you can proofread papers for highschool/college students, who are often willing to pay, and perhaps even for businesses and newspaper. Much of this can be done from the comfort of your own home, I believe. It may be of benefit for you to ask around (or, if communication is comfortable for you, ask your dad to ask around) and see what people need help with and are willing to pay for. There is a high probability that somebody will have a need that you can fill.
If you are affected in a way that prohibits you from earning any sort of income, you may be able to apply for disability, especially if their is no other form of income for the family.
In any instance, best of luck and well-being to you and your father.
OliveOilMom
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It's absolutely none of your business when he retires and to tell him you think he's being unreasonable to retire when he wants to and can is downright rude. I also wonder if the reason you don't want him to retire now is because he is expecting you to do something. He's raised you and doesn't owe you anything else, and he deserves to spend this time of his life the way he wants to if he can afford to.
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It kind of is if you live with someone, they decide to retire early without consulting you, while also expecting you to change your life - but without bothering to tell you what you're supposed to do.
My mother retired early, she would never have done so without discussing this with my father, with whom she lives. That kind of decision affects who you live with and are close to, it's only fair to discuss it, and most importantly how it will affect others, with the people directly affected by the change.
To the OP - why not ask your father what he expects from you?
OliveOilMom
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Joined: 11 Nov 2011
Age: 61
Gender: Female
Posts: 11,447
Location: About 50 miles past the middle of nowhere
It kind of is if you live with someone, they decide to retire early without consulting you, while also expecting you to change your life - but without bothering to tell you what you're supposed to do.
They don't have to consult you if you live in their house. I'm guessing that's the situation. The OP lives with his parents and his dad wants to retire early and didn't get his son's ok for it and now expects his son to kick in more money. Or maybe he could just move out of his parents house and then he wouldn't have to worry about it at all.
When someone lets you live with them as an adult in their house then they do not have to consult you in any way, shape or form about what financial or life decisions they make for themselves. They should let you know ahead of time so you can start planning, and that's what his dad did. It sounds to me like he's upset that he will be asked to do more now and he thinks it's unfair and that his dad, who obviously can afford to retire at this age, should keep working so that his son doesn't have to contribute more money.
As for expecting him to change his life, well was living with his parents ever a permanent solution for him? A time eventually comes when the child has got to leave the nest or if he can't for some reason then he has to grow up and realize that other people have rights to their own lives too.
My mother retired early, she would never have done so without discussing this with my father, with whom she lives. That kind of decision affects who you live with and are close to, it's only fair to discuss it, and most importantly how it will affect others, with the people directly affected by the change.
She discussed it with her husband, not her kids. If a parent wants the kids input that's one thing, but he's not required to ask for it because it's not up to them what he does once the kids are grown and able to work. In a marriage you are supposed to discuss major life decisions with your spouse because those directly effect both of you. This is the plan for their life together. Kids grow up and become responsible for themselves, or at least as much as they can be. The dad isn't required to sit down with his son and work out whether or not his son's wishes will allow him to retire early, when he can obviously afford it! The OP sounds extremely selfish by complaining that his father who has been supporting him is now wanting to quit working because he can. Does he just want to work his dad to death so he doesn't have to pay more? Selfish, selfish, selfish.
I think the dad should tell him to move out and then he would see what it's really like and why his dad wants to retire!
To the OP - why not ask your father what he expects from you?
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I'm giving it another shot. We will see.
My forum is still there and everyone is welcome to come join as well. There is a private women only subforum there if anyone is interested. Also, there is no CAPTCHA.

The link to the forum is http://www.rightplanet.proboards.com
goldfish21
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