I am going nuts but I don't want to be hurtful

POINTER94

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My dad retired about 10 years ago and he has taken up a variety of part time causes and charity work. I am thrilled and the community is a better place for his involvment. He is a very educated man and was a quiet, influence on my life by his actions not his words. He raised me more by example than by words. He wasn't a real chatty or open man. That is how I was raised.<br /><br />Since he has retired he has changed drastically. He has become someone who I really enjoy talking to and has good info for me except. He is either talking, whistling, or making noise constantly. I say something to my mom about shoes and he starts singing a song about shoes and thinks its somehow cute or funny. IT'S BABBLE. :confused: :confused: <br /><br />He now talks to me about trivial things and is repititive to the point of making me avoid him. Every time I see him he is like talking to my travel agent. And not just an overview, but down to the type of toilets and showers etc. I am in the process of getting married and probably will encounter a job change in the next 6-12 months, knowing specific campgrounds, and specific campsites are a little more info than I want. He took a trip to the "North Channel" about five years ago and goes for a week a year ever since. I have to endure a conversation about the place every and I mean every time I see him. (That means as many as 7-10 times a day.)<br /><br />As my job change may involve relocation to the Carolina's, I thought it would be good if I went to the North Channel with him in my boat. Share the experience before it becomes logistically impossible. Open the floodgates. I just got back from a visit with my new fiance where we told my parents of our intentions to marry. He spent 3-4 times as much time talking about the north channel then our wedding. And my parents really like her! I left with littery hundreds of pieces of literature about the north channel. 7-10 lbs of it. I am only going for a week. It is also my trip, not his.<br /><br />He also has a unique ability to belittle my accomplishments and talents. He teaches the advanced navigation course for the USCGA, so therefor my 30+ years of experience have no value. Unless something goes wrong, then I get a call and the responsiblity for the problems solution becomes mine. <br /><br />Ex. One day he was launching his 23 foot cabin cruiser and it slipped off the trailer onto the pavement. While everyone was pointing fingers, and trying to find a boom truck or crane, my brother backed up the trailer to the front of the boat, Pulled out the cable from the powerwinch, hooked it up, put the car in neutral and powered up the winch. Yep, the boat walked right up onto the trailer, end of problem. Little or no credit for this smart move was given.) <br /><br />I am good at what I do, work wise and boating wise. Unfortunately, those solutions are quickly forgotten, or I get the old "I'd of thought of that too".<br /><br />Another neat little quirk is that he listens to the oldies country station on the digital tv. He leaves it on all day. And loud. My mom is going nuts... It was the only station on the entire day and a half we were there. No news, sports, even weather. Patsy and Willy and the gang, all the time.<br /><br />On top of that, my fiance and I are going through the annulment process (catholic) partly to please them and make it square with the church for me. My fiance's father is a Luthern Minister and according to her religion (Luthern) she doesn't have to go through this. It is not easy and it stirrs up alot of emotional issues for her, but she is willing to go through it for me. We will have a private catholic ceremony with a catholic priest and a more public one afterwards done by her father. Dad said he won't attend her fathers service. Seems to have some catholic doctrine against attending. We are falling over ourselves to make this religiously perfect and I get the proclomation from on high he won't attend. :mad: :mad: <br /><br />I have always respected my parents but I am at my wits end. My marriage has become more about pleasing them then ourselves. I love this girl and I have asked 10X more of her than she has asked of me. I have to take a stand but I don't want to hurt my parents and I want to maintain a family relationship. But I am coming to the point where the price of keeping them happy will destoy my happiness.<br /><br />I want to show the proper respect and I don't want to disrespect my parents but things have to change. What am I to do???? :(
 

roscoe

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Oct 30, 2002
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Re: I am going nuts but I don't want to be hurtful

You are doomed.<br />Call off the wedding.<br />Move in with dad after mom throws him out for destroying your wedding plans.<br />And then become just like your father.<br />This is your fate.<br />Accept it.<br />Learn to like Patsy, especially "I Fall To Pieces"<br /><br />Where is "the north channel"?<br />Are we talkin the arctic circle?
 

Skinnywater

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Re: I am going nuts but I don't want to be hurtful

Or....<br />Quit trying to get approval from your dad.<br />Accept he's given you the best he's got. He might have to stay at home listening to oldies while your getting married.<br />It's time to give 10x more back to your future bride. <br /><br />Suggest to mom that dad needs an appointment for his personality change.<br /><br />roscoe, that was a 200 yard heartshot. Great work... ;)
 

Ross J

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Re: I am going nuts but I don't want to be hurtful

You describe an example of the older aldult going through the "Intregity vs dispair" phase of life. After a hard working life with a positive influence on others your father is now in a retirement situation whereby he could be feeling unwanted and alone. His method of coping with this is to become over inclusive of others affairs. Thus showing he can still pull his weight. <br />Ask him to help with arrangements and get him to build you guys something that you really need for the wedding. Involve him with the extended family and ask him to take a major part with the non-Catholic role (just see him jump into that one).<br />Write him a letter showing that he is a valuable guy, and point out that he is hurting you and your fiance by his actions. He;ll get the message if you write as he'll read and re-read it many times to get the point.<br />Your mother is a different matter however, she's most likely permitted him to walk all over her and this is the same situation. He will ride rough shod over anybody he feels to be either weak or not dead certain of their facts.Mum will need all of your support over the next few weeks.<br />Remember that he proberly has no idea that he's being a royal pain in the arse but let him know he is causing suffering in the family.<br />Has he attended a regular check up with his doctor lately, I wouldn't be surprised if his health may be a wee bit lower than it was a couple of years ago. It's worth checking, if you can get him to go.<br />Ross
 

rodbolt

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Sep 1, 2003
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Re: I am going nuts but I don't want to be hurtful

hello<br /> pointer94<br /> dude I feel for ya.<br /> my 71 year old father was diagnosed with mesothelioma last october and had a lung and some ribs removed in feb uary. since moving in with me and my son he has driven us all nuts. he does a lot of the same things you describe only with different titles. he babbles all day long and talks about bowl movements and gas and other things we really dont care about. I to am getting married soon. she is a catholic I am a babtist and she is from venezuela. so I know some of what your facing. no words of wisdom other than hang in there and fish when ya can. good luck and keep posting<br /> PS its a race to see what gets him first. me or mesothelioma :) :) :)
 

rolmops

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Feb 24, 2002
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Re: I am going nuts but I don't want to be hurtful

Sounds to me that your dad is getting awfully bored and is losing his self respect.He is trying to stay on top by pushing others down.This is a sad situation for him and you.
 

neumanns

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Re: I am going nuts but I don't want to be hurtful

Bear with him, He obviously raised you right (your reluctance to be hurtful)and be patient. It has just come full circle, I am certian he went trough many trials raising you.(Payback time) Hang in there and imagine the hole that would be left if he were not there to irriatate you. As for the fiance I'm sure she knows it's a package deal...If not, RUN
 

Skinnywater

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Re: I am going nuts but I don't want to be hurtful

Pointer, after consideration, what do you think you should do?
 

mellowyellow

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Re: I am going nuts but I don't want to be hurtful

great advice as usual here :) <br />sounds exactly like my granpa, god bless him!<br />I try to keep him busy with a project or 2 when<br />he visits and it makes a huge diff... otherwise<br />I would feel just like you after the 10th time<br />he told the same story in 3 days.<br />in my area there is a mentor program for new<br />biz. owners where retired people offer their<br />help/experience. with his academic background,<br />he should qualify for something like this in your<br />area. otherwise, invite people over who have not<br />heard his stories before :D <br />keep in mind, he felt this way about you when you<br />were 5yrs. old.<br />best wishes,<br />M.Y.
 

Ross J

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Re: I am going nuts but I don't want to be hurtful

I mentioned "Integrity vs dispair", earlier and would like to be more specific about this area of development for the older adult.<br /><br />Ego intregity is the coming togeather of all previous phases of the life cycle.<br />Having accomplished the earlier tasks, this person accepts his life as his own, and the only one for him.<br /><br />Without a sense of ego integrity he feels a sense of despair and self-disgust. Life has been too short, futile. He wants another chance to redo his life. If life has not been worth the struggle, death is fearsome. He becomes hypercritical of others and projects his own self-disgust, inadequacy, and anger onto others. <br />Enforced retirement becomes an enemy, productivity becomes the rescue, use his energy in a positive manner. Encourage him to partake in the celebrations. Ask him to be an important part of you and your wife to be's lives. You will share his enjoyment and his re-actualisation of life in the long run.<br />Ross
 
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Re: I am going nuts but I don't want to be hurtful

Originally posted by Skinnywater:<br /><br />roscoe, that was a 200 yard heartshot. Great work... ;)
200 yards???<br /><br />that was point blank with a sawed-off shotgun!<br /><br />Ross J = Good work, yes thats a very good call. But I Dont know if Erikson took into account diminishing capacity in regard to alzheimers and other age related demensia.(he babbles, becomes fixated with ritual, etc) Could be regression to square one, leaving him with issues in trust, autonomy and competence
 

roscoe

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Re: I am going nuts but I don't want to be hurtful

AH, the north channel.<br /><br />I was sure some of you would give Pointer some serious and useful insight and advice. Since I have already become my father(except for the alzheimers), I thought I'd invite him to join in the fun. Heck, he's in WI, he can take a little ribbing.
 

JB

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Re: I am going nuts but I don't want to be hurtful

As a patriarch of a four generation family, I can attest to the truth of what RossJ has to offer.<br /><br />Coming to understand that "patriarch" does not mean "boss", merely "elder", is a critical transition. Until it is made, peacefully, inner conflict and turmoil is as bad as adolescence.<br /><br />Your Dad is going through a painful period. He is wondering who he is and what his role is. . .he is likely to feel unrespected, even unloved.<br /><br />I don't have any answers as to how to deal with it, but you can do a lot worse than to treat it with compassion.<br /><br />Best of luck. :)
 

snapperbait

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Re: I am going nuts but I don't want to be hurtful

I'm in the same boat with my Pop.. I've seen for some time now that in later years Mom and I will both have our hands full staying after him..<br /><br /> He's in his mid 60's and he has'nt taken the best care of himself untill lately, and still i don't think he tells the Doc's everything... He'll probably never "get out of my hair" and actually completely retire... <br /><br />I work with him most every day in the shop and his actions are very similar to Pointers Pop... My Mom says the same things about him at home and thinks he is the way he is mostly because some minor health issues he has, which i fully understand... Hey, ya don't feel good, yer grouchy, ya know...<br /><br />It got to the point with him where I found a second job just so I could be out of the shop a few days a week... Said he could handle the shop w/o me, get outta here... Fine! Well, recently I got to feeling like kind of a rat fink about it, and after I'm away a from the shop a few days I can see that both my Dad and our buisness need my full attention...<br /><br />Hate to give up a job I like, but family first...<br /><br />This thread Helps... Thanks.. :)
 

Bondo

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Re: I am going nuts but I don't want to be hurtful

I'm Sorry, All I can say is,<br />I Miss My Mom,+ Dad.............
 

boatingfool

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Nov 30, 2002
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Re: I am going nuts but I don't want to be hurtful

He is retired, <br />What else is he suppose to do?? ;)
 

JoeW

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Nov 8, 2003
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Re: I am going nuts but I don't want to be hurtful

One of the difficult leasons that 20 years of marriage has taught me is that marriage truely is the beginning of a NEW family. "A man will leave his mother and a woman leaves her father." How ever you work this out with your father it is very important to your marriage that you set the record straigt with him from the beginning. As unfortunate as it may sound, sometimes you will have to choose, and the choice should be your wife.
 
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