I'm leaving town! (well no, not me)
By Amber
@AmbiePam (85584)
United States
March 14, 2013 3:57pm CST
In the past I never concerned myself where my parents were all the time. They lived their lives, and I lived mine. But with my mom's health and the pressure on my dad, I like to know what's going on with them most of the time. I imagine parents, do you feel that way with your children? You need to know where they are, and what they are doing? Maybe some children feel that way about their elderly parents?
My parents aren't elderly (dad is 57, mom is 53), but with my mom's dementia, I want to make sure they have what they need, and they are being taken care of. I called my dad the other day on his cell phone.
The conversation began, "Hi, Dad. What are you doing?"
Dad: "Talking to your Nana."
Me: "Oh. You're in Tulsa?" (Tulsa is 2 1/2 hrs. away from where we live.)
Dad: "Yep."
Me: "When are you coming back?"
Dad: "Probably tomorrow."
Me: "Uh, when were you going to tell me?"
Dad: "I didn't know I needed to."
It just made me laugh. Of course he doesn't need to run his plans by me. He's a grown man. But with being so involved in my mom's care, I kind of thought he'd at least let me know when he left town! 
*I'm including a picture of what my dad saw the last time he went out of town with my mother.
*I'm including a picture of what my dad saw the last time he went out of town with my mother.1 person likes this
10 responses
@Fishmomma (11377)
• United States
15 Mar 13
I don't consider your parents elderly, as their ages aren't old. Its always a good idea to inform somebody when your going out of town no matter how old your now. I do inform my daughter, so that she can make sure everything is alright at the house while we are gone. We have a fish pond and the "young kids" like to eat. Also think its always a good idea to make sure nothing is left on the driveway for days, as they deliver the local paper free to all of the houses in the neighborhood.
1 person likes this
@Fishmomma (11377)
• United States
16 Mar 13
I can understand that your mad at a couple people. Personally, I think your Dad should have told somebody they were going out of town to watch their home and he may have I don't know from your article. I know you have helped with your Mom's care, so you felt it should have been you.
I think this is one article I should have avoided, as to me your parents are young and this is the time they should be traveling and enjoying life seeing places. I know that isn't easy for them. I'm sad that your Mom is going through this now and you and your Dad have to watch her deal with this every day.
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
14 Mar 13
Yes it would have been nice to let you know.. not just because of your mom but because what if you decided to stop by and they weren't there? You would have ended up worried.
1 person likes this
@manleyjoe (1597)
• United States
16 Mar 13
You "drop by" unannounced, I'd get caught without clothes as I do my house cleaning in the buff.
1 person likes this
@manleyjoe (1597)
• United States
16 Mar 13
I'll bet he just forgot, I like to know when my ken leave town not because I am going to drop in but in case I have to get hold of them. It's not much of a deal anymore as they all have cell phones and all. I like to know not because I am noisy but like last weekend I was at work and Sara needed to go to ER and it was nice to know that the grandson was in town and could take her until I could find replacement to work for me.
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
16 Mar 13
Yeah, I would let my parents know if I was going out of town too. I would not want them to worry and I know they would let me know for the same reason. =) But it was kind of funny what your father said, sounds like something my dad would say too! Lol.
1 person likes this
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
14 Mar 13
I'm answering from my email so I won't see the pic until after I comment. I had elderly parents. We lived together much of the time, especially when they got sick. I was concerned about them too. They usually kept me in the loop because we lived together. I also kept them in the loop of where I was in case they needed me when I was out.
1 person likes this
@RitterSport (2451)
• Lippstadt, Germany
23 Mar 13
ooopsssss dear Ambie I also thought your dad would tell you when he goes out of town cause I wonder who took care of your mom when he wasnt there. I know she is in daycare but what happened at home? She sure cant stay on her own now.
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
15 Mar 13
was always like that with my kids if they lived somewhere else than where I lived I still like to know what youngest son is doing as he is 1800 miles away
But he dont keep in touch to much unless something wrong here or there and I worry if he dont return a phone call that I left a message too
1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
14 Mar 13
Wow, Amyra has grown and she is so adorable, I just want to squeeze her..
I think your concern for you parents just means you are a very caring daughter and I hope that when I am older, that at least one out of four of my children is just as caring..
I think your concern for you parents just means you are a very caring daughter and I hope that when I am older, that at least one out of four of my children is just as caring..
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
14 Mar 13
She is such a cutie and I love her. It must be wonderful to give her a hug. I can understand your need to know where they are and this is because of your mother and her dementia. They are certainly not elderly and it is a trial for your father to go through what is happening to your Mom. He must be the best mnan ever. Yes, he is a grown man but yes again, he does need to check in so that you are reassured thatall is well
1 person likes this
• India
15 Mar 13
well it looks like you care about your mother so why you just go back to your's dad home and start living with them for some time only and when your mother will ok then you can come back.
