If you’re having a hard time getting your parents to listen to common sense regarding Coronavirus… You’re not alone!
It’s a tall order under normal circumstances to get these hard-headed bunch to do anything they don’t feel like doing… much less now!
This generation was built on extreme individualism and personal freedom.
And they‘ve been through everything…
Market meltdowns and recessions, job displacement because of technology, SARS, Swine Flu, Aids, immigration, and multiple Wars!
They’re healthier and therefore living longer… Good luck telling them what to do!
Yet many of them, LIKE MY MOTHER, continue to take unnecessary risks that could put them in danger of getting really sick and potentially dying before their time
Like I said… You’re not alone!
In my Mom’s case, despite repeated pleads… she refuses to stay home!
Here’s the thing…
She runs a Homecare company.
Where we’re constantly having to come in contact with personnel that visits people’s homes to care for them.
So she runs a higher than average risk of getting it…
She’s 75 years old, hard-headed, and totally devoted to her business, patients, and employees.
So how do I sell this real-risk package to her?
And my Dad as well… but if I get her to budge my dad will follow suit.
My default mode is to scare the crap out of them, stern tone, finger-pointing, and ultimatums!
This does not work with her… and I’ll bet it won’t work with your parents either.
I think we need to remain calm and steady and not make them think like we’re over-panicking like everyone else is.
Again there’s very little this pair hasn’t seen or gone through!
Remember, they don’t consider themselves to be in the “elder” category either…
Here are some strategies that may work.
Again, steady and calm. Don’t scare them or threaten them with standard scare tactics…
The reversal of parenting – where children advise their parents, it’s kind of a sticky situation.
The key here is to approach the topic as a conversation among adults, with mutual respect and love for each other.
And not let anxiety, mandates, and overwhelm be your guiding strategy.
“Mom, I really worry about you getting sick… and when I worry I’m useless. I’m sure there’s a lot of things you can do that are business-related, from home. Is this something you could maybe consider doing for the next few days?”
And just go from there… get small concessions and keep the conversation and the action moving in the right direction.
But keep the peace, no drama or theatrics.
If they don’t listen to you, rinse and repeat, and try a different version of the same strategy.
But keep it civil.
We’re all in this together, and we’ll get out of it together. As long as we take care of each other.
Every crisis as dark as it may seem brings about awareness and change in areas we never expected.
Coronavirus is no different.
Take care of yourself, your family, and your friends.
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