This is quite an interesting topic. As the "worried child", I can't believe some of the comments I am reading here. Really, lie to your kids about a start date for traveling?? Come on now. Christmas must have been fun at your house!
I really like the additude, "I'm gonna do what I want..damn the torpeados, full steam ahead"..sounds like us kids when we were smaller/teenagers. And YOU, as parents, had to figure out a way to stop us from hurting ourselves by providing guidance, encourgement or just plain saying NO. Or maybe, some of you didn't.
Either way, be grateful that your children ARE concerned about you. And as someone mentioned, what are their motives for being concerned! :) Most of us children that have a relationship with our parents aren't concerned with the stuff you can leave us ..have a yard sale next week of FIL stuff that no one wants..we would rather have time.
My wife and I asked her father to stop driving two years ago. No, I'm fine. I'm a good driver. Never had a wreck or ticket. Leave me alone. But we knew he was failing. We followed him when he would drive, watching him swerve in and out of his lane. Held our breath when he pulled out in front of cars and watched others almost wreck to avoid him. But he couldn't admit a problem. Are any of you "damn the torpeados.." in that catagory??
We finally took away the keys. It was not a pretty day. Had him watch video of his driving. To stand there and tell a WWII combat wounded vet that he could no longer drive was heartbreaking. Our position was we didn't want him to take mom or anyone else with him if HE chose to drive and got in an accident.
As your children we have, or should have been taught to have, a responsibility to take care of and look after you as you get older. Just as you had the responsibility to help us grow up and become responsible adults. My parents were never my friends. They still aren't today. Yes I can joke around with them a little more than I could as a child, but there are still lines that I cannot cross yet if I don't want to wake up in the middle of next week! :)
Driving is one of those lines and we don't cross that line very easily. If we are staring to have that talk with you, then maybe we HAVE seen something that should be addressed.
It's not your stuff that we are after, TIME is the enemy. If we can give you more time by asking you to think about the driving issue, then we've done our job. But don't lie to us...but be honest with yourself.
