aökldsjf PARENTS.

[cimorene]

Despite past occasions like the NIGHTMARE ROADTRIP FROM HELL TO TEXAS 2004, and the four or five tickets my mom got in 2003 due to falling asleep during the 3.5 hour drive to and from Atlanta, and the fact that she has narcolepsy (aka: falling asleep without warning!), my dad clearly thinks I'm just being a busybody because I keep trying to discourage them from taking long roadtrips anymore. My mother has always been a poor driver, but her narcolepsy has been getting immeasurably worse in recent years, and before 2003 my dad did over 90% of the driving. Since cuddlepint is 15 and has only had her learner's permit for less than six months, I don't think she is up to doing that.

Now they're planning a roadtrip from Alabama to New Mexico; Daddy estimates this at 17 hours' driving (not counting, that is, any stops whatsoever), but which I think may be an underestimate.


And he thinks they can do it in two days, and assures me that they have hotel reservations and will stop plenty for Mom to nap. And Lilly can drive! (That's my sister, not the cat - the cat has only 2 L's.)

Why are parents stupid? And why won't they believe you when you try to protect them from their own folly??? *tears hair*

If I could split myself into pieces like Patrick does to sing harmony with himself ♥♥♥! I would send Me #2 home promptly to be their housekeeper/chauffeur/secretary. Sometimes thinking of them managing without me makes me cringe. I know they're adults who have always stumbled along more or less okay without me, but then things happen like the Vacation From Hell last summer and Crack Care Packages, and I'm just like, for the love of tiny little green boxes, how are they even still alive?

Comments

[isilya]

AHAHAHAHA, oh god, your parents. I know exactly how you feel because my parents will take a certain amount of my bossiness and then will rebel like sullen teenagers: "but I went to the dentist last year" and "I don't want a new suitcase" and I just feel like saying "ARRRRRGH. DO IT BECAUSE I SAID SO." Clearly, you and I have more common sense in the tips of our little fingers than our parents.

I just get so insanely frustrated, because, yes, they are the parents but they are useless as little babies in most circumstances! My mum lets tradespeople bully her, my dad is too self-effacing and too honourable to drive a bargain, and they always, always, leave vital tasks and paperwork until it is too late.

They are going to Europe in ten days and I have been having stress dreams about this trip for the past year.

[cimness.livejournal.com]

At least your parents won't take DEATH-DEFYING RISKS against your better advice (as far as I know). My dad was RIGHT THERE IN THE CAR, watching and cringing and having panic attacks right along with me, as my mom swerved right off the road and into the oncoming traffic lane and fell asleep and took her foot off the accelerator, repeatedly, for TWO WHOLE DAYS OF DRIVING. Coffee availed nothing! Naps did not help! Now he's just like "Oh wellz, LOL." WHAT. NO. NOT LOL. DO NOT LET HER DRIVE! How hard is this?