Getting elderly parents to understand the concept that they can ring your mobile

[Dallas]

Mine cant tell the difference between sending a text and an email, she is 59.

She went to capetown for 9 weeks a few years ago returned really upset because we hadnt spoken for the duration 'because it costs money' to call

now wont call me until I authorise it because I am 'so busy'


bless

[SueEllen]

You need to teach him while you are in his house how to do the teenage trick - the one they use not to spend any credit on their phones.

So you need to show him how to ring your mobile for exactly 2 rings and then hang up. Then show him the number on the mobile. Then get him to do it. (You may have to show him a few times and for a few sessions.)

[nomadd]

Getting major hassle with my old man with this. Hes 78 and lives alone. He gets on OK but is VERY VERY old-fashioned. Its a constant fight to get him to accept things which actuall make life easier for himself.

Can't you have him put down?

[Paddy]

My mum and dad never answer the phone; they’ve been dead for fifteen years.

[cailin maith]

I send a text to my Ma and at the end of it I say "don't text me back, cos it will cost you a fortune, I'll phone later" and she replies with "ok"

Parents!!

[xoggoth]

After speaking to my ancient father in law who used to be a radio operator on Halifax bombers during WW2 I am working on a text to Morse code conversion app.

[bless 'em all]

Only a slight tangent, promise ...

My mother-in-law has, on more than one occasion, brought her laptop with her on a visit so she can show my wife something she's seen on t'internet. She fails to understand the concept that t'internet isn't on her machine but 'out there'.

[socialworker]

I had someone tell me the other day that their mother wont use the stairlift because it uses too much electricity.

[Lockhouse]

OK here goes.....

My 87 year old Father-in-law lives in an annex on the side of our house. He has his own front door but he does need looking after, which mostly my wife takes care of. He's fit enough apart from some arthritis and he tends our largish garden but he has no short term memory and has to be told everything anew every morning when he comes in for a cup of tea at around 08:00. He also has a 14 year old border collie who is in the same state he is in. He also pops back at 12:00 and 15:00 and other times in between....you get the picture?

When my wife goes out, even for an hour, he's waiting for her all worried on the doorstep saying "I thought something had happened to you" when she'd told him three times exactly where she was going. It does try her patience somewhat but he's too independent to have someone else look after him. We're trying to make sure he takes his tablets and eats properly but he's more interested in the pheasant that sometimes eats the bird food. He was MD of a plc in his day so he's not stupid, just that he can't remember anything. He's not suffering from dementia either, so it's a tough one. He is reasonably happy though which is a bonus. He's "old school" so hates doctors and is as stubborn as hell (which is where my wife gets it from....).

Now our eldest daughter (26) has come back to live with us whilst she saves for her own place. She does the weekly shop for the FiL and also cleans the annex which takes some of the pressure off.

It's like living with a small child. We can't take any holiday, we had three days in France last week and all hell had broken loose by the time we got home as he's too wilful for our kids to manage and when he gets a bee in his bonnet it just goes on and on. We are truly "squeezed middles".

Don't get me wrong, I'm not having a moan. All things considered it could be a lot worse and you have to stand by your family.

[KentPhilip]

My mum will only ring my mobile form her mobile and my landline from her landline, she doesn't think they're cross compatible.

Are they really?

Now our eldest daughter (26)

Is she single?