What Are the Reasons Parents Don’t Stay with Their Children?

1)Parents are unwilling to relocate because they are used to village life.

2)Children worry their parents will interfere with their household if they live together.

These are among the most common reasons why the older generation doesn’t live with the younger one. But if these are the only obstacles, why not compromise? Why not work to remove them so both generations can coexist under one roof?

1) Parents unwilling to relocate due to attachment to village life?
Staying with your children in the city won’t kill you. But forcing your children to return to the village could severely limit their ability to earn a living and build a future. If that happens, you suffer, and so do your descendants. When weighing the risks and rewards, the choice is obvious. Don’t blame your children if you choose to be stubborn and selfish. Downgrading their lives for your personal comfort may come at the cost of future generations.

2) Children worried that parents will interfere in their household?
If your children are willing to take you in, respect their boundaries. Give them and their spouses space. The fear often stems from the many stories of parent-in-law conflicts. But if the older generation is willing to meet the younger generation halfway, the younger generation will likely do the same. Drop the attitude of “I’m the parent, so I’m always right.” If being right is more important than being close, then be prepared to cry yourself a river in your old age.

This post has been edited by nihility: Jun 17 2025, 09:49 AM