Elderly parents are immersed in gardening. It’s not just my own parents; it’s a common interest among the elderly. Why are they so diligent in taking care of plants?
As people age, their cognitive functions gradually decline, and it becomes difficult for them to find joy in complex activities. Taking care of plants is relatively simple; all they need to do is water and fertilize them daily, making it suitable for older individuals. Watching the plants grow also brings joy to the elderly, so they invest more enthusiasm in gardening.
It’s not just the elderly who enjoy interacting with plants; whether it’s working adults or children, everyone feels the same. However, retired elderly individuals spend a great deal of time caring for and observing plants.
Read about “Benefits of gardening for older people“
Furthermore, when young people see plants, their main impressions are of their beauty and cuteness, while the elderly see the growth and gradual withering of plants, connecting it to their own lives. Because the elderly have accumulated various life experiences, they have a deeper appreciation for the charm of plants.
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Plants may not speak, but if you take good care of them, they will definitely respond and be lovable. Perhaps this is different from children who rebel.
As people grow old, their interests change from what they had before, and gardening is a gentle activity for the elderly.
Bringing Up Old Issues During Conversations
Parents often bring up the past in casual conversations and criticize our faults. Why do they bring up old issues?
If you just think about it, you will realize that the old issues parents bring up are usually unresolved or things they cannot accept. The complaints from the elderly revolve around decisions that prioritize their children in the end, or compromises made for the sake of their children.
In addition, having their adult children hold decision-making power at home may make it difficult for parents to adapt. When parents were still in the workforce, they made decisions regarding various matters in the household. However, the power dynamic has reversed, and they now have to follow the instructions of their children, which goes against their own will. Over time, this accumulates a lot of dissatisfaction.
A person doesn’t easily give up the identity they once had, and it’s difficult for parents to immediately let go of the authority they used to possess.
Complaining about past issues may be a subtle resistance to the generational transition. At times like this, we should try to understand the feelings of our parents.
Making decisions solely by children denies the parents’ standpoint. Sometimes, compromise and concession should come from the parents.
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Speaking of which, my parents have given me plenty of headaches:
They constantly tell lame jokes and claim things are stolen when they can’t find them. They bring up old issues every time we chat. Whenever I give them a phone, they never take it outside. They refuse to use a cane or hearing aids.
Despite their age, they still ride motorcycles and bicycles. They have countless rules, and if I offer them advice, they become furious. I’m exhausted from cooking, but they bluntly say it’s tasteless, completely disregarding my efforts. When I’m bored at home and ask them to go out, they refuse… How can we communicate better?
At times like this, we can’t help but wonder why our parents always cause us trouble. We increasingly find it difficult to understand what they truly want.
Take a moment now to look at your parents and think about them. You will suddenly realize that the parents you thought would never age have grown so old overnight.
