OT - Approaching a sensitive subject (advice needed)

I'm wondering if you could go both days this weekend - the first by yourself and then take your Mom the next day for however long she lasts.  Sometime vendors have free passes to come the next day.

The expo is only Saturday and only for about 8 hours. I have a three hour window outside the kids activities where I can actually go.

 Ooooh. Can mom take over diva duty and give you some grown up time?

Maybe mom will do you a favor?

Actually, I like the divas to go with me. We go together every year. I'm one of those people who doesn't really enjoy being away from my children much!

I wish my mom could go comfortably. We are taking a week's vacation together in May and I'm really going to try for us to have some good time together. Our relationship is broken on many levels and I just sense that we don't have much time left together in this place. I don't want to waste more time going in the same circles we have been over the years.

 Rent a scooter maybe?

Nik,

I don't have any advice but I am in the same situation as you are.  I feel your pain. 

I kind of understand what you are feeling, as my Mom has MS.  She doesn't get around very well, is overweight and does not try to do better. You are just going to have to be blunt, but respectful. Tell her that this is going to be too much for her, but make other plans with her for something else.  My Mom was never an active person and now it is even worse.  It is ok for them to have pride, but stubborn is stubborn.  You just have to take a stand for yourself, but always do it respectfully.... Your children deserve to have you to themselves sometimes and to do things that are active.....  Hope this helped..  :)

Maybe the best way to a approach this is to approach it like it is totally about her.  So instead of it being you don't want her to go, you are actually concerned about her well being.  Explain to her that you worry about taking her out and her falling and hurt herself.  I had to take a similar approach with my mom (on a different issue, but still the same type cir****tance).  I just explained to her that I would not inable her to not take care of herself or put herself at risk anymore.  I love her to much to contribute.  Good luck!

Having aging parents is hard....espically when they are not ready to admit they are aging and haven't yet come to grips with it. 

I think having the conversation when its not tied to an immediate event will be the best thing.  Maybe when you are at the beach house when its a relaxing environment, you can have a "come to Jesus" meeting with her and she will be more receptive of what you have to say and will be willing to listen and take action.

I just feel like if you bring it up in relation to the event this weekend, she will be resentful and angry and feel like you don't want her around, which we both know is not the case.  Since this is last minute, unless you want to tell her a fib about it being "mommy and me" time, let her come but make sure she understands that you will be there for X amount of time and you will not be leaving early and stick to your guns. 

*hugs* I know this is a difficult situation to be in.