Better Together
Love is the answer, at least for most of the questions in my heart
Like why are we here? And where do we go?
And how come it’s so hard?
It’s not always easy and
Sometimes life can be deceiving
I’ll tell you one thing, it’s always better when we’re together”
Jack Johnson from “Better Together”`
A successful partnership between adult children and their aging parents requires a commitment by both generations to a long-term dialogue. As long as this intergenerational pairing can preserve open lines of communication and agree to a vetting ritual for disagreements that emphasizes compromise and gratitude. In my experience, this is the ideal position to manage the predictable challenges of aging.
Below is the last chapter of my video “Closing the Communication Gap With Our Aging Parents.” It is the most important 5-minute coaching moment of my career. In it, I describe the essential role that adult children play in helping their aging parents manage the final two developmental tasks of life. And finally, I lay out the two most important things that adult children can do right now to improve their partnership with their aging parents.
Becoming Better Partnerships With Our Aging Parents
Control Inventory
Make your list and give it to your aging parents. It signals that you’re aware of the most important venues where their battle for control is being waged and as their control facilitator, your job is to ensure their choices are heard and honored.
Give your aging parents a copy of the name and tagline of your new role.
Remember, one of the most roles have in the caregiver is being a Legacy Coach.
The communal scaffolding of the past is gone for good. The memories of people and events of a lifetime are clamoring to tell their story. Nothing you do for them will bring more joy and comfort to your grieving heart than recalling the stories you took the time to hear from your aging parents at the end of their lives.
This the generational changing of the guard
And this the handbook that will show how to do it…
