I am a boomer (70) in Canada. I have a healthcare background and bought in to the fear at first. During the lockdown I did a deep dive into all things virus, vaccine, public health and the WHO. I learned how to read research papers with scepticism. I learned who to trust when I needed help understanding. I gathered a wide range o…
I am a boomer (70) in Canada. I have a healthcare background and bought in to the fear at first. During the lockdown I did a deep dive into all things virus, vaccine, public health and the WHO. I learned how to read research papers with scepticism. I learned who to trust when I needed help understanding. I gathered a wide range of opinions.
When the shots appeared. I was hesitant and decided to (mostly) stay home and be careful while I waited for more info. Needless to say, my trust did not improve.
I argued endlessly with my husband (also a retired healthcare professional) about all the questionable info we were being given via MSM, public health and gov't. (At one point, he blocked me from his email so I couldn't send him any info from outlier Drs./scientists, LOL. I just printed the articles and left them in his usual haunts around the house!) He went off and got two shots while I bit my tongue. By that time, I had won my case and he got no more.
We are now (mostly) on the same page and staying up to date on different aspects of the pandemic. In fact my husband just successfully completed a second year immunology course at our local college to update his ancient BSc. (This is a "hobby' that predates the pandemic.) He impressed the prof with his knowledge and they had lively, out-of-class email discussions during the course.
The sad part is that we are now completely estranged from our millennial son, his gen Z wife and their children. They are "true believers"; especially his wife. Our son got quite abusive with us. He called me an "idiot" and "embarrassing". He said if I really cared about his family, I would get vaccinated. He told us we were too old and gullible to navigate the internet. (He has no medical background.) He tried to "parent" us! (He has been a parent for 3 years and already he is an expert!!) He even contacted my husband's sister to express concern that he was dementing. Really?! In the meantime, he and his wife have had Covid at least 2 times. If my husband and I had it, we were asymptomatic.
We have 2 grandchildren born during the pandemic. I have seen the 3 year-old from a distance, before the vaxx roll-out. I have never seen the 9 month-old; just pictures. Now that has stopped out of neccessity. Our son and his wife got completely unreasonable. We had to set some boundaries. The lack of respect for our lifestyle and choices was too much. We have requested no contact for the forseeable future. I have no idea how to fix this going forward, but I do know it has to come from our son.
Anyway, thanks for listening. It helps to tell my story.
So sorry to hear this & I know it’s no real consolation but good for you for standing firm in your values & being true to yourself. What admirable qualities
So sorry for your loss. I had the same issue but the opposite. My mother would not see me or her only Granddaughter for two years because we "didn't care". I chose my daughter over my mother, a d after all that has come out, I'm glad I protected my girl. She let us visit her a few months ago, but I am still angry. She's my daughter's only grandparent. It has been amazing to see who bought in and who didn't. I have a friend I met when I was 6, thank God we are on the same page. I've seen other friendships end.
You are right, it has to come from your son. Stay open, it will all come to an end and they will have some weak excuse, how could he have k own? You will have to eat it, if you want to see your son and those kids.
I am a boomer (70) in Canada. I have a healthcare background and bought in to the fear at first. During the lockdown I did a deep dive into all things virus, vaccine, public health and the WHO. I learned how to read research papers with scepticism. I learned who to trust when I needed help understanding. I gathered a wide range of opinions.
When the shots appeared. I was hesitant and decided to (mostly) stay home and be careful while I waited for more info. Needless to say, my trust did not improve.
I argued endlessly with my husband (also a retired healthcare professional) about all the questionable info we were being given via MSM, public health and gov't. (At one point, he blocked me from his email so I couldn't send him any info from outlier Drs./scientists, LOL. I just printed the articles and left them in his usual haunts around the house!) He went off and got two shots while I bit my tongue. By that time, I had won my case and he got no more.
We are now (mostly) on the same page and staying up to date on different aspects of the pandemic. In fact my husband just successfully completed a second year immunology course at our local college to update his ancient BSc. (This is a "hobby' that predates the pandemic.) He impressed the prof with his knowledge and they had lively, out-of-class email discussions during the course.
The sad part is that we are now completely estranged from our millennial son, his gen Z wife and their children. They are "true believers"; especially his wife. Our son got quite abusive with us. He called me an "idiot" and "embarrassing". He said if I really cared about his family, I would get vaccinated. He told us we were too old and gullible to navigate the internet. (He has no medical background.) He tried to "parent" us! (He has been a parent for 3 years and already he is an expert!!) He even contacted my husband's sister to express concern that he was dementing. Really?! In the meantime, he and his wife have had Covid at least 2 times. If my husband and I had it, we were asymptomatic.
We have 2 grandchildren born during the pandemic. I have seen the 3 year-old from a distance, before the vaxx roll-out. I have never seen the 9 month-old; just pictures. Now that has stopped out of neccessity. Our son and his wife got completely unreasonable. We had to set some boundaries. The lack of respect for our lifestyle and choices was too much. We have requested no contact for the forseeable future. I have no idea how to fix this going forward, but I do know it has to come from our son.
Anyway, thanks for listening. It helps to tell my story.
So sorry to hear this & I know it’s no real consolation but good for you for standing firm in your values & being true to yourself. What admirable qualities
Gosh. So sorry. Just awful.
I don't know what I would do if my kid behaved that way.
I was disinvited to my nephews graduation, my sister in laws Thanksgiving get together and from my trade industry group board seat.
😔
S.
So sorry for your loss. I had the same issue but the opposite. My mother would not see me or her only Granddaughter for two years because we "didn't care". I chose my daughter over my mother, a d after all that has come out, I'm glad I protected my girl. She let us visit her a few months ago, but I am still angry. She's my daughter's only grandparent. It has been amazing to see who bought in and who didn't. I have a friend I met when I was 6, thank God we are on the same page. I've seen other friendships end.
You are right, it has to come from your son. Stay open, it will all come to an end and they will have some weak excuse, how could he have k own? You will have to eat it, if you want to see your son and those kids.