Dilemmas about ageing parents and growing older

Your mother asks what you honestly think of her plan to sell the family home. You think it is a mistake.

Your father, past seventy, announces he is remarrying. The family has not warmed to her.

Your father's garden is getting too big for him. He asks you to back him up when your siblings push him to give it up.

Your mother, newly retired, announces she is applying to university. The savings will feel it.

You learn your mother quietly covers your brother's rent, and she asks you to leave it alone.

In the appointment, your father tells the doctor everything is fine. You are in the room, and it is not.

The family is planning a ninety-person hall for grandma's ninetieth. You know she would rather have tea with three people.

Your mother, seventy-five, asks you to set up her online dating profile.

Your father's pill organizer is a mess of skipped days. He waves it off at the table, in front of everyone.

Your mother lives alone and says she is fine.

Your siblings rarely visit Dad. You do, and only you get thanked.

At grandma's, your cousin's kids always get the big room and yours the sofa.