I can’t bear the idea of spending time with my 69-year-old mother
DEAR DEIDRE: I feel like the worst person in the world for saying this but my mother has changed from a spritely 69-year-old into an infuriating, infirm, slow-moving woman who looks as if she’s 90.
I’m her daughter. I’m single and 40 and my mum is my best friend. We used to holiday, go shopping and do lots of things together.
Last year, she broke her ankle after slipping on some ice. It was horrid to see her in pain but it’s taken forever for her to recover and the doctors say that being overweight isn’t helping her.
Now she walks with a stick at a snail’s pace and I find it so frustrating to amble along beside her.
I couldn’t tell her how I’m feeling because I love her so much, but it’s putting me off spending time with her.
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DEIDRE SAYS: She may have lost a lot of confidence since her fall and may still be in some discomfort too.
Walking is good exercise at any speed but if she can walk quicker, it will be better for her general health and weight.
Talk to her about how she’s feeling and see whether a different type of walking aid would help – a rollator, for instance, would give her better stability.
If you’re finding it frustrating, it may help her if you do the shopping and then prepare yourself for a less-challenging walk with her in the park, where it’s less stressful for you both.
