[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by DonnaNi4os

I have a grandchild in Heaven. I understand from your message that your children have passed. My deepest sympathies to you. It isn’t the way it is supposed to be.

Thank you. Maybe not the way it is supposed to be, but it is what it is. Everybody gets a seat at the table, But, not everybody is delt the same hand.

[Decadeofdave]

We don't have grandkids, just smile and listen. Part of life.

[paqdkq]

Abby. You apparently don’t have grandkids

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by kyralud

I completely agree with Two Bills… I totally would rather hear about and see pictures of grandchildren than discuss medical ailments, politics, poor golf cart drivers, barking dogs, bad neighbors and other issues that seem to occupy some Villagers time.
The future is in these children and they need all the love and support from family and strangers that they can get. If you don’t want to hear about children , walk away. I feel sad that this is a complaint you have. Grandparents should be an integral part of a child’s life if at all possible. Everyone benefits. Plus grandparents that are part of their grandchildren’s lives live a happier and longer life.
Show me all the pictures of your sweet grandkids you want. I’d love to hear about them!

While that may all be true, it doesn't paint the complete picture. All members of the family are important within the family. But, not everyone you meet is part of the family. They have families of their own, or not, and may not (big surprise here) be particularly interested in yours.
By all means you should enjoy and participate with your family.
Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year, to you and yours.

[Velvet]

Originally Posted by dhdallas

It may be that your upbringing was not the same as these family centered people's experiences and that can make it annoying to hear their latest family news. A secret envy of another's closeness with their family may also factor into it. And if a person is childless, it can hurt to hear stories of another's joy they experience having children and grandchildren.
Family oriented people have the utmost respect and unconditional love for their families, and it shows. This is one of those signs you can't deny when you find yourself in the presence of a family oriented individual.
When one of the family members accomplishes something (no matter how big or small), they'll be glowing with pride (like that achievement is yours) and love to share their joy & excitement. These families thrive on emotional connection and understanding. They’re fully engaged with their children and grandchildren and are there for the small moments. Children know they can count on a parent or grandparent to notice the little wins, like learning to ride a bicycle or tying shoelaces correctly.
Distance can be hard when family members are separated due to their occupation, retirement, etc. Talking to others about their children or grandchildren's latest achievements or antics help miss them a little bit less. Now with technology advances, families can have video chats as often as they like.
So, that is my take on those who are proud of their family and want to share. If you want any of these people for friends just grin & bear it & try to see it from their point.

Sorry, I see it more as ME, ME, ME! MINE, My DNA. Admire me!

Again, if you know the family members yourself, or you are close to your friend and delight in their joy, that is completely different from the circumstances that people are complaining about here. Can’t you see that too much pride can be an ugly thing?

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by AbbyPye

Since my partner Pat and I settled within The Villages, we have been embracing what this community has to offer from its activities to the people that live here. And although we are ever so pleased to mingle with others that we meet day in and day out, we noticed a common thread when others speak to us that still remains since we first came out here some two year before.

When we meet others that are coupled, many (not all) of these married folks tend to tell us (whenever we ask about or not with the emphasis on the latter) about their adult kids with a deep notion about their grandkids! They mention what their kids and their partners/spouses are involved with, and give that heavy emphasis on their grandkids, either with them having them visit from up north/back east, or heading up north/back east to visit them.

When we first mentioned this issue in this forum some time ago, we thought that hearing about their antics would eventually come to pass. What occurred was the total opposite, especially when a major holiday is coming in the near future! Although we do respect that these couples are indeed proud of these grandkids that are part of their life as well as keeping the family legacy alive and well, this notion of hearing this unsolicited news is getting rather long in the tooth!

Has anyone ever experienced a situation that was explained within this post? That is, does anyone encounter those that are coupled up that constantly dote on their grandkids, even though they may reside a long distance away?

Please let me know so I won’t think that I am just dreaming up this scenario!

Many thanks!

It is too easy for someone to be offended if you start a serious conversation. So people "bite their tongues" and keep their conversational subjects as light as possible.

[Deden]

stop complaining

[macawlaw]

Two observations. First, most people talk about what they know. While we have owned our home here for almost four years, DH and I retired 8 days ago. This is our first extended time here.

My limited experience is that 75% of the women I have met have not worked outside of the home. Their children and their grandchildren have been their lives. That is what they know and talk about.

I love to talk about my children and when asked about them, I do. Depending on my relationship with the other person determines how much information they get.

Second, most of my interactions have been fairly superficial. As most people our age have children/grand children, it’s an easy conversation starter since it is usually a commonality.

[Michael 61]

Originally Posted by macawlaw

Two observations. First, most people talk about what they know. While we have owned our home here for almost four years, DH and I retired 8 days ago. This is our first extended time here.

My limited experience is that 75% of the women I have met have not worked outside of the home. Their children and their grandchildren have been their lives. That is what they know and talk about.

I love to talk about my children and when asked about them, I do. Depending on my relationship with the other person determines how much information they get.

Second, most of my interactions have been fairly superficial. As most people our age have children/grand children, it’s an easy conversation starter since it is usually a commonality.

Just 8 Days! Congratulations on your retirement! And welcome to your first “extended “ time here in The Villages - I hope you will be able to more fully immerse yourself in all that The Villages has to offer!

Retirement is the best!

[rustyp]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

Just 8 Days! Congratulations on your retirement! And welcome to your first “extended “ time here in The Villages - I hope you will be able to more fully immerse yourself in all that The Villages has to offer!

Retirement is the best!

And don't forget the many activities scheduled for the grandchildren at Camp Villages Dec 27 and 28.

[Velvet]

Originally Posted by macawlaw

Two observations. First, most people talk about what they know. While we have owned our home here for almost four years, DH and I retired 8 days ago. This is our first extended time here.

My limited experience is that 75% of the women I have met have not worked outside of the home. Their children and their grandchildren have been their lives. That is what they know and talk about.

I love to talk about my children and when asked about them, I do. Depending on my relationship with the other person determines how much information they get.

Second, most of my interactions have been fairly superficial. As most people our age have children/grand children, it’s an easy conversation starter since it is usually a commonality.

Makes sense, but where are you? On my street there is not one stay-at-home mom. There is a very successful Wall St banker, she started out with humble origins, a lady who ran a very profitable caregiving business, two teachers, a marine, a rental business owner, 2RNs, one social worker etc etc. Their husbands all worked too before retirement. They have for the most part large extended families. I can hear the lady (RN) behind my house giggling with delight because her family has come to visit. My other neighbor’s grand kids are under 5 and are playing ball on my back lawn. Their grandmother was also a career woman. Nothing wrong with staying at home, only I don’t know anyone who did.

Oh, our interactions are definitely not superficial those kids on the lawn they are playing with the ball I got them.

[VApeople]

I was raised in Fort Myers and started at Univ. of Florida in 1963.

My friend from St, Petersburg said that every time he went downtown some old person wanted to show him pictures of their grand-children.

So this problem has been around for a long time.

[Escape Artist]

This is kind of a silly topic especially during the holidays. I also doubt the veracity of the OP’s claims as I never experienced it nor has anyone else I know. Either they are constantly encountering bizarre, oversharing residents or they are exaggerating just to start (yet another) controversial thread about an otherwise mundane subject.

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by Deden

stop complaining

Where is the fun in that?

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by Escape Artist

This is kind of a silly topic especially during the holidays. I also doubt the veracity of the OP’s claims as I never experienced it nor has anyone else I know. Either they are constantly encountering bizarre, oversharing residents or they are exaggerating just to start (yet another) controversial thread about an otherwise mundane subject.

Consider yourself lucky. I, for one, completely understand OP's , dare I call it a "rant".? But I also understand there are lonely people who have no one close and are in need of a little human contact and simply want to share.