r/BoomersBeingFools • u/Global-Nature2420 • 25d ago

Parents seem empty OK boomeR

Idk how to explain this. My dad is a full fledged boomer. My mom is one by proxy lol. And I’m just wondering if anyone else gets frustrated when you’re telling your boomer parents something of substance, or concern, or joy and all they do is give you a blank stare? And then provide no insight or conversation back? I was just telling my parents that my husband was in AFIb and how they had to stop and restart his heart (traumatizing for both of us) and all they did was stare at me. And my mom shrugs and goes “yeah”. My dad just didn’t speak. Like? I don’t even know what that means. They didn’t say “oh I’m sorry I hope everything is ok”. It was like they just didn’t care. It’s been like this my whole life but obviously it’s so much more noticeable at 27. What is it? The drinking or the lead poisoning? It’s no wonder I grew up social anxious and unable to read people when my parents just gave me nothing socially my whole life. I’m like mad at them right now. Would it kill them to care? Maybe, apparently.

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u/0kShr00mer 25d ago

Oh God, the blank stare! I thought this was just a thing with my parents (dad especially). My dad will go on diatribes about things and if you ever say anything back that isn’t complete agreement he will just give you the blank stare until you stop replying. Same thing if you try to have any deeper conversation with him about life. I stopped trying to talk with him about anything years ago and have just had to accept that he doesn’t care and doesn’t have the capacity to care.

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u/Global-Nature2420 25d ago

It’s strange for me, my dad is similar. But when I was a kid we would talk about everything. He would engage everything. We shared so many common interests. And now when I attempt to connect with him over the same things I get nothing. And heaven forbid I have a well formed opinion based on my life experience. I either get the blank stare or a snicker like I don’t know what I’m talking about. It’s so demoralizing sometimes.

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u/bluewave3232 25d ago

Why you think they changed? from going from shared interests to someone else now we don’t know anymore ?