If you are a millennial, your parents are a confusing age right now. Confusing for you, not them.
Clearly they are getting old. Random street vendors have started calling them “Aunty” instead of “Didi”.
They might have suffered a serious illness or two, and probably have a couple of chronic pains. Visiting the family doctor is a monthly ritual now. But they are still proud. They don’t want you worrying about their health. Some might even try to hide their ailments from you.
They are the kids now
You remember that time when we were kids and our father used to scold us for spending too much time on facebook or in front of the TV? They used to say “too much screen time is not good”. Everything wrong with the world is because you spend too much time in front of the mobile. “facebook will brainwash you”.
And now, you try telling them not to spend too much time on WhatsApp forwards and reels, and see what their reaction will be.
In many aspects parents are kinda the new kids. You need to make sure they aren’t getting their news from unreliable sources, you need to check in to see if they did their exercise or are they eating healthy. . . . . And you do occasionally need to scold them if they don’t take your advice (order) seriously.
They still want the best for you. Even if they don’t know what is best for you. From making you eat ghee laden roties to pressuring you to get married. They want you to do these things because they genuinely believe these are the right things to do. And knowing this makes resisting them hard.
So you are confused. Are you supposed to take care of them? Are they supposed to be independent? Should you scold them for childish behavior? Should you listen to their advice on life decisions? Should you disregard their advice and do what you want anyways? Should you question their religious and social beliefs knowing it might lead to a fight? Should you call them on a day you are angry with them?
The answer unfortunately is yes, for all the above questions.