H and I are thinking of initiating this conversation with his parents when they come to visit us sometime this year. I don't want to make it a HUGE thing (and everything I read says it's better to make it a series of short conversations anyway, but we rarely get to see them face to face)....but we're both concerned and very much in the dark about their retirement plan and other items like end-of-life, long term care, etc. His mom and dad struggled financially for a long time and we know that their savings are likely not where they ought to be at their age. I've been doing some research here and there about broaching the topic, and subjects to focus on...but what I love about TK is reading people's personal experiences too. And I know there are some moms here with grown children. Have you had this discussion with your kids? Or are you planning to eventually?
I think the point I'm most concerned about deals with their retirement. They're both in their early 50s...so it's maybe a little early for the conversation, but I also kind of think it's a good time because it means we have 15 plus years to do some work to improve the financial outlook in their retirement years.
My own parents have been great about this and about initiating conversations with us. I'm the executrix of their estate, I know where all the important documents are, I have an idea of what my parents want for end of life care. But H and I know nothing about what his mom and dad desire, where the documents are, nothing. I just want to make this as un-awkward as I can.