Despite paying thousands of euros a year into the French pension and social security system, we are under no illusion that they will give us any money when we’re older and even greyer. So we have been vetting the children.
“Which of you will look after us when we’re old?” asked Rupert the other day.
“Bea will be no good,” said Olivia, “she’ll be too busy with her boyfriends.”
“What about you? You’ll look after us, won’t you?” he asked.
“Only if you’re good,” she replied.
So parental truth number eight is this. Although your children have the right to drive you mad and behave as badly as is possible for twenty years or more, you do not. But I guess we have had our turn with our parents.
Copyright: Helena Frith Powell 2008
Helena,
The closer you get to retirement the scarier the social security system I keep pouring money into gets. I pray I’ll get anything by way of benefits when I get to age 67.
By the way, those are three good looking kids there. How old did you say Bea is? 30???
I know, isn’t it scary? She really comes to life as soon as she sees a camera so my plan for her is supermodel then President’s wife with special responsibility for pensions!
Hx
You are skipping the grandchildren phase. Who will pay the school fees?