Mom Won't Leave

[Pellice]

I really think you have to tailor the appeal to the personality type. People who pride themselves on being "stubborn" or "not like the rest of the herd" or "not easily frightened" are fairly resistant to appeals based on fear. In fact, it may backfire to hold the threats of danger over their heads.

But appeals to guilt may work with such a personality. Or move the focus to the person making the appeal to leave, e.g. "I admit I would feel hysterical if you stayed. This one has me scared. I know you don't feel frightened, but I do and I would really feel so much better if you would leave, for my sake if not for your own. I want us to be together and not separated in case they close down the town."

It often seems to me that all the more dramatic efforts, such as the black markers with which to write one's name, sometimes get certain personality types more excited than scared.

Depends with whom you are dealing. And older people can be very stubborn.

I would be interested in seeing what sorts of appeals have worked in the past with older, stubborn parents.

[skufful]

Strap a life jacket and an EPIRB to her and see if she gets the point.
At least you will be able to find her.

[JenyEliza]

I knew it. My mother is the Master of Denial, and after faithfully promising she would leave our West Houston area if Rita reached Cat 4 status, she backed out yesterday evening. Why? Because my idiot <insert several expletives of your choice here> brother convinced her nothing will happen and that my sister and I are just "hysterical". Then she hears Dr. Frank saying, truthfully, that we don't know exactly where Rita will go and comes to the conclusion that his statments translate as, "You don't have to leave so don't worry about it."


So, while Dave and I will be leaving town soon, I have no idea how we're going to pry Mom and her cat out of her house. This is a woman who absolutely FREAKS if the electricity even blips - no way will she be able to handle even a day without it. Can someone please explain old people to me? Please?!

I wish I could explain old people in Hurricane zones to you.

My parents are retired and live in Cent. FL. Last 'Cane season, they stayed put through Charlie, Frances and Jeanne--no matter how I BEGGED them to leave, they just threw the pool furniture into the pool, boarded up the windows, got their generator ready, and stayed put.

I live in Atlanta--500 miles away from my beloved parents. Too far away to help them, too far away to drag them out personally. I was nearly mentally ill from all the stress before December 1.

After Charlie, it took 5 days before I heard from them, and even then, it wasn't them, but my Uncle in Virginia who said they'd managed to get a call out to him and that they were fine.

My sister lives in the B/CS area north of Houston. They are now getting a dose of their own medicine. My sister and her husband should be fine, since this is one of the towns taking in the coastal evacuees--but they're still in for a beating if you ask me. FINALLY, my parents are going to find out how it feels to be hundreds of miles away and unable to do a damned thing to help people you love more than life.

Since Katrina, my parents have promised they will evacuate for anything over a 2. We'll have to see if they actually KEEP their promise. Not holding my breath.

I hope your Mom will grab the cat and go ASAP. I'll be saying prayers for you all.

From one Jen to another....BIG HUGS....

Jeny

[njoynit]

My aunts the same way.shes in SE Pasadena and in a purple zone.Her car is in in a shop in Galveston& refuses to get a ride to my hubbys work in Liberty.says she'll be alright.has my candles i've made her& claims will be fine on her 2nd floor apt.the apt owners told everyone it was MANDTORY to evav.I'm hopeing my mom in TN will talk some some sense into her sister.My cuz is on her way now flying back from Jersy to Galveston so she can evacuate her 2 daughters and get the camper& secure the house& going to San Antonio.I was actually worried about her.They useually STAY for all storms.Island born.

I wish everyone a speedy evac...short gas lines....and speedy recovery.Stay safe.

[JenBayles]

WOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!! Mom's going with us! Apparently she finally started paying attention to what she was seeing on the TV, and rather shamefacedly told me she'd go with us. Thank you God Almighty! I got everything as tidy as I could at her place and she is packing as I write. Whew! One bullet dodged for this family anyway. Of course, she's so dam contrary it wouldn't surprise me if she changes her mind again, but at this point, I'll just show up with a straight jacket and a gag and throw her arse in the truck.

[alicia-w]

Good for you, Jen!!! Good luck. And be careful. My daughter lives in Cameron Parish Louisiana and they've been told to evacuate too. My husband talked to her fiance and they were getting ready...Havent talked to her yet.

[krysof]

Great! My friend isn't going to galveston either, he changed his mind not to mention he can't go there.

[Kim_in_MN]

That's great!

Your mom sounds familiar though - my father definitely wouldn't leave unless it was HIS idea ROFL.

Prayers going out to everyone in the path of this one.

Kim

[MomH]

Don't know if it would work for younger people and don't know if Texas has a similar law but -- Florida has something called the Baker Act. Basically it means if three people will sign a paper saying that a person is incompetent they can be hospitalized for evaluation. Think in this case I would be very tempted to use it on some of those stubborn old folks you loving children have been writing about.

My prayers will be with you all until this is over.

[Heatseeker]

Mostly I just lurk here but I'm surprised nobody has suggested this yet.

Sneak to wherever the electrical breaker box is. Throw the main breaker.