I want them to live a full life, and I don't want to be a burden to them.
They didn't choose to have me, but I chose to have them.
They were my responsibility, but I do not want to be their responsibility. My grandparents felt the same way. They wanted to stay in the small East Texas town that they lived in their whole lives. They did not want to move to Dallas.
My parents feel the same way. They've picked out a nursing home that is near where they have lived for 40 years. They wouldn't move to California ever, and that is where I live.
My husband and I will pick someplace nice for us to go to once we're not able to take care of ourselves.
I'll be happy if my kids are raising their own families or enjoying their retirement.
We were shocked and we cried. We told them that we had no problem taking care of them. They INSISTED that this was better, that we need to be living our lives, not taking care of them. They are in their early 70's and while Mom is fine, Dad has had some problems with diabetes and his heart. They pointed out that they didn't "expect" to need it for another 10 years or so (a good bet with Mom, not so good with Dad). They said in 10 years the kids (their grandchildren) would just be getting out on their own and that we didn't need one set of dependents being replaced with another.
It was a wonderful gesture, entirely selfless and thoughtful on their part. I still tear up when I think about it.