Our parents get into battles they cannot finish and then enlist us to complete it for them. So at 50,  it is no longer about being married to the best man, driving the classiest cars and living in the choicest, areas.

It is now, “My daughter is doing better than yours, I told you.”

“My son is wealthier than yours, take a look at his car.”

Our achievements are used as bragging rights to appease a sense of inadequacy.

Our parents are using us to fight their battles and we know better than to dialogue with them, so we decide quietly to go with the flow.

We decide to be a passive participant in the theatrical production of the ‘My Life is Better Than Yours’ script.

As long as it doesn’t threaten our peace of mind or change the stability of our lives, we act out our part and leave them to cart the emotional proceeds from their investments.