snow shoveling a grip and question

[kork13]

If neighbors are physically close enough to see your older parents out shoveling snow, would they be the sorts to help out? Maybe you could find a way to contact them and deliberately ask for their help, for pay or otherwise. If the neighbors are paying for snow clearance, they might be able to arrange a couple of clearances while your parents are out of town. A pro clearing one address might be happy enough to do the adjacent address at the same time.

Both of these are also very common up in Alaska. The former (helpful neighbors) is partly how we survived that first winter pre-snow blower. And there were entire streets of houses in our neighborhood that all used the same snow plow guy -- they grouped together and negotiated a discount for everyone. The guy is there in the street anyway, so it's only another 5 minutes to clear three other driveways next door.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

First off it's cold there from October to May. And the snow does not go away. More like Alaska Temps and weather. So melting is not happening.

Second my MIL broke her arm a few years ago slipping on the ice and needed a few surgeries. My FIL his hip before. I guess no skin off my back if they want to break their necks slipping on ice. Harsh but starting to realize that it's on them. Nope we aren't paying for it. They aren't broke they are very well off and can easily afford it. If they were in financial hardship like my grandmother (poverty section 8 level) hell yes we'd pay. But no way, no how am I paying for someone who has more than enough money. Right now more than before we have to watch our budget with our new financial means. Maybe 1 year ago when we had a lot of disposable income. And maybe in the future.

But let's be real here. They could afford to live near us where it doesn't snow. They can afford to pay someone easily to shovel for them without risking breaking another arm or hip. They can do many things but they are too worried about dying with their money that it's more important than seeing us, moving closer and having a better relationship, and realizing the kids are growing fast. We moved nearby to make accessibility easier. DH's 1st cousin and his ex-aunt (his uncle's ex wife) commented "gee your parents don't want to move closer to you with better weather?" We've been here for 6 years. This is not a surprise and we've made it eminently clear we are staying until the kids are grown another decade. They've had their chance to sell their house and move closer and with better circumstances.

They just don't want to. My MIL literally said I don't want to live 1 hour from a major airport, they live 45 minutes away now but 1-1.5 hours away is too far. What if I want to travel? Sigh. Well honey you aren't traveling now, so you might as well have moved into a house that was closer to your son and grandchildren. Maybe he'd have taken them across the border for a visit.

My parents have their moments as well. But I swear it's getting worse dealing with aging stubborness. My mom is the same and I want to choke her.

[GoodLiving]

Just do what my in laws do when they snowbird for 2 months. Just let the snow sit. In PA, temps fluctuate enough that you really do not have to shovel/plow, unless you have sidewalks and the city requires those to be cleared off. We get warm enough days where the snow will melt, especially on driveways.

If you live somewhere where temps remain low, pay the piper.

If you have a property in an area that has snow, you should always make sure it's cleared of snow how ever it happens. House fire and it's not safe for the firefighters so it just burns to the ground.

[myrdale]

I am convinced there is no such thing as an original thought anymore. Case in point, I thought "heated driveways" I could make millions!! Well one google and three youtube videos later, it seems I've been beat to the punch.

I am sure for the cost of repouring a driveway and installing the system, you could buy quite a few snow plows. But hey, its an interesting idea.

[scfr]

You don't have to assume the financial responsibility for the shoveling in perpetuity. If you give them holiday or birthday gifts, you could gift them a month or two of shoveling to get them to try it instead of buying them something they don't need. That's how I got my Mom to start Meals on Wheels. She was dead set against it. She refused to even look in to it. There was an informational booth at her farmer's market and she wouldn't even let me take her over to the booth to get information even though we went right past it and would have taken all of 2-3 minutes. She donated to MOW via her grocery stores' annual fundraiser so it wasn't like she hated the organization, she just didn't think the food would be to up to her standards. After she had several medical setbacks and was really starting to struggle, I started MOW for her as a gift. When the gift expired, she continued it (and at a lower price than the full price I was paying because she qualifies for a discount). She loves it now and looks forward to delivery days.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Apparently it's a signed seasonal contract of 6 months. I haven't done any research. That's what my MIL said that you sign a contract and take a risk there is snow. She was so upset that she "lost" money that year and there wasn't snow after that really bad year the year before where she couldn't keep up.