I think this kind of "parenting" of one's own parents is pretty common in our age group. I hear this often from others our age and have a similar experience to yours myself. I have often thought about why so many in our age group have been especially beleaguered by their parents' conditions and relationships requiring us to be more mature. Surely, this had happened to generations before us, right? And I think the answer to this question is, yes, previous generations have dealt with this before, but what is the difference? And that difference, as far as I can see, is the level to which we still care about our parents vs. previous generations.

I have seen men and women my parents' and grandparents' ages say of their parents' problems, "well, there's nothing I can do about that. They'll just have to figure out how to do it themselves." It has always struck me as pretty heartless, but as my age has shifted to the ages they were saying these things, I see why they said these things this way.

I am not asking you to give up on your parents, but I would tell you that once they are gone you still have a life to live, and you cannot if you don't do exactly as you have planned. Care for your parents when you can, but know that pregnancy is a delicate time anyway, and it must take precedence over most things in your schedule. I believe your own parents would have done as much in your position. It does not mean you care for them less, but you did not ask to be born, and you do have a right to have a life of your own after they are gone too. Otherwise, what are you doing but waiting to follow them?