I'm 66-years-old and single. How do I tell my mother that I am going on a date without her getting mad?

godhelpus: For most of the world, that IS why people have children, to help with the farm and chores and to take care of the parents when they age. In some countries, more traditionally spelled out. In China, traditional for the eldest son and his wife to move into his parents' house and he (right) takes care of the parents until they die...then he is the ONLY sibling to inherit the parents' home and estate. You know who actually does all the work and catches all the grief from the old lady's sharp tongue. Anyway, this sort of makes sense at least. The eldest son's family gets help from grandma and grandpa early on with babysitting, then the grandparents are cared for and the son rewarded with the estate. Heard that if no sons, then the eldest daughter is expected to do this.

You're right, In most societies, (that have had a chance to mature) the generational process is more refined and the children do play thier role in the caretaking of aging parents. Unfortunately, I believe OUR society, (America) is too young to have worked all this out yet.