I have to admit, as soon as LW said “2011” I cut them a teeny bit of slack. The economy had just tanked. I’m sure the parents had been holding on to the relief that at least son was graduating in engineering and would hire into an $80K position, while they could continue on with their plans towards retirement without supporting a return-to-nester. There was A LOT of fear around failure to launch. It was the entire zeitgeist of the time.

However, it sounds like they handled it REALLY badly and son is understandably hurt. The best I can think of is for them to keep an ear out for those accomplishments and write a note or card of sincere congratulations each time saying how proud they are.