personally because it's your mum and i presume it's the same for other generations it's just numbers until it's real in real life cash, hard cash in the hand, maybe if she needs that money or just wants to have the original investment back she should cash that back out and sit on the profits and then it's just like she never invested but has this new asset to sit on -- if it helps her have a more enjoyable life, needs the funds or just wants to have the satisfaction of enjoyment of a successful investment that turned out great then i say go for it! :)