Well we all know that children do not come with instructions manuals attached, so we as new parents had a lot to learn in a very short time. From the day of our child's birth we're learning the role of parenting. Our oldest child is now near 40 years of age and we are still learning the skills of parenting. Most of what we have learned was by trial and error, and I admit many times we learned parenting skills by error.
The one thing we have learned as parents over the years is that no matter what happens to our children - we still love them and support them. They may not always make the right choices, but we love them unconditionally no matter what they are going through.
It appears that when the children were small we dealt with small issues, but as they got older the issues became much more complicated. My mother would say, "Small children, small problems; big children- big problems." In thinking back, I must admit she was right.
We were greatly blessed when we were raising our children because grandparents and special uncles were only a mile away. Someone once said it takes a community to raise a child. We totally agree on that point.
In our church, when a child is baptized, we ask the congregation to respond to this question, 'Will you support this child in prayer and help raise the child in a Christian faith.' How many of us answer 'yes' and never see or hear from this child again. If we do not keep in touch with this child, and pray for this child we have broken a promise made in church the day the child was baptized.
We feel communication was very important in the home. Listening to our children is the key to building a good relationship with them. Our children are our best friends and we can tell each other anything.
Children will mimic our behavior. If we yell at home, our children will also respond by yelling. If we use bad words, the children learn them quickly. If we hit each other, children will also mimic that behavior. What we do as parents within our home will set the ground rules of what our children will do in their homes.
Things have changed so much over the years, but some things do not change: it is important to listen to our children, respect our children, love our children and pray for them. Each day is a learning day for parents. We will never give up on the opportunity of learning how to raise a family.
Now we have grandchildren at the door each day, again another learning experience. Grandchildren also do not come with instructions attached. This is another learning experience, but I will add, a lot more enjoyable than raising our own children. These young children have taught us so much.
Times have changed so much since we raised our children, even in our older years we as parents and grandparents keep learning, keep listening, keep loving, and we keep praying for our family.
"One of the greatest titles in the world is parent, and one of the biggest blessings in the world is the title grandparent."
Margaret Anne Yost nursed for 35 years. Returning back to school I completed classes from the Red River College in the areas of Gerontology, Bereavement, Death and Dying. For twelve years I worked in bereavement support at a funeral home.
At present I am employed as an Interim Parish Worker at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Melville, Sask. I also enjoy my role as homemaker, wife, mother and grandmother.
