I recently met with a few senior women (70+ years old), and asked them to share some tips for parents who are getting their children through school years. While they were laughing through the whole exercise and sharing questions to make parents think, I was smiling and writing them down, remembering all the smiles and memories along the way…

Every single one of them it did make me stop and think…

Parents need to remember that

• Your child is attending school, not YOU.
• Your child gets homework, not YOU.
• Your child is struggling learning the syllabus for their grade, not YOU.
• Your child needs to learn to learn, YOU have already completed your schooling.
• Your child needs to have the drive to succeed, not YOU alone.

What are your children learning & from who / where?

• Who is teaching your child societal norms? You or school or they learn it online?
• Who is teaching your child discipline? You or school or their friends?
• Who is teaching your child how to respect others? You or school or their friends?
• Who is teaching them what is good and what is bad? Or you expect them to have the skills to learn it by themselves through their friends?
• Do you know their friends? Online or in real life?
• Have you taught them how and when to reach out to you?
• Have you asked them what they want to do in life and helped them in their efforts?
• Do your children know your struggles? And do you know your children’s struggles?

Parents should remember

• You have your own lives, and children are one facet of your lives.
• Prioritize your own health as a parent, as your children learn your healthy habits.
• Families who cook together, stay connected longer.
• Have the habit of eating meals at the dining table, together. These become core memories later in life.
• Amidst all the chaos in life, learn to have fun together as a family – in your own special way.

I was shocked. I read and re-read my notes, and I am shocked at how many times we miss out on what is important for us while prioritizing what is important for them.

Somehow, amidst sharing wisdom, it was a moment to re-live their lives and reminisce their childhood and parenting moments. I realized in the process that, although generations have changed, what we care for & carry on seems to remain the same.