Timeless words of wisdom parents can give to their children

SASKATOON – Isn’t it funny how as parents you’ll catch yourself saying and doing the same things as the generation before you. Sometimes, it’s in the exact same tone of voice as your parents used even if you vowed to do things differently when you had children.

In honour of Family Day, we asked what timeless words of wisdom today’s parents had passed down to them and here’s what you had to say:

• “I think it would be spending time together as a family. I remember as a kid, Sundays were family time we always had something to do as a family on Sundays whether that was immediate family or extended family it was just a family day.”

• “Whatever you do, always work hard and try your best.”

• “Be kind to others and with a family our size just looking after your family and if you do that all sorts of great things can happen as you can see right here with the kids.”

• “Treat everyone equally regardless of race, religion , sex or circumstance.”

• “Never think there is anything so bad that you have done or has happened to that you can’t come to us about.”

READ MORE: Family Day for New Brunswick? The government is considering it

According to Statistics Canada, married couples still remain the predominant family structure in Canada at 67 per cent but that’s certainly decreased over the years.

Over a five-year period, the number of common-law couples rose 13.9 per cent more than four times that of married couples. Lone-parent families increased eight per cent between 2006 and 2011 and growth was higher for single dads than moms.

Same-sex married couples nearly tripled and 12.6 per cent of families were stepfamilies where all children were biological or adopted children of one and only one married spouse or common-law partner.

Additionally, 5.2 per cent of families are “complex stepfamilies” where at least one child came from both parents and one child in the household belonged to one parent only.

While the family unit now comes in all forms and is characterized by diversity, life lessons haven’t changed one bit.

According to one local expert, that advice can also go both ways. Dr. Angela Bowen, an associate professor with the University of Saskatchewan, penned the book Today’s Grandmother: Your Guide to the First Two Years.

It’s a carefully crafted guide on how to be an active and engaging grandmother without stepping on anyone’s toes.

According to Bowen, grandparents should get involved when asked otherwise, on occasions like Family Day, it’s time to take a step back and respect your children’s time with their own children — as hard as that may be.

“The grandparents may be retired and have lots of time that they want to spend with their children and grandchildren,” she said.

“They may be happy that the children will be home, but it isn’t about their time, it’s about the parent’s and family’s time together and grandparents should support that.”

It was a message parents at Pest Hill on Monday seemed to embrace, as they navigate through the parenthood and what works for them.

“That is also good advice, some grandparents feel the need to be lurking grandparent want to be involved in everything but definitely let the parents do their job, they know what they’re doing,” Alekcei  McAvoy said.

“I think I agree, I think everyone’s situation is a little bit different,” Loretta Odorico added.

“My mom still works full-time even though she’s 70 so any little bit of time that she’s able to spend with us we’re going to take advantage of that too.”