The best family remedy

Once upon a time there was a family. It was like any other family, close and caring. But most of all, they are there for one another. Because that is a basic element of the family unit. Not only are parents there for children, but also children are there for parents.

This is a topic I have a working familiarity with. And extreme experience in. The last few years notwithstanding. Indeed the last few years have seen the fastest erosion of the family unit in all the years I have been observing such things. Anyone raising kids in the nineties will likely agree to some extent.

The best family remedy

This article isn’t to offer hard facts. Those are available as soon as the front door is opened, these days. If one is so blessed as to have a front door to begin with. Opinions and experience are the cornerstones of parenting. Along with plenty of long nights and what feels like thankless days at times.

However that is the essence of family. One part of it, at the very least. There isn’t a book handed down that instructs you explicitly, how to parent your kid. At least there wasn’t, in my day. (I’ve been waiting eagerly to say that!) The idea of family could be considered traditional by today’s standards. However, the semantics are less important than the together aspect.

With this in mind, it is easy to say that family is the home base. No matter how many members are in the family, it is still at the core of the home. Therefore, family is also a welcome relief, from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Remedy

Additionally, the family and parenting, is still a worthwhile and noble pursuit. It is rewarding but not glamorous or easy. I suppose if it were easy everyone would be doing it. Furthermore there would still be a toy ‘r us. 😳 I’m just sayin’. That store was too cool. My kids wanted to go there every allowance night.

That was the best family remedy once upon a time. At the end of the week the parents would give the kids an allowance. It was for the good behavior and outstanding helpfulness of each child through the previous work week. At least that was the intended motivation. The carrot and the stick, so to speak.

However, the result was a trip into town and the local department store (Walmart) and always a trip to toys ‘r us. Therefore, there was additional family time. Also an opportunity to be a parent outside of the rigid structure of home life, and school life combined with work schedules.

Activity remedy

Kids need parents in every aspect. Not just as authoritarians. Life skills are valuable no matter their substance. Learning to laugh and see the humor in things is a critical life skill. Also learning how few toys can be bought, with a small sum of money, can be considered economics training. Or resistance training for the parent.

With this in mind, it stands to reason that the best family remedy is together time. Children and parents can benefit from time spent learning together. Even a night spent playing simple board games is an excellent activity for the family. Especially the kids as they learn how their parents negotiate various life issues. They are always watching. Setting a good example is paramount.