We go through life in a blur – we barrel through school, make great friends, have such fantastic memories and, in the blink of an eye, we’ve become adults who are trying to find our way in the working world.
One day, you suddenly realise that your parents also journeyed through the same time that you have.
And it shows.
You see tiny wrinkles stealthily creeping up on the corner of their eyes, and grey hairs peeking out from their black crowns.
You notice that on holidays they tend to tire faster, and that they tend to take longer naps on the weekends. How shocking is that while we were out there living our lives and having fun, our parents have been growing old without us realising?
Well, it’s never too late to start spending more time with them! And here’s why:
1. Nobody knows us better than our parents
Let’s face it: they’re the very people that brought us into this world! As teenagers, we wanted to be as independent as possible, but it’s our parents who really know us inside out.
They know all our quirks and idiosyncrasies, they know what foods we love to eat when we’re down, and they know exactly what makes us tick.
Besides, how many times have our parents stayed up late just to make sure we get home safe? Or cooked our favourite meals just to brighten up our day? Or folded our clothes neatly and tidied our rooms without complaint? If that doesn’t deserve some appreciation, we don’t know what does!
2. It keeps our parents active
PSA: retirement doesn’t just equate to one bumming around all day. In fact, it’s of great importance to keep retirees both physically and mentally engaged – within reasonable limits of course! Doing so not only relieves boredom, but also helps to keep their minds active.
There are plenty of activities to do with your parents: bring them out for a nice meal, engage in a fun game of bowling, go for an idyllic stroll at Gardens by the Bay, spend an afternoon museum-hopping, and more.
In fact, spending time with your parents doesn’t always mean that you have to go out. Why not organise a fun night in, where you can D.I.Y. your own pizzas or cupcakes?
Never underestimate the power of sitting down for a family dinner together. You can also organise a family game night – Monopoly or Pictionary, anyone? – or cuddle up for a cosy movie soirée.
BONUS: Senior citizens (55 years and above) can enjoy the special rate of only $2.50/game at SuperBowl Mount Faber, Toa Payoh, or Tampines (Monday to Friday, 12pm to 4pm). More information here.
3. They simply want to spend time with you
It really just boils down to this. Nothing makes our parents happier than spending time with us. You don’t have to change your entire life: simply set aside some time each week to spend with them, and they’ll be the happiest cookies on the planet.
4. We’ll learn more from them than we realise
Just think about it: our parents have spent so much time accumulating a wealth of knowledge. Learning from our parents started from young – when we were children, we learnt how to behave, and even how to regulate our emotions.
As we get older, our parents impart to us valuable life lessons, which we carry with us through our entire lives.
Some things that we learned from our parents: the power of humility, and knowing when to admit that we’re wrong. We learned the value of hard work, and how to always put in our all in whatever we do. We learnt to have courage to pursue our passion, and how to always treat others with kindness. The list goes on and on!
5. It establishes an open communication channel
Parents and children naturally experience conflict from time to time. It’s all part of the growing up process.
However, as we spend more time with our parents and get to know them better, we might gain insight into their perspectives, and understand why they react in a certain way.
Speaking to our parents regularly helps to open an honest communication channel, and improve the parent-child relationship, as well as enhance mental health for both sides. It’s a win-win situation!
6. You’ll build a family bond that’s stronger than never before
Blood is thicker than water – or so the saying goes. Indeed, there’s nothing more important than family. Friends may come and go, but family is the one thing that never changes. And the more time you spend together, the stronger your family unit will become.
So, what do you have in mind for some quality family time? Your parents will appreciate it for sure!
