Family Awareness: Honouring and Caring for Our Parents

Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are special occasions to celebrate and appreciate the love and dedication of our parents. It is a time to reflect on the importance of understanding and being there for our parents through tough times and ensuring their physical and emotional well-being. It is also an opportunity to honour and memorialise parents who have passed away.

This year’s Global Parent’s Day theme is about ‘family awareness’, which is about being mindful of the needs of our parents, particularly their emotional and physical well-being. As they age, our parents may require more attention and support from us than before. As adult children, its understandable that we can get caught up with things going on in our lives such as career, taking care of our own families or other obligations. However, as our very first teachers and nurturers in life, we must remember to cherish their sacrifice for us by being aware and proactive of where they are presently in life, so we can help them maintain their mental, emotional, and physical health.

One of the best ways to ensure our parents’ well-being is to check in on them regularly. Whether it is through a phone call, a visit, or a text message, reaching out and letting them know that we care can make a big difference. It is also important to listen to their concerns and be there for them when they need someone to talk to.

Encouraging our parents to take care of their physical health is also important. This can involve making sure they are eating healthy, getting enough exercise, and going to regular check-ups with their doctors. By helping them prioritise their health, we can help them live longer, healthier lives.

In addition to physical health, it is equally essential to support our parents’ emotional health. As our parents age, they may experience feelings of loneliness, sadness, or anxiety. By being there for them and offering emotional support, we can help them navigate these tough emotions. Encouraging them to pursue hobbies and interests they enjoy can also help improve their mood and overall well-being. As studies show that loneliness and social isolation are linked to serious health issues such as stroke, heart disease, and even premature death, that especially effects ageing people from age 50 and above, it is crucial that we always keep an eye on our parents’ emotional state.

For those of us with departed parents, honouring and memorializing them is also an important part of family awareness. One way to do this is undertaking a project designed to memorialise them, which we can then update annually as a family memorial activity. Creating a scrapbook filled with photos, letters, and mementos that capture their essence and spirit can be one such project. Alternatively, we can also establish a family tradition or ritual that celebrates their life and legacy, such as lighting candles and preparing a dish of their favourite food during a remembrance service or sharing stories and memories at a family gathering.

While this year’s Parents Day 2023 theme is about ‘family awareness’, its important to remember it isn’t only something to keep in mind for this year alone, but also for every year. By being conscious of our parents’ emotional and physical well-being, we can help them maintain their health and happiness as they age, which would also make future planning of one’s Medical Organisation and Final Affairs Organisation much smoother. Checking in on them regularly, encouraging them to take care of their physical and emotional health, and honouring and memorializing deceased parents are all ways we can show our love and appreciation for everything they have done for us.

Visiting a departed loved one this Parent’s Day? Check out Xiao En’s Parent’s Day Remembrance Service package!

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