Christmas: a time for families

17/12/2006

When I and my sister and brothers were growing up, family life was very different from today, and our grandparents were a great big part of those years and Christmas was a magical time which was so exciting for us.

We did not have all the numerous expensive presents which many children have today but what we received gave us so much pleasure. The best thing was the togetherness of the family. Children always came first as far as our grandparents were concerned.

As in many families today, between the adults there were disagreements from time to time but it was always sorted out between the family; grandparents were always consulted for their advice and experience from life. And because there was respect for our elders, the advice was to talk about our problems and to be ready to apologise if we were at fault - and it worked. It was always “you must think of the children and if you fall out you must fall back in again for their sake”.

I would say to families going through difficult issues mainly because of divorce/separation or a family feud: Christmas is a time to repair relationships, maybe “sorry” is the hardest word to say but once said it can bring harmony where there has been discord and it can heal broken families, because children are an integral part of families and, if they can see the adults make up together, this is a valuable lesson to teach them.

They want mum and dad to be there for them because they love them both and they want to see grandparents and the wider family. After all Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus and he asked that we love one another - we are the family of mankind and one world.
 
Pamela Wilson, Chairwoman Grandparents Action Group