After having spent a lovely day with my dear mum and dad along with my brother, sister-in-law and their grown up children, I feel so incredibly grateful to have such a wonderful family. Many of the clients I see are not so lucky, and for all sorts of reasons, have difficult or even sometimes non-existent relationships with their families. I even meet some people who have not spoken to close family members for many years, and this strikes me as particularly sad.

Family support is really important, and I still value the support of my mum and dad, although increasingly they depend on me and my brother for practical help as they get more frail with age.

My parents are both in their 80s and still value their independence despite numerous health problems so do not like to bother us, but I think the fact that we are nearby just gives them peace of mind so they know we could come and help if needs be.

I shall be 50 in a few days time, and I realise for many that this can be quite a difficult time as people of this age may have teenagers at home, as well as having to care for elderly parents. There is sometimes that feeling that you are caught ‘between a rock and a hard place’ having to deal with the angst of teenagers as well as the increasing frailty of one’s parents.

What I find heart-warming is the lovely bond that my children have with my parents, and how after the years of my mum and dad looking after my 2 when they were little and doing all sorts of wonderful things with them, they are now able to repay them with small kindnesses, like doing shopping and little jobs around the house.

Very often in the West the elderly tend to be cast to one side, and I think that this is sad. Eastern societies by contrast venerate their elders, they really value them and treat them as VIPS, they can appreciate their wisdom and knowledge, and I think that in this way the elderly people feel loved and respected.

Families can be difficult at times, but we should treasure them.

Best wishes,
Wendy x