This is, perhaps, one of the most important pieces of parenting advice being given to younger women from an older woman. America is one of those countries that suffer ageism — an often foolish disregard for the elderly. In fact, it is one of the few countries in the world that doesn’t honor them in meaningful — even spiritual — ways. For sure, our ancestors are not given the deference they should as people who have already passed through this life, learned important lessons, and may actually have something worthwhile to pass on. I tell my own girls that, sometimes, learning from your own experience is highly overrated.
I recognize that not all older folks are wise — many have just aged. However, I must pass this video on because it gave me pause to re-examine some of my habits and parenting style. It reiterated to me that, inevitably, you teach people — including your children — how to care for you by the standard you set.
Yesterday, my older daughter brought me a single red rose bouquet— just because. For her Grams, she bought the white-rose version. In my single-parenting days, when finances were tight, I used to tell both my girls not to get me anything for special occasions because there were already so many other days that they had made special in their own way. But after listening to this older, wiser head, I am determined to heed her advice. And I am thankful that, despite many of my protestations, my girls never stopped subscribing to one of my love languages.
More importantly, in the future, I’m going to continue to have the “ice cream!
One Love. 
