Being a parent isn’t for the faint hearted

MIDWEST MINUTE VERN McCLELLAND

I was the fortunate son.

Being the third one in line, with 12 years between my oldest brother and I, the edges had been knocked off the whole parenting thing by the time I came along.

Let’s be truthful, I wasn’t the easiest child, continually testing mom and dad’s patience.

Later in life, with children of my own, I realized just how patient they had been with me, letting me stretch my wings, especially during my teenage years.

When needed though, dad had a knack for being able to tell a story to get his point across, often drawing from his own experiences.

Rarely lecturing, always teaching.

For example, the importance of treating people with respect, no matter what their station in life was.

Today, as a father and grandfather, I am gaining an understanding of how difficult it is to be supportive of your loved ones without jumping in right away with a solution.

And if you are in a long-term business relationship with an adult child; and I am with both of mine, being able to express your thoughts and feelings without smothering theirs.

Let’s face it, the next generation is much more prepared for the challenges of today’s world than I feel I am.

I admire family farms and businesses that seemingly enable the patriarch and matriarch to “step back without stepping away.”

If you have been making major decisions for decades, and now can allow your son or daughter to make strategic choices that impact everyone, well you are better at transitioning commensurate authority with responsibility than most.

In my work as an agricultural and commercial specialist, it is a rare day when I am not in conversation with one generation or the other about their views of the future.

It makes me regularly review my own circumstances and honestly, I think it is time for me to adapt to a new role doing what I do best, and letting family do what they do best.

Good for my well- being, and I am quite sure, for theirs as well.

My hope is to see all my granddaughters grow up before I pass on.

Hopefully, I will have enough summers to see that goal achieved but who knows?

So, if there is a change needed, I guess

I better start now! Vern McClelland is an associate broker with RE/MAX of Lloydminster and an active partner in his family’s livestock operation. Comments on this article are welcome either by emailing vernmcclelland@remax.net or calling 306-821-0611.