By Sola Adeyegbe
In the grand theatre of family life, even the simplest interactions can turn into comedic gold. Take yesterday morning, for instance, when a grateful parent attempted to convey appreciation and a few gentle suggestions to their beloved child.
The context of this breakfast episode is not only a lesson in communication but also a reflection on how times have changed.
THE PRELUDE TO BREAKFAST
Picture this: it’s 6 a.m., the sun is still deciding whether to rise, and a parent has just returned from an early morning walk. With a sense of urgency to move early, they gently woke their child to arrange breakfast. Now, “gently” is the operative word here.
Back in the day, you didn’t dare suggest your parent was yelling at you—even if they were. But today, things are different. As the parent was heading into the bathroom, they added firmly, “I will not wait if the breakfast is not ready on time.”
Eventually, breakfast was served on time, eaten, and off they went.
THE CAR CALL
In the car, feeling a surge of gratitude, the parent thought it would be nice to give their child some feedback. They called, but when the call went unanswered, a WhatsApp message was sent.
Here’s how it unfolded:
Parent: “Good morning, darling. I called earlier and wanted to thank you for arranging my breakfast this morning. It was thoughtful of you, and I appreciate the effort you put into ensuring I start my day well.
However, I have a bit of feedback that I hope you can take into consideration. I would be happier if you were more involved in the preparation rather than leaving everything to our cook. For example, the cook used three eggs today, but I prefer just two.
Also, only half the yam would have been enough for the meal. Going forward, I would like to have portion-controlled meals. This would make me more comfortable and align better with my preferences.
Thank you again for your care and attention. I look forward to enjoying more of your thoughtful preparations. I wish you a day of one beautiful miracle after another. Love.”
THE CHILD’S RETORT
To the parent’s surprise, the child’s response was swift and brief:
Child: “It was 6 a.m. and you woke me up with yelling? I was not exactly inspired to wake up and monitor preparations.”
Now, this is where the generational gap yawns wide. In the past, the mere thought of telling a parent they had yelled—even if they had—was as likely as snow in the Sahara. But in today’s world, children are more expressive, more candid. They don’t hesitate to point out (alleged) faults.
THE COMEDIC REBUTTAL
Not one to be outdone, the parent crafted their most diplomatic reply:
Parent: “Hello Dear. I’m sorry if it seemed like I was yelling when I woke you up this morning. That was not my intention. I gently woke you up because I needed to leave early for work and wanted to make sure everything was in order for breakfast.
I appreciate your effort in arranging the meal, and I hope you understand my feedback is just to help improve things. I would love for you to be more involved in the preparation because it means a lot to me.
Thank you again for your help and understanding. Love always!”
THE AFTERMATH
When the parent got back home, they asked the child if they really thought there was yelling that morning. The child affirmed that there was, particularly at the point when the parent said they wouldn’t wait if breakfast was not served on time.
They smiled over it, and the parent calmly asked for dinner. It was served in minutes. Delicious.
THE LESSON
Reflecting on the morning’s exchange, there is a reminder of the importance of maintaining high regard for those older than us.
Back in the day, respect for elders was paramount. You accepted their guidance with humility, even if it came wrapped in a less-than-gentle package.
Today, while children are encouraged to speak their minds, it’s equally important to balance this freedom with respect and understanding.
So, as we navigate the sometimes-humorous tumult of family life, let’s strive to blend the best of both worlds: the candid communication that characterizes today’s youth with the respectful deference that marked yesteryears. For instance, instead of a younger person mentioning that an elder yelled, one could say, “I feel that a gentler approach would have encouraged me more.”
After all, whether discussing breakfast or broader life lessons, mutual respect and understanding remain the key ingredients for a harmonious home.
