As Steven Covey says in his book the seven habits of highly effective people, “seek first to understand then to be understood”. We need to be sympathetic of what our mom is feeling and experiencing. In a moment we’ll share with you our discoveries. But first, let’s look at your mother.
To help you better understand your mom understand that everyone is unique so you want to ask your mom these questions:
1. What is it that you dislike most that you have to do in your life currently?
2. What makes you happiest in your life?
3. What are some of your fondest memories?
4. If you could leave one message for future generations, what would it be?
Elderly citizens are often crabby, self centered and crotchety. Some of your mom’s answers may reflect these negative areas. That’s ok. We are in the discovery phase.
My mom’s answers look something like this:
1. Not being myself.
2. Visiting with my family
3. She told me about events in her early life.
4. Enjoy every minute you have and don’t wait for tomorrow.
Pretty profound eh? Discovery and a lesson; we now know more about making her happy and what makes her unhappy. It creates awareness with her and with you!
In addition, she has given you an important piece of information! A lesson she has learned over the course of her lifetime. This is true wisdom learned from someone that brought you into this world. Even though this wisdom does not always seem to be so.
Whatever her answers were, they will help you for future planning for your moms care. You now know what she likes and dislikes and how she will react to different living and care scenarios.
