Family is said to be the smallest unit in the society, what ever happens in the family will no doubt have a negative or positive effect on the larger society, just imagine kids that did not have any form of parental love or care, most of them end having bad attitudes and character.
My parents played a great role in my early age and my teenage years. Our relationship was always a bitter sweet one. They were always present in my life. They always encouraged me that I could achieve anything I wanted to, but being an African and a Nigerian, though I knew the loved me but I didn't understand why they needed to spank me when they wanted to discipline me, at that point I always felt they hated me, but I noticed that anytime I behaved well or did something good there was always a reward.
While watching American movies I always saw families having dinner together but at home we ate separately and it was a bit confusing to me because I always wished we ate together and discussed about what happened during the day.
I remember always wanting to be a part of the decision making process but my parents wouldn't let me join in the discussion even if the decision was going to directly or indirectly affect me, one of such moments was when they said I should change school that the school I attended was too far from home, I remember telling them that I loved my school and that I like how my teachers made sure every student understood a particular topic before proceeding to the next one but they simply told me that I don't pay my school fees so I can't decide where I will be schooling.
As I grew older I noticed that my relationship with my parents had changed, we now talk more, our communication is now good and I enjoy spending time with them because we discuss about so many different topics and it is so educative, now my parents consult with me before taking any decision on a matter, this makes me feel that value my opinion. Now I understand that most of what they did was out of love and that was the way they knew how to express their love towards me.
I am learning a whole lot about parenting from them, I now understand that depending on the traits you see in a child you should pattern your relationship with your toward that, I for one knew dat I was a strong willed girl, so I needed some tough love in order to keep me in check.
So I can boldly say that my relationship with my parents has been a great and amazing, all we need is to understand the era in which each generation are so different.