Families For Life | "Old school" parenting techniques that still work

Traditional parenting wisdom has evolved alongside modern approaches, with many time-tested principles remaining relevant today.

They offer practical, grounded guidance for raising kind, responsible, and resilient children. From the value of respect to good manners, let’s explore some of these timeless lessons!

Chores build character

There are many ways to teach responsibility and the value of hard work to our little ones, and allocating chores to them is a great way to do both at once. From cleaning up after themselves to putting their dishes in the kitchen sink or helping load their laundry into the washing machine, it’s not about how big the job is, but how consistently they do these small chores. Help your child understand that responsibilities come before privileges. When they complete their chores, they learn valuable lessons about time management and earn their leisure activities. This teaches them that effort and responsibility have natural rewards.

Growing from mistakes

There is a timeless saying that goes like this. “Failure is the stepping stone to success”. This is exactly why, as parents, we must sometimes ignore the temptation to cushion every fall or solve every problem for our little ones. Our parents knew the value of letting us try and sometimes fail (remember the scrapes on your knees?). It is important to let them try things their way, and if things go wrong, bounce back stronger. That is how they grow their self-confidence.

Encourage them to go out

Remember when play meant going outside and rushing home when it was becoming late for dinner? Giving our children freedom to explore the world, albeit safely, teaches them to think for themselves, problem solve, and build social skills. Whether walking to the convenience store downstairs or through nature in the park, trust and independence are built when we let them roam just a little.

Teaching respect, respectfully

Our parents instilled in us the habits of saying “please” and “thank you,” greeting our elders, and being considerate, and you should do the same for your children. These small habits form the foundation of respectful relationships. Teaching them respect does not need to be through punishment or being strict, but rather by modelling kindness, empathy, and awareness of others.

Dinner time is precious

A family that eats together stays together. Although having dinner together may seem a little impossible in our busy world, it’s one of those timeless habits that holds incredible value. Sitting down as a family, even for a quick meal, creates time for meaningful conversations and the opportunity to check in with one another. It’s not just about the food, but the routine and sense of stability that comes with it. For children, this daily ritual especially offers comfort and consistency in an otherwise fast-paced day. Over time, meal time becomes a foundation for lasting family memories!

Be a role model

Finally, and possibly the most timeless lesson, is to lead by example. Our parents worked hard, were responsible and showed respect. We learned from them. The same goes for your children, too. You may not see immediate results, but your everyday examples will have a lasting impact on them.

In our fast-changing world, some parenting principles remain constant. Some of the most effective parenting techniques are ones that have stood the test of time because they address fundamental aspects of child development and family relationships.

For more parenting tips, check out our parenting resources!