An Open Letter to Parents

One of the many important topics covered in Ordinary People is parenting. Everyone has their own opinions on this important aspect of a child's life. Though some are good and some aren't so much, there are a few things every parent should make sure to do.  One of the seemingly simplest and most important things a parent needs to do, and something Beth just couldn't do for Conrad, is to show affection.  Although she does love him - he is her son - she just can't put things in the past and show her love for him. Now although he is a better parent, Calvin isn't perfect either.  Toward the end of the book Conrad told him he ought to scold him more often; he loves his son so much he couldn't even think about causing him more pain.  He thinks he didn't pay enough attention to Conrad before the suicide, so now he's overcompensating.  Though these are good intentions, he needs to see that Conrad is growing up and is doing a lot better now.  Of course, there are many other shortfalls of parents that don't arise in this book, but there are still parenting lessons that can be learned from Ordinary People.