HOW TO BUILD HAPPY FAMILIES

WFWP TORONTO HOLDS FAMILY DAY SEMINAR

Editor’s Note: We are very pleased to include this report from our sister organization in Canada and will continue to feature stories of their uplifting work in upcoming issues of the newsletter, so look forward to it!
Women’s Federation for World Peace of Toronto held a Family Day Round Table Seminar on the theme: “Harmonious Families, The Greatest Facilitator of Happiness” on February 23, 2019 in Toronto with nearly 60 participants. The program featured four round table speakers, who each had their own perspective and nuggets of wisdom to share, as well as some inspiring entertainment from Japanese volunteers.

Ms. Lilly Tadin, President of WFWP Canada, reminded us that a family is a microcosm of the world and that we should strive to expand family-type love to people of the world. She related her own difficulties adapting to her husband’s family and the wisdom of her father-in-law – or rather her father-in-love – who eventually won her heart. In particular, the presence of grandparents, aunts and uncles provides invaluable support to new parents. Above all, she recalled how she came to understand the power of the saying, “the family that prays together, stays together” and that putting God at the center of our family is key to building harmony.

The following speaker Dr. Erum Siddiqui, Professor at George Brown College, Toronto, underlined the role of the family as the basic unit of society. She spoke of the influence of spousal unity on the children’s happiness. Through a brief historical overview, she explained how we evolved from a male dominated society and are moving toward equal partnership between spouses. Unfortunately, the prevalence of single mother families leaves children lacking parenting models.

Next up was Jasmin Edwards from “United We Stand Breakthrough Ministries”, who spoke on how a biblical perspective can give us guidance on being a loving, united family. She stressed the importance of finding time to be together and develop constructive communication skills. Parents should always try to build up others through their words and show respect and interest. We should seek to imitate God and deny ourselves, putting others first.