Lessons from A 50yo. Home- 3. Respect.
Today, I’m going to take inspiration from Diana Ross and focus on how a home can promote the learning of RESPECT. (Apologies to you young folk who don’t know Diana Ross & The Supremes or their epic song ‘Respect’. If you don’t know it- You should totally google it. It’s sensational).
When I reflect on Mum & Dad’s 50-year-old home we grew up in, I’m aware of one particular omission that’s typical of most homes today—a lock on the shared bathroom door.
It wasn’t because of some design flaw or oversight, but rather because it wasn’t needed. There was an unspoken rule that if the bathroom door was closed, you knocked and waited for a response. It was a small but significant lesson in respect that we learned early, simply by example.
Respect in our home extended beyond just the bathroom door. We respected each other’s bedrooms and personal spaces. These areas weren’t locked or marked as off-bounds, but it was understood that they belonged to the occupant. The respect was mutual and unspoken, ingrained in the way we lived.
Respect also flowed through to the decisions we made together as a family. Whether it was about what to watch on TV, who got the good spot on the couch, or negotiating time in the bathroom—once an agreement was reached, we all complied with it. Going against the agreement wasn’t just seen as breaking the rules; it was seen as disrespectful to everyone involved.
Our family home, with its adequate amenities and relatively close living quarters, fostered an environment where respect was necessary. You couldn’t avoid your family members or isolate yourself easily. You had to engage, communicate, and most importantly, respect each other’s needs and boundaries.
In today’s world, where homes are typically much larger, the lesson of respect can sometimes be minimised. But if we take a page from our 50-year-old home, we can see how simple design choices—like not having locks on doors or sharing spaces—can teach invaluable life skills like respect.
Next week, we'll explore Lesson 4 from our 50-year-old home: Patience.
PS. Are you in considering a new custom build or reno, or in the thick of actioning it and just not sure where to turn? Then please don’t feel like you are alone. Book a free ‘Breakthrough’ call. Together we can work out your next step.