For as long as I can remember, my parents have taken care of my every need and want.
As a child, it is expected for your parents to take care of you in every way imaginable, but as we grow older, that expectation seemingly disappears. For most people my age, on the cusp of adulthood, we rely heavily on our parents for both emotional and financial support.
However, for many others, that support simply isn’t there. I have known many many people whose parents refuse to pay for their college education or help them at all with living expenses.
My parents are not like this, not by a long shot. In fact, my mom and I recently signed the lease on my apartment for my junior year of college. An apartment that my mom is paying the rent and utilities for.
My mom and dad are also footing the bill for my remaining two years of university, as my first two were completely free.
I would be naive to think that I’m anything less than blessed and extremely lucky to have the parents that I have, they’re absolutely phenomenal and go beyond the call of a regular parent.
The only thing is that I feel slightly guilty about how much my parents do for me. They always tell me that it’s their job and that it’s what they’re supposed to do. It doesn’t make it any less heavy on me, though.
When I mention all that my parents do for me and how guilty I feel about it, people usually just laugh at me and tell me I should feel lucky. I do feel lucky, man do I feel lucky. I know just how lucky I am because there are so many people who don’t have the luxury of parents like mine.
I also know that there are quite a few people who do have parents like mine, and I’m pretty sure there are at least a few that feel the same way that I do.
We live in a world where the idea of anyone over the age of 18 relying on their parents for money, education, living expenses or anything other than an encouraging word is frowned upon.
I am not discounting the people who work alone to put themselves through school, you work harder than I could ever imagine and you should be extremely proud of yourself.
However, when I hear people discussing how those whose college educations are paid for by their parents are lazy and will never truly appreciate their education, I get a little angry.
Just because I am not paying for my education out of my own pockets, does not mean I won’t appreciate it. If anything I’ll appreciate it even more because it’s not my own money going for it.
It’s my parent’s money, and that’s going to make me even more motivated to make them proud of me. Everyone is different, and everyone has different ideas about responsibilities.
My parents view my education and success as their responsibility, and they always have. Someone else’s parents might view their child’s education as their own responsibility, and that’s just as OK as my parents' view is.
If my parents want to pay for my gas, that’s their decision. If my parents want to pay for my food, that’s their decision. If my parents want to pay for my rent and utilities, that’s their decision. If my parents want to pay for everything for me, that’s their decision.
My parents are the most incredible people in the world, and I am well aware that they don’t have to do anything for me. Yet, they continue to go above and beyond their call of duty.
So, if you’re feeling guilty about your parents being generous, don’t. This is what your parents want to do, so let them!
Within the next five years or so, you’re going to be almost exclusively out of their lives. At least, in the way you’ve always been.
You’re going to be living on your own, with a job of your own, making money of your own. If your parents wish to provide you with a comfortable education and life, let them.
Don’t feel guilty because your parents love you.
