Most of us have gone through that early high school phase of not getting along with our parents and some even go as far as “hating” them, but the fact is we would be lost without them. When you’re young it’s so easy to believe your parents are just trying to suck the fun out of everything and are way too hard on you.
We would have never even noticed until we grew up that it was only for the sake of our safety, it may only be when we ourselves become parents that we realize it was to mold us into the best person we could be, and for some they may only realize it was because they would do anything for them when it is already too late.
This is why we must NEVER forget to let our parents know how much we love, adore, and appreciate all they do for us. If your mom is like mine, she is strong, beautiful, empowering, honest, crazy, sometimes stubborn, a lot of the time moody, fragile, but also comforting, wise, and your absolute rock.
If your dad is like mine, he is your biggest supporter. He is tough but sensitive, corny but inspiring, authentic and so loved, he can also be naive and sometimes mom’s puppet, but when it comes down to it, he is everything a dad should be and the person every girl keeps a mental image of when they think of the type of man they want to marry.
These people may get on your nerves so often and they may be unreasonable, but when you think about your parents, you have to know just how much they sacrifice for you and how much of their existence is revolved around making you happy and making you a more well-rounded human being.
We’ve all had times where they just drive us so crazy but thank God for growing up and being able to see just how good our parents are because being a parent cannot be easy. It is crucial that we spend time with them and we get to know them because more times than not, we really don’t know what we have until it’s gone.
This goes for any guardian you have who has looked after you and loved you unconditionally; we all have someone who fills that role.
Whether it’s your dad rushing out of work just to see your soccer game, your mom being the determining factor to whether or not you should be friends with that sketchy person, or just having a feeling of home wherever you go, these are the people that will matter forever, first and for most.
Next time you get so angry with your parents, stop and breathe and think about your overall relationship with them and how grateful you should be. Some people, unfortunately, do not have people like this in their lives and that should make it even more justified that you do not take them for granted because I guarantee you, if that girl who lost both her parents could see them one more time or that boy whose parents neglect him could get one hug, I know they would cherish that moment forever.
If your parents are like mine, you have it so good and you need to know it and act upon it now. Take the time to sit down with them and listen to stories about their childhood, go to the movies with them. CALL THEM AT SCHOOL. Just put the phone down in the car and listen to music together; it all adds up. Do not waste these days that you have such precious people in your life being so oblivious to the fact they just want what’s best for you.
Let them teach you even if it means listening to the same lectures over and over again, having the family movie night instead of going out, clean around the house for them every once in a while.
Someday when you have your own kids you’ll understand what it means to be a parent and how to be a great role model thanks to the people around you now. Don’t grow up and regret letting them know how important they are to you.