Everybody has a slightly different relationship with their parents. Some people see their parents as wardens, or best friends, oppressors or guardians. Maintaining a strong relationship with your parents is not a one way street however. In exchange for taking care of us throughout our lives, parents deserve to know that we appreciate them. There are of course a plethora of ways that you can do this, and I don’t mean by way of elaborate gestures, but making little efforts that show your parents that you truly appreciate everything they’ve done for you.
Here are ten you can start doing right now:
1. Communicate when you disagree
No matter how good your relationship with your folks is, chances are you will still have arguments from time to time. Sometimes our parents could have outdated views or may just struggle to see the perspective of a different generation to theirs. What’s important when entering this sort of conflict, no matter how small is to remember basic respect even during these arguments. Remember that you may have to do some work to get them to see your side, and avoid just getting angry at them. Who knows, you may even gain some perspective too.
2. Ask them about themselves.
As much as at times parents can feeling overbearing by checking in on us often, we know that it means that they love us. This is not just a trick that they get to pull however, and making sure to ask your parents about their lives when next you speak is a sure-fire way to show them that you care about them and appreciate them in your life. Showing concern for what’s happening to them shows that they’re in your heart and mind.
3. Give them a call.
In fact, why wait for the next time they call you to ask how they’re doing? Pick up the phone now! If you’re on the other side of the world, you can hop onto Skype or Zoom and see their beautiful faces in no time. Even the simple gesture of making that call to them just to catch up and hear from them will speak volumes.
4. Ask for advice.
When you’ve been through what our parents have, or had the same amount of life experience as them, you want to pass on that knowledge to your children, no matter what age they are. Coming to your parents for advice shows them not only that you appreciate the advice itself, but that you appreciate the life they’ve had to lead to have those experiences. Most parents love giving advice. When you ask for it, it’s an even sweeter gift.
5. Gratitude- Say thanks every time.
It can be all too easy to simply take what our parents do for us for granted. For many, throughout most of our lives we’ve received food, shelter, even money from our parents, but it can be quick before these things are just taken as a given. It’s essential to let them know that you appreciate and notice every time they give something to you or do something for you. It costs you nothing, and “thank you” is literally the simplest way to show appreciation.
6. Remember the special days.
You don’t need it to be a special day to make your folks feel special. That said, when the special days do roll around such as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, their birthdays and anniversaries, you can always go a little harder than they expect to make it memorable. Do at least one thing to surprise them. Arrange a scavenger hunt, or do a little extra research on that special gift. It doesn’t have to be spending more money on them, but putting in a little extra effort to make those days that are dedicated to them feel remarkable.
7. Make their gifts special.
Following on from the previous point, you don’t have to wait for Mother’s day to do something special for your Mom. Nor do you have to empty your pockets to show her that you appreciate her. Pick up some flowers “just ’cause.” Next time you plan to visit, bake her favourite cookies. Put a little extra thought in whenever the opportunity arrises, or, create the opportunity.
8. Help them out.
Most of us wouldn’t be where we are without the help of our parents. This is yet another thing that doesn’t have to go only one way. Offer to help clean, cook, take out the trash, whatever you can do to make their lives a little easier will go a long way to showing them how much you appreciate them.
9. Make time for them.
In the hustle and bustle of the daily grind, it’s all too easy to forget the people whose presence in our lives have always been a given. Be sure to carve some time out, whatever you can spare to check in with your folks. If you can manage a visit, great. If you can’t, make it a five-minute call every so often to show them that you’re making room for them in your schedule.
10. Tell them you love them.
As with spending time together, this is an easy one to take for granted. You may have spent your childhood with you and your parents saying that you love each other. Or, possibly this could have dropped off in adulthood, a trend which is all too common. As awkward as it can feel to say out loud, those three words can mean the world to a parent who has dedicated much of their personal effort to your happiness. It’s not that hard, see, I’ll do it right now.
Hey Mom, bet you didn’t expect to see this at the end of an article, but I just wanted to say that I love you.- Your son.
Wow, that was so easy, now it’s your turn.
How do you let your parents know that you appreciate them?
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