Lately, I’ve really been thinking about how important it is to respect and love your parents while you can because so many people don’t have that privilege anymore. How we need to care for them as they get older, even if they didn’t always care for us just right- so that we don’t live a life of regret later. Let’s discuss.
Respect & Love Your Parents While You Can
Earlier this week, a friend shared one of those trendy quote memes on Facebook. It said something like “love your parents because not everyone has that opportunity.” I was checking out the comments, and one conversation really stood out. I won’t share it word-for-word here because it was on a private page, but I’ll give you the gist since it inspired me to write this post.
Basically, friend A (we’ll call her Sue) made a comment about how her mom makes it so hard to care for her because her beliefs are so fundamentally offensive to Sue. She said that while she’ll always love her mom, she just “can’t deal with her,” so they don’t speak. Friend B (we’ll call her Betty) replied with a heartbreaking comment. She said that she empathized with Sue because she stopped talking to her dad for the same reason: a major difference in political opinions.
Then came the heartbreaking part. Betty said she’ll regret it for the rest of her life because her dad died earlier this year. She never got the chance to make things right. Never got the chance to care for her dad the way he cared for her when she was little. She’ll never have that opportunity again, just like the quote said.
We truly never know how much time we have left
I’ve said it so many times in the past, but it bears repeating -we truly have no idea of just how long we’ll have with our parents. This last year has really proven that beyond a doubt. Way too many kids- both young and old- were forced to say goodbye to mom and dad long before they were ready (although we’re never truly ready). For those who made the most of the time with their parents, at least they’ll always have those memories to hold onto. Sadly, way too many now live like Betty, with regret over the things left unsaid, the time left unspent, the hugs left ungiven.
It’s easy to respect and love our parents when everything is great between us. If you get along with them, caring for them really doesn’t take much effort. It’s not even something you think about, something you need to be reminded to do. You just do it, as naturally as breathing.
What if everything isn’t great, though? Maybe, like Sue and Betty, you clash with them over politics, religion, or other major fundamental issues. Perhaps you’ve never gotten along with them in the first place. What if caring for them isn’t really something that comes naturally to you?
If that’s the case…, do it anyway. I know, that sounds like such a dismissive thing to say, so let me elaborate a bit.
Care for Your Parents Even If They Didn’t Always Care For You
Last year, I shared a list of duties that we have toward our parents when they get older, and some of the comments were heartbreaking to me. A few readers pointed out that they never received care and love from their parents when they were younger, so why should they give it now that their parents are older?
I want to make excuses for their parents because it’s hard for me to fathom not being there for my own children. To say, “Oh, well their generation was different,” or “maybe they did the best they could in difficult circumstances.” The truth is there’s no excuse that will bring them comfort, that will make it okay. There’s very little more painful in this world than feeling like your own mom or dad abandoned you or didn’t really love you. So how on earth can I say “care for them anyway” with a straight face?
It has nothing to do with them and everything to do with you
Here’s the thing: caring for those parents- those who never cared for you- has nothing to do with helping them and everything to do with helping yourself. For your own peace of mind, do it so that you never have to live with regret. Because even if you think you don’t give two hoots about those people who weren’t there for you, when they’re gone you may feel differently. By then, it’ll be too late.
A friend of mine thought she didn’t care a shred about her father. He was never there for her a day in her childhood. In fact, he only reached out after she was an adult. She thought that right up until the day he died. Heck, she thought it for over a decade after that. Then, one day out of the blue, she suddenly did care. Of course, it was way too late by then.
I’m not saying you have to forgive your parents. You should never force forgiveness. I’m not saying you have to act like the past never happened and that you’re not still angry. I’m just saying care for them. Care for them the way you wish they’d cared for you.
Do it so that 20, 30, even 40 years from now, you’re not sitting there on the other side of the equation with your kids caring for you, wishing that you’d maybe made more of the time you had left with them. I hope that makes sense. Basically, if you can’t do it for them, do it for yourself.
Pam says
My mom n I never saw eye to eye. She was always competing with me. Our views were different. If I would have to pick a friend she wouldn’t be it. We were SOOOO very different.
But when she became ill and needed help, I was there. I do not regret a moment. We continued to disagree and argue. But I know that she lived a better life than she would have on her own.
I did the same for my wicked mother in law. And surprise! We mended some fences.
No regrets.
Creative Healthy Family says
Thank you so much for sharing.
Joan says
It can be sometimes rough on a mom, too. I have a daughter who is so busy, when I asked her to do something together or just to say Hello. I get a mouthful, that I cause her shit and her friends unstand her when she is busy. Now she tells me I need therapy and she is not speaking to me until I van prove it….I was a good mom ,an at home mom and I’m also a home daycare provider. I love her to pieces, I think since I’m getting elderly, and a bit slower, not remembering things as well or text very good…I’m a bit embarrassing to her. I fear when I do get sick and if my husband is not around….not sure if she will help me…I do have a son who is out of state and talk alot and soon to fly to see him in another werk. Husband is not going and invited my daughter….she said No…..and is not talking to me…breaks my heart.
We had a great time as a child,….
I’m letting her be, but always say hello and I love u…no response. I’m not getting therapy..
Debbie says
lately I don’t get a long with my dad. I try , but either he ignores me or does other thing’s to irritate me. most my life growing up my mother was there for me she did everything! taught me about life , love, god. how to manage money and make wise choice . my dad was there but , he was not THERE! Now as an adult I see thing’s how they really are he not there not even as he should be for my mom. and I think that is where I don’t see eye to eye. my brother says don’t be disrespectful or one day I will regret it. yet ,he has his point of view and I have the real point of view . he wants to be right and no one has a say and I am persistent in letting my self me heard when he trys to tell me something it not for my own good it because he want to be right by not letting me speak or express my self. he says he tired of telling me but yet there was a time he was not nice to me either.
point is I don’t believe i’ll regrets it because I always repent when I am in the wrong. that’s the different between me and my dad and brother I can own up when I am out of line or wrong but they don’t with me and never say sorry.
my mom taught me to be wise and strong and not to argue and let thing’s go. she says there is ways to communicate I believe her and hold what she says dear.
I love my dad but I don’t like his ways in how he is towards me he never taught me anything never trys to make time he thinks because I am already an adult that I have my own life. he never trys to talk or make conversations like me and my mom have. I guess he’s more of with the man’s man? or maybe he don’t know how. he never even acknowklege my b day.
yes he is available when I need help and he has been there at times but through it all it was always my mom and God.
Wanda Cox says
🙏Great articles ❤️