What do you think of when you think about your parents? Some of us immediately think of Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. This is because those are the two days out of the year that we really focus on our parents and all they have done for us.
It’s easy to take them for granted sometimes. We all get busy and have families and responsibilities we are committed to. Still, it is important to let our parents know how much we love them, care for them, and still value their input in our lives. As we all know, they won’t be here forever.
If you’re not sure where to start in what to say to your parents, here are some suggestions to get you started.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother-which is the first commandment with a promise- “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy a long life on earth.” Ephesians 6 (NLT)
1. "I love you"
These three words are so important. Sometimes it’s so ingrained in us how much our parents love us, because that is all we hear our whole lives. But do they know how much we love them? It’s important to let them know.
The next time you have a minute, give them a call or stop by. If you stop by, pick up something on the way like a sweet treat or a bouquet of flowers. Let them know that there isn’t anything wrong, you just wanted to let them know how much you love them.
2. Thank them for having you
Let your parents know how grateful you are that they had you in the first place. Sadly, there are many circumstances in this world where people are not able to have children. Thank your parents for giving you life.
This is especially important if you didn’t have a good start to begin with. I was born three months premature and I’m extremely thankful my parents still had me. They stood by me through a very tumultuous first four and a half months of life.
3. Thank them for supporting you
Not only have they given you life, they have given you support all throughout your life. Let them know how much their support has meant to you. They have been your cheerleaders from your first step to graduating high school and beyond.
If you chose a profession that required a lot of studying and time away from your parents, thank them for supporting that. Perhaps you chose a more artistic pursuit and not once did they tell you to get a real job or that it would never work. That kind of support speaks volumes.
4. Thank them for praying for you
Prayer is a powerful thing and many people don’t realize how much their parents pray for them until they are grown. Thank your parents for standing in the gaps to intercede when you may have done something less than ideal. Also, thank them for praying for specific situations that arise.
Thank them for praying over everything from a child’s illness, to a job interview, to a big, life changing event. Thank them for praying for you in the trying times as well, like the loss of a job or other difficult situation.
5. Thank them for teaching you right and wrong
Thank your parents for being involved in your life and for teaching you right from wrong. Let them know how much their guidance has helped shape you. You may even want to give them an example of a decision you had to make and how their teachings helped you to make the right one.
Thank them for instilling this sense of right and wrong so that you can pass it down to your children.
6. Thank them for raising you with values
Let your parents know how much growing up with the knowledge of how to conduct yourself helped you. By raising you with Godly values, you knew what was and was not acceptable.
Once again, tell them of a situation where you had to rely on your values in deciding how to act or what to say. If you were able to influence someone with your values, tell them about that too.
7. Let them know you are glad they are your parents
Tell them how important it was growing up to know you could talk to them about things. Granted, there were times when you knew your decisions may have been less than desirable. However, still let them know how thankful you are that they were always there for you no matter what.
Let them know the things that made them great parents compared to some of your friends parents. Tell them how much you still value their input and opinion.
8. Ask how you can help them
Plan an afternoon and help them with whatever needs done. This could be anything from yard work or grocery shopping, to helping set up an electronic device. You are guaranteed to leave feeling reconnected and your parents will be grateful.
Thank them for all the times they helped you, no matter how big or small. Let them know you are humbled and grateful to help them with anything they need.
9. "How can I pray for you?"
Ask your parents how you can pray for them. They may be going through something you are not aware of and decide to open their heart and soul to you. Pray for things big and small.
Take it a step further and block out a time each week to come talk and pray with them. Schedule family dinner with them once a week and spend time in prayer afterwards. If you have a flexible schedule or work for yourself, plan on having coffee and prayer time with your parents in the mornings once or twice a week.
10. "Let’s get together"
This will definitely warm your parents hearts. Plan one day a week where you get together. Go to lunch, take in a movie, or go to a special destination (museum, park, shopping center out of town).
You could even join them in their favorite hobby. They will love spending time with you and you may learn some things you never knew about them. No matter what you choose, your connection will definitely grow stronger.
Are you still a little uncertain about how to get started? Let’s pray.
Dear Lord,
Thank you for blessing me with great parents. I realize I get busy with my own responsibilities and sometimes take them for granted. I don’t mean to. Please help me find the time in my schedule to spend more time with them. Grace my lips with the words of appreciation that need to be spoken. Thank you for blessing us with each other. In Your name I pray. Amen.
Carrie Lowrance is an author and a freelance writer. She has been featured on Huffington Post, She Is Fierce, Bon Bon Break, Positive Fountain, etc. She is also the author of three books of poetry and one children’s book, Don’t Eat Your Boogers (You’ll Turn Green). She writes her own child care blog at carrielowrance.com.
Image courtesy: ©Thinkstock/Kikovic
Publication date: July 17, 2071