Giving back to your parents is probably the sweetest and the most fantastic thing you could do for them. It is an act of letting them know that you have matured as an individual.
There are many ways to give back to your parents, such as hiring landscapers to fix their backyard or housekeepers to do their cleaning. These are instant presents or even surprises that say this is your time to take care of them. Here are ways you can show your appreciation to your parents:
1. Buy their groceries
It may sound simple, but spending on their groceries can be a great deal for your parents, especially those who have retired. This shows that you can be responsible for their food and their expenses at home. Buying their groceries and choosing to buy healthy food indicates that you are concerned with what they put in their body. It makes your parents think that you want them to enjoy their lives with an equally healthy lifestyle.
2. Spa Day
This may sound a bit cliché, but taking them out to unwind and relax means you want to take away their stress. A day at the spa means they could rejuvenate and loosen up for a bit. Going to spa’s can get a bit pricey; there’s always another alternative like creating a spa experience at home.
3. Cook for them
Cooking a special meal for your parents is a sweet gesture any child could ever make. It is not easy to prepare a regular meal, especially if you do not cook. Many self-help cooking videos are readily available on the internet; it would only take a few minutes to watch it before cooking or even cooking while watching it. They would appreciate your cooking because it comes from the heart.
4. Take them out to the beach every summer
Spending time with your parents is the most rewarding thing you could do for them. You give them your time and attention despite your busy schedule. Going with them on vacation means reminiscing the good old days when they take you on vacations.
5. Pay for Dinner
When you go out with your parents, paying the bill shows them that you are a responsible adult and care about them. This means that you have money to spend on your own and money to spare for the little things that you could enjoy with them.
Remember when you were a kid, and they would go out of their way to take you to your favorite fast-food chain? This gesture is the same as your childhood memory. It will show them that you remember the fun memories whenever you eat out. So, enjoy that pancakes from your favorite diner or that lobster meal that your parents enjoy.
6. Hug Your Parents
Whether you are a kid or an adult, hugging your parents is the warmest gesture of affection and love. It is a simple reminder that you love them, you miss the warmth of their embrace, and that you are still their baby, no matter what your age is. There is nothing sweeter than an embrace from a son or daughter.
7. Surprise them
Give them tickets to their favorite artist’s concert or tickets to their favorite baseball team when they play. You can also take them to a monster truck game or that vintage car exhibit near you. If you have a bigger budget, why not buy that fabulous necklace your mom has always been eyeing or buy your dad that watch he always wanted but never bought. The surprise that you give them, be it a grand vacation, a luxury watch, or a simple task like taking out the trash or cleaning the house – will bring joy to your parents.
8. Accompany them whenever they go for their doctor’s appointment
This is the best way to tell them that you support them in anything they will face medically. Any health issue that your parents face or are currently facing can be stressful and tiresome. Listening and following the doctor’s advice is the best gesture that will assure them that you care.
They need that emotional support as they hear anything from their doctor. Be there for them because they will need it, whether they have any medical issues or not. Supporting your parents means you want them to live longer so you can spend more time with them.
9. Always show gratitude
Respecting your parents is one way of showing that you care for them. As an adult, there are times that you forget this simply because you think you have earned enough knowledge and you are wiser. Pride destroys any relationship. Even if you have aged or matured, it still does not mean that you can make your parents feel unnecessary. Always thank your parents for anything and everything that they have given you. You are only a kid once, but you will always be their baby. If they still like cooking for you, let them. It is their way of showing that they love you. Let them know that you are continually thankful for having them.
10. Always make time for them
As you grow and become a responsible individual, there are things that you try to achieve based on your own pace. It doesn’t matter if you may have your own family, moved to your new home, or live two or three states away from your parents; you should always have time for them.
The technology today allows video calls instead of analog phone calls. Teach them how to video call and be patient with them, especially for the older ones. Make sure that they know how to use their phones or gadgets so that they can still spend time with you anywhere you are. Technology bridges the gap – being miles away from each other, so make use of it.
These things, no matter how simple they all sound, will surely make your parents proud. It shows how you have grown to be a fine person. This will also let them know that you can be a good parent to your child when you have your own family.
Giving them your time and attention sometimes is the best thing that you could give your parents. Keeping those values they taught you when you were younger is gratifying for them as your parents. In the end, treating them with the same care, love and affection they used to treat you is the best gift that you could give back to your parents.
